Reviews

Tisha: The Wonderful True Love Story of a Young Teacher in the Alaskan Wilderness by Robert Specht

ohcaldwell's review

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

askmashka's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

llkendrick's review against another edition

3.0

This is a true story about a 20 yr old woman who went to teach in a small community in Alaska in the 1920s. I really enjoyed learning about Alaska during that time and had no idea about the strong prejudices towards Indians. I liked that she stood up for what she believed in and made a difference to those people. I didn't like where the book ended at all. It really only covered a year of her life and I wanted more details on the remainder of her life.

felinity's review against another edition

4.0

"Tisha" is the story of a young, idealistic teacher who goes into the Alaskan wilderness. Although the land is harsh, the people can be friendly, as long as you're the right race. She comes up against racial prejudices affecting some of her pupils as well as some of her friends, but does not let herself slip into the same narrow-minded attitude, instead trying to change how other people think.

Not quite as inspiring, to me, as "Mrs. Mike", but a lovely true story nonetheless.

alwaysarchery's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

marlo_c's review against another edition

3.0

History, adventure, and heart. This was an enjoyable book, made more so since it is based on a true story. The most surprising part for me was the racism Tisha encountered. Unfortunately, wherever there are people, there are heart problems. Eye-opening and interesting, this is a solid read.

*For those that care, there is a smattering of foul language all throughout the book.

kath61's review against another edition

3.0

A descriptive book that does an excellent job of portraying the hard lifestyle of pioneers in Alaska. Much of the writing was cinematic and I am sure I would enjoy a screen version of the story. Unfortunately, for some reason I was not truly engaged by the characters and much of the prose was slow moving even when the events being described were exciting. Worth a read though.

chioalum93's review

5.0

Having taught in remote Alaska, I was excited to read this book. Such a wonderful story. Sad in parts, angered me in other parts, and made me want to cry at moments, but by far one of the best stories I've ever read.

yareader868's review against another edition

4.0

another 11th grade read that i loved!!! you feel like you are in alaska going thru all the fear and excitement she is going thru.

sssnoo's review

4.0

There is so much to unpack in this book, but one thing’s for sure - Ann Hobbs Purdy was one hell of a woman. She was born a year after my grandmother was born, and ended up in a remote settlement of Alaska at age 19. And from there on her life gets exciting. Tisha is labeled as an “as told to” memoir, but the book’s plot seems to also have elements of fiction. But by all accounts I could find elsewhere it is pretty exact in its important details.

This book is for lovers of historical fiction/memoirs set in the US western frontier. The intricate details of daily life and culture in this remote settlement make it extraordinary. No one without first hand knowledge of the region could hand down such a complete and mesmerizing story. The afterward written by Mrs. Purdy was heartwarming, especially after all the anti-native racism of the region/era depicted in the book.


Words are eluding me as I try to describe this book, mostly because I experienced it emotionally. It would be extremely satisfying to sit at a table sharing tea with Ann.