Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

On Writing, Poetry, and the Prairie: An Interview with Caroline Starr Rose

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A note from Jamie: Today’s post is the first in a new book series I’m starting on Simple Homeschool–For the Love of Reading. Enjoy!

I first met Caroline Starr Rose almost 12 years ago when we both lived in the Washington, DC Area. We became close friends as we grew our families and our writing careers simultaneously.

Over the years Carrie taught me a lot–especially about being vulnerable and putting yourself out there as a writer. Visit her blog, Caroline by line, to get to know her better.

I recently got to chat with Caroline about her debut novel-in-verse for tweens and teens. May B. is a frontier story set in 1870s Kansas.

I’m so happy to feature my dear friend on Simple Homeschool today!

Check out the end of the post to see how you can win a copy.

An Interview with Caroline Starr Rose

1. Can you give us an overview of your book and the historical context of the novel?

Here’s a description from Random House Children’s Books:

I watch the wagon
until I see nothing on the open plain.
For the first time ever,
I am alone.

“Mavis Elizabeth Betterly, or May B. as she is known, is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead, “Just until Christmas,” says her Pa. Twelve-year-old May wants to contribute, but it’s hard to be separated from her family by fifteen long, unfamiliar miles.

Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned to the oncoming winter, trapped all alone in a tiny snow-covered sod house without any way to let her family know and no neighbors to turn to. In her solitude, she wavers between relishing her freedom and succumbing to utter despair, while trying to survive in the harshest conditions.

Her physical struggle to first withstand and then to escape her prison is matched by tormenting memories of her failures at school. Only a very strong girl will be able to stand up to both and emerge alive and well.”

I wrote May for a number of reasons — my love for Laura Ingalls Wilder (and the desire to create my own strong pioneer girl), my curiosity about how learning disabled children would have fared in an era when their struggles would have been misunderstood, and the challenge of writing about solitude.

2. What is a novel in verse and how did you decide to create your debut work in this style?

A verse novel is a story told through unrhymed poetry. May B. didn’t start as verse. My first few attempts at writing the story felt distant and lifeless.

It wasn’t until I returned to my research (and specifically a book called Read this Only to Yourself: The Private Writings of Midwestern Women, 1880-1910) that I saw the patterns these women’s writings had in common: terse language, stark circumstances, a matter-of-fact tone.

It was as if the heavens had opened for me, and I was able to climb inside May’s world, using the voices of the women I’d encountered through research.

3. How did your life path lead you to writing as a career?

I’m a former middle school English and social studies teacher and have been an avid reader since childhood. Writing books was always a dream, one I started to take seriously in 1998.

I had no children at the time and was on summer vacation — there really was no excuse not to give it a try. By the end of the summer, I had the first draft of a (horrendous!) children’s novel about the Oregon Trail.

I revised during the school year and began contacting editors the following spring. This first manuscript helped set the pattern I was to continue until 2009: writing, revising, then sending out query letters to editors I hoped might be interested in my writing. May B. was my fourth novel and eleventh book overall (I write picture books, too).

4. What other books would you recommend to homeschooling parents looking to create a unit study of frontier life at the time of May B.?

5. Do you have any advice about how to nurture a love of writing within our students?

It is so essential to give children the freedom to experiment with words. Allow kids to write things you’ll never see (maybe have them keep a nature journal or a reader’s response booklet as they read their favorite books).

Give them a place that is a spelling and grammar-free zone. And most importantly, give them opportunities to write about things of their own choosing.

Two things I firmly believe: Children can’t find their writing voice unless they are given permission to explore a lot of different ways to write. Also, as any writer will tell you, not everything we create is meant to be taken to the final draft stage. While it is important to teach children the steps of the writing process (brainstorming, rough draft, editing and revision, final draft), not every piece of writing needs to be taken this far.

And one more thing: Pick up a copy of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick and watch your young writers blossom.

Giveaway

Caroline is giving away a copy of May B. along with an accompanying teacher’s guide to five Simple Homeschool readers!

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post, answering this question: What is the most recent book you’ve read with your child?

If you’re reading this in an email, you must come over to the blog to comment.

If you’d like two additional ways to enter the giveaway, here’s how:

Additional Entries

1. Watch the May B. trailer embedded above. (Email readers will need to click through to the blog or watch here.) Then leave another comment letting me know you watched it.

2. ‘Like’ May B. and Simple Homeschool on Facebook. Then come back here again and leave a comment, telling me you did so.

This giveaway has now ended. Thanks for entering!

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martha Artyomenko

    The most recent book I read with my children was Treasures of the Snow. We also have been reading a Geronimo Stilton book for my silly boys at bedtime.
    Your book looks great! I have thought of writing something similar with local history in it as many people don’t know the local history here!
    Martha Artyomenko’s latest post: Books on my list to be read

    • Caroline Starr Rose

      Martha, I remember seeing a movie version of Treasures in the Snow as a girl. For years, I asked people if they’d seen this movie with a boy, kittens, and a terrible accident, and no one knew what I was talking about.

      Until a dear friend recommended Treasures of the Snow for our book club. It’s a beautiful story, isn’t it?
      Caroline Starr Rose’s latest post: MAY Days #3: Launch Party Pictures

  4. Jill

    The most recent book I have read with my children is Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley. My daughter sat next to me and rubbed my back as I cried over it. We’re also listening to the final chapter of Charlotte’s Web in the car. I need to find an errand to run tomorrow so we can finish it.

  5. lauren

    my 6 and 4 year old and i are reading through the doctor dolittle series and laughing all the way! i was surprised at the depth of language in those books– but anytime you have a variety of animals who talk they will forgive a few over their head words. 🙂

  8. Cindy

    I just watched the trailer for May B. I can’t wait to read this book with my daughters – one of whom is learning disabled.

  10. Jenn

    I am just now reading The Long Winter to my 6-yr-old daughter (and my 9-yr-old son, who listened to the whole Little House series in1st grade, can’t resist sneaking in and listening again!). We feel a bond with Laura, as we experience our own “Long Winter” here in Alaska!

  13. Kelly S

    My daughter and I are reading Charlotte’s Web together.
    As a parent of a learning disabled child, I have often wondered how she would have coped years ago. I am looking forward to reading this book with my daughter.

  16. brooke

    as a midwestern born homeschooling mama with a love of laura ingalls i am very very interested in this! we are also working on creative writing. thanks so much for the giveaway!

  20. Nicole

    I haven’t read a chapter book with my little ones yet, and my older girls read alone. I love Laura Ingalls and anything pioneer. I’d love to win this to start our first read aloud together book. I’m more excited for me to read it than my kids 🙂

    I watched the video also…..so excited!
    Nicole’s latest post: Struggles

  22. Lucy Schramm

    My daughter and I are reading Little Women together and I just finished reading The Penderwicks to my son.

  23. Bella

    “26 Fairmount Avenue” by Tomie dePaola with my 7yo son. Can’t wait to read the 2nd book in the series now.

  24. Aja

    We just finished up Pinocchio. The kids cried when it was over. May B sounds interesting. We’ll definitely be adding it to our list!

  25. MrsH

    The most recent book we read together was an abridged version of Little Women, and the Little Women Book (full of activities!). We’re about to start a 4 week study of moving West, so what a appropriate timing to learn about this delightful-looking novel. Thanks for sharing it!
    MrsH’s latest post: No time off for moms…

  27. Kristina Best

    I am a horrible mom lol I haven’t read a book in a while with my sons so I don’t remember. Life gets away from me. I think I shall start again tonight. Thank you for reminding me that its important.

  28. Lisa H

    We just finished “the magician’s nephew” and have moved onto “the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe”. Love the narnia books! 🙂

    Will definitely be reading May B even if I don’t win this giveaway!
    Lisa H’s latest post: Happy Thanksgiving!

  30. Kari

    We read The Smuggler’s Treasure (a American girl historical fiction)…and my daughter loved it!! This looks like a wonderful book as well, thanks so much!! 🙂

  33. Amy

    I am homeschooling my 3 girls (13, 10 and 8) while living in Swaziland, Africa. Right now we are reading Little House in the Big Woods with my youngest, although everyone seems to enjoy listening in!

    I would love to do a history unit on the Frontier/Pioneer era with the girls…. We are spending a lot of time watching the Little House on the Prairie TV series and I have always loved stories of “pioneers”…even still!

    Looking forward to reading May B. As the mother of a special needs child, am interested to see how the learning disabled aspect is worked in to the story!

    Thanks for a great website and this introduction to a wonderful author and book.

  37. Kim

    My husband just finished reading Wild Stories by Colin Thompson to my almost 7 and almost 11 year old boys for bedtime. They found it hilarious. Each chapter can be its own little story (I think he originially wrote them that way).

  38. Monique

    My 6 & 8 year old kids are really enjoying the Little House series and I’d love to explore May B as well as have a teacher’s guide to go along. Thank you!

  39. Margo

    I have just finished reading Mary Emma and Co to my crew although I read lots and lots of picture books to my younger ones. The next one will be Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

  41. Margo

    I just watched the trailer. Looks like a wonderful book. My eldest loves this era so it will definitely hit our to buy list!

  43. Liz M

    I loved the original Pippi Longstockings when I was a kid so it was so fun to read it with my own kids recently. My 10-year old especially got the humor and laughed hard at Pippi’s antics with me! 🙂

  47. jess

    I’m working on the Narnia books with my boys (the Further Up, Further In unit study) and The Big Woods with one daughter (the Prairie Primer unit study) — this book would be very timely for us! Thanks for the opportunity to win May B.!

  49. jess

    Just watched the trailer — the music sounds hopeful, and strong, though the words sound sad and scary!

  51. Amanda

    My boys are 3 and almost 2. The last book we read together was Roly Poly Pangolin, a book we’ve read a million times. They love it!

  53. Stephanie

    I watched the trailer. I think my oldest would enjoy this. Excited to read it whether we win or not!

  56. Valerie

    The most recent book I’ve read with my 8-year old daughter is A Spiderweb for Two (the last of the Melendy series) by Elizabeth Enright. We are reading the Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by Milne with my 5-year old.

    My daughter loves pioneer books, dress-up, etc., so this book (and the others recommended) look wonderful for us.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  57. Becky Jones

    The last book my 12 year old and I read together was The Witch of Blackbird Pond. We would be soooo tickled to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the giveaway-how nice! Blessings!

  58. Laura

    My daughter is still young – turning two in February – so the last book we read together was When the Elephant Walks.

  60. Becky Jones

    We just watched the trailer 3 times… 🙂 we wish it was longer-it is so well done! Makes me want to go out in the snow to our nearest bookstore and grab a copy!! 🙂

    • Caroline Starr Rose

      Becky, it’s funny you say this. I told my trailer designer I didn’t want anything past 30 seconds. I figured short and sweet was the way to go. There are a lot of different types of book trailers out there (even ones where the story is acted out) and many I’ve enjoyed.

      What I’ve found I’ve preferred, though, is the quick impression, hopefully leaving my audience with piqued interest instead of overstaying my welcome.
      Caroline Starr Rose’s latest post: MAY Days #3: Launch Party Pictures

  63. Delene

    It looks like a fabulous book. The most recent book we have read is ‘Boxcar Children’ which the kids enjoy.

  65. LisaK

    The last book we read together was The House of Sixty Fathers. We read The Sign of the Beaver before that and would love to read how May B survives!

  68. Kristi McFarland

    I just watched the trailer for May B. As I was doing so, my son walked in and heard the music from the trailer playing. He is 13 and commented, “Ooh, that is good music, what is it?” It is a compelling video. I explained that the book is written in unrhymed verse. He said, “Oh, like Beowulf.” I love how literature can bridge the gap between old and new!

  69. Catherine

    We would love to have a copy of May B at our house! We just finished reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret together as a family, Sign of the Beaver with our 9-year-old and the Kirsten American Girl series with our 6-year-old.

  70. Heather

    We all read “The Toothpaste Millionaire” together and really enjoyed it. I am so glad I saw this post today. Caddie Woodlawn was my favorite book as a child and I had completely forgotten about it!

  71. Heather

    I just watched the trailer with my twelve year old and we think the book looks wonderful especially right now. We have snow!

  73. Brandi

    The last book that we read (just a few minutes ago :)) was “How do you lift a lion” by Robert Wells. It is a book about pulleys, levers, and wheels and my kids love it.

  74. Amy

    Right now my kids and I are reading Hop It. A book on rabbits. We have been reading little house books to them for years and they love them and that time period. They would love this book. I just “Like” you on fb.

  78. Lisa

    My son and I are reading “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George. He really enjoys reading about independant, spirited children trying to make a go of life on their own. I think he would he would love to read about May B!

    • Caroline Starr Rose

      I’ve had kids who’ve gone crazy for this book (though I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read it. Must remedy that). I, myself, am a huge Hatchet fan (as have been many of my students). Gary Paulsen’s book greatly influenced May B.

      There’s something about survival tales — kids facing the world on their own and succeeding — that really empowers children.
      Caroline Starr Rose’s latest post: MAY Days #3: Launch Party Pictures

  79. Wendi

    What a great book, I am so excited to read this book. My daughter is in a Literature Club with other girls in our homeschool group. They are all around the age of 11-13. They/we have read Little House on the Prairie and Caddie Woodlawn and enjoyed both of them. They/we read for January Escape From Warsaw (The Silver Sword) and they/we are currently reading The Little White Horse for Feb. I love that there is a teacher’s guide as we have a teaching time during their book club and formal tea time. We also teach a literary term and verse novel has never been taught yet. How exciting to discover a new term!!! In June we will be picking books for the next year so I am going to have to get this book and read it so I can confidently put it on our list of books to choose from. 🙂 Thank you for the review, the introduction to a new author, and the discovery of a great looking book.

  80. Wendi

    Loved having the trailer to watch. I will share it with my daughter during a break time this morning. What a great way to get her excited about a book.

  81. Tricia Widell

    I would love to win a copy. Right now I’m reading the Flat Stanley series to my son, age 6. I grew up loving the little house books & still love books about life on the prairie. May B. looks really good!

  85. teresa

    May B. sounds like a wonderful book! We read nightly, our latest books have been “Night of the Moonjellies”, “Inch by Inch”, “The Marvelous Mud Washing Machine”, “John Henry”, and a variety of easy readers about “Henry and Mudge” and “Mr. Putter and Tabby”.

  94. Carmen

    We read The Foot Book (Dr Seuss) – well, as much as we could read. She doesn’t sit still for long.

  97. Steph

    My parents read Little House on the Prairie out loud to me growing up and I’m excited to do the same with my daughter when she’s a little older. It sounds like May B. would be a great addition. The most recent book I read to my daughter was a version of the Three Little Pigs.
    Steph’s latest post: The Importance of Words

  99. amy lockwood

    The last book I read with my kids was “Cameron Townsend”. Even though it was long and serious, the kids still gave it five stars (our highest rating)!

  100. amy lockwood

    I just watched the trailer. This looks like a great book! My 12 and 14 yo would probably really enjoy it!

  101. Lisa

    wow! this is a very exciting giveaway!! the last book we read together was Wildwood! it is SO nice to share stories together as a family.

  102. Lisa

    watched the trailer! i look forward to reading this book! putting it on our list of must reads for 2012! thanks so much! xx

  103. Maia

    I loved reading and writing as a kid and secretly dream of writing some day! This book looks excellent! We are currently reading The Princess and the Goblin for homeschool read aloud time! 🙂

  109. Jessica

    This book really sounds fascinating! I am currently reading Little House in the Prairie to my daughters and Little Men to my son. They love read aloud time!

  112. Hannah

    Well, I’m currently reading Tree in the Trail with my children, and just started Very Funny, Elizabeth! (an American Girl book). We got an audiobook from the library called “The Porcupine Year,” by Louise Erdrich, which may also interest readers with an inclination toward the American frontier. We enjoyed reading her book “The Birchbark House” a couple years ago.

    Would love to read May B.! It sounds almost like Hatchet, for girls! 🙂
    Hannah’s latest post: A Day in the Life 2012

  114. Nikki

    We are reading “By the Shores of Silver Lake” right now. We are making our way through the entire “Little House” series this school year.

  118. Lawana Gray

    She read Norma Jean Jumping Bean to me the other night. We’ve just moved and still trying to unpack stuff to read together! This would be great!

  122. Christina Nicoll

    Hi Jamie,

    First I wish to thank you for your blog. Your blog has helped me to become more relaxed in my homeschooling endeavor, where I once used to be very stressed.
    Once again this post has helped me! It wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I learned and understood how to write. The Structure of writing…Without it, I would have flunked college writing.. The current curriculum I have been using for my oldest 11 yr old daughter teaches the writing structure at the 3rd grade level and continues to use it throughout Language arts…. I am glad for this, but because of my bad experience of learning almost TOO late, I have been a bit forceful with it. This has caused me to fear that I will scare my daughter away from the joys that writing can give to its author. While I love to read, I dislike writing. My husband loves to do both. My daughter enjoys to read and can read anything we hand to her. I just hope that her joy of reading will lead her to wanting to write for her own enjoyment. Your comment about the details/steps of writing once again helped me to realize that while they are important, they are not necessary for everything written. I need to to just SIMPLY allow my daughter to write, and at times enjoy the creativity behind the written thoughts rather than the details of structure. This is encouragement for me, to encourage my daughter.
    Thank You.
    I also watched the trailer, and wish to know more!
    I follow you on FB already.
    and am liking May.B
    I will also look for the mysteries of Harris Burdick.

  123. Diane

    The most recent book I read with my two youngest homeschooled grandchildren was, Life-Size Zoo, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. I also recommend, A Material World by Peter Menzel for older children.

  130. marta

    Well… I am excited to say that we haven’t read any yet because now we get to start something new. From what I gather from the posts and the interview, something very good:)

  137. Michelle

    My son, who is three, and I have been reading “The Polar Express” and “The Blues of Flats Brown” in the evenings. To the point of May B., interestingly, I recently finished “The Personal History of Rachel DuPree” by Ann Weisgarber, which sounds like the adult version of May B. I have added all of Rose’s recommendations to my Wish List at amazon. They look like excellent titles for our growing library.
    Michelle’s latest post: New Theme: Fresh & Clean

  139. Trisha

    I already like Simple Homeschool on FB and just “liked” May B.

    Reading “The Long Winter.”

    Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  144. lacey P

    We just read (5 year old daughter) Where the Wild things are and are reading Where the sidewalk ends.

  149. Pamela

    We read a ton of picture books today, including “The Tall Book of Nursery Tales” and “Puzzle Palace” (an Usborne series) and a bunch from “The 20th Century Children’s Book Treasury”… my 3 1/2 year old loves to read!
    Pamela’s latest post: Menu Plan January 16 – 20

  154. Karina

    I don’t have any children, but I’m currently reading The Shakespeare Stealer with my 6th graders. 🙂

  155. Jasie

    I have two toddlers (and baby on the way). Tonight before bed we read: a little Hello Kitty book, a picture book from the library called “I’d really like to eat a child” (it’s about a crocodile), and one of the Just So Stories by Kipling.

  156. Jasie

    I watched the trailer and will also let my mom – a grade school librarian in Kansas – know about the book.

  157. Michelle

    We are reading the fourth (? I think) book of the Unicorn Chronicles–The Last Hunt. We have read the previous books as well. My son (age 8) likes the excitement and the fast paced nature of the story lines, my daughter (age 7) likes the fantasy aspect of the books, and I like seeing how the story line has “matured” through the books. In this last book the author now alternates between several points of view and we are keeping track of several different characters as we go through the book. In the first book there was just one character’s point of view. Also I like how the books are sometimes “predictable” and I can suggest to my children what might happen next. They are fascinated as to how I might know that and I can explain how the author hinted at the event. . .We all love to read together. Today, for language arts they read from Benny and Penny graphic story, alternating the parts. . .it was a lot of fun. Now I should move on to plays for them . . .

  167. Beth

    I watched the trailer–it was so well done! I’m not used to seeing trailers for books, but I really enjoyed it.

  168. Tracy C

    What an exciting give away. We are enamored with the Little House books and appreciate the additional ideas. Would love, love, love to win. Blessings,
    Tracy

  177. Cari

    Hi Jamie.
    Thanks so much for this post – and the start of the new book series on your blog! My older daughter and I just finished reading The Secret Garden. We’re now enjoying the radio theater production (produced by Focus on the Family).

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of May B. I know my daughter (and I) would both love ti.
    Cari’s latest post: Half Way Through Eight

  181. Betsy

    Hi! I also liked May B. and Simple Homeschool on Facebook! By the way, I’m really looking forward to reading this to my little dyslexic 8-year-old girl. She is quite the innovative pioneer herself. 🙂

  182. Anna

    Oh, my. Well, I have read a dozen books today, of all sorts. But the most recent book I have read “with” my kids- that is, for the first time, of my own interest- are the Enchanted Forest books. We have book four now, but I can’t sneak it away from my nine year old daughter.

    I also have to say, as excited as I am about the book I am more excited about Ms Rose’s encouragement and empowerment for writing!

  185. Dena

    I can’t see the trailer. 🙁 I never can see things like that from where I am. Can I be entered anyway? I would do it if I could!! It sounds like a great book.

  191. MJ

    What a wonderful giveaway! We just finished a second book in the Meg Mackintosh mystery series (Mystery of Camp Creepy and Mystery at the Medieval Castle). We are about to start the Mystery of the Curious Whale Watch. Phantom Tollbooth is on the list too—so many books so little time!!
    MJ’s latest post: Here

  202. Paula

    Oh, this looks great! We just finished the Little House series and are currently starting “The Rise & Fall of Mount Majestic”. My daughter loves the Ingalls (as do I) and I think she’d really enjoy this!

  204. Jennifer anderson

    I just watched the video. I am looking forward to reading the book! Thank you for sharing.

    Jennifer

  207. Brandi D.

    We are currently reading Erin Hunter’s “Rising Storm”, the 4th book of the Warriors series. All of my kids love it, but especially the 8-year-olds.

  212. Nancy Mosley

    We are reading an Animal Ark book called Labrador in the Leaves. My children love animals and have enjoyed these quick reads. We are also reading a Christopher Columbus book for our History.

  213. Nancy Mosley

    I watched the trailer. Very well done — the music is beautiful, the scenery and it captures your attention. Sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the chance to win.

  217. Jen

    We are currently reading Danger on Panther Peak, by Bill Wallace.
    Very nice video about May B.
    My daughter said it sounds sad. :{

  221. Alison

    We just finished reading Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody. It was good but my favourite is Little Britches by Ralph Moody. Great family read.
    aliben7 (at) gmail (dot) com

  223. Jen @ anothergranolamom

    I have enjoyed all of the other books you listed as a unit study with my kids, so I am sure I would enjoy this one as well. One of my favorite things about studying history from a child’s perspective is the independence that children had, and the huge contributions they made to family life. I can’t wait to read this book, and I love the cover!
    Jen @ anothergranolamom’s latest post: Book Recommendation and Book Club Ideas: Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

  229. birdy

    We just read the american girl series “Kaya” , about a native american indian girl from the Nez Perce tribe. We are getting ready to do a unit on the american girl “Kirsten”, who is from the pioneer times. Caroline Starr’s book sounds wonderful!! We would looove to read it!!!

  231. Nancy Wang

    I watched the trailer–how interesting! I am particularly intrigued by her writing it in free verse.

  237. Laura

    I’m reading a different book with each child – Little House in the Big Woods with our youngest, The Snow Treasure with our middle, & getting ready to start The Betsy-Tacy series with our oldest:)!

  239. mimi

    our recent finished book was the Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever and now we are nearly finished with Charlotte’s Web. Now that we are finally feeling like winter here in Minnesota, May B looks like the perfect read!

  241. Jocelyn

    My sweet girl will be 13 in a few weeks. This would be a wonderful birthday gift for her. We love reading about the pioneers.

  242. Jocelyn

    I watched the trailer and forgot to say in my first comment that we just read Help! I’m a Prisoner in the Library

  249. Jennifer R

    I would love to get this book! I watched the trailer and liked them both on facebook! Sounds like a wonderful book!

  251. Caroline

    We’re in picture-book season in our family right now, and the most recent new picture book is “One Bear Lost,” though we re-read lots of books each day! I also just started reading The Chronicles of Narnia to my toddler!

    Thanks for this kind opportunity and the interesting interview with Caroline.
    Caroline’s latest post: A Few Thoughts on Joy

  253. coleen

    My daughter wanted me to read her one of the Sesame Street Treasury books tonight and my son asked for one of our Magic School Bus books. Those were the end of the books requested today. 🙂
    coleen’s latest post: aslan

  256. Laura

    My daughter received the Magic Tree House book “Dogs in the Dead of Night,” finished it, then asked me to read it to her. She likes knowing what will happen before I do.

  258. Diane

    My daughter and I recently finished A Wrinkle in Time. Before that, it was The Chronicles of Narnia series.

  260. Jaime

    My 6-year-old has been reading me the Magic Tree House books over the past year. We’re now up to book #11. She reads to me at home, in the car, anywhere. But she won’t read it if I’m not there to enjoy it with her. It’s one book series that’s just between us.