Katie Willmarth Green

In a way, similar to the "Little House" books by Wilder, but perhaps more didactic. Green deliberately includes tales of the early history of the gold rush, Chinese workers, and logging in the Sierras, told either as current events in this book or as her father telling tales of when he first came west. Deborah is an only daughter and has a lively imagination so is able to entertain herself fairly well. She is assigned chores (good descriptions of the steps involved in doing laundry!). The book begins in town at the end of a school year. Then the family moves up to the summer logging camp. An orphaned girl is taken in briefly. The family is excited to visit the circus and the July 4 parade. The book has a sequel, and is marketed for age 12 & older. I'll try this on my 8-yr old homeschooled granddaughter, who also has a lively imagination.… (mehr)