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roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
I am not going to finish this one. It's fine, and a unique historical perspective. Steffy and her family are pioneers in the Kentucky frontier during the American Revolution. I hadn't read a book before where the Revolution was almost a side story, and I really appreciated that realistic perspective on what life was actually like. The historical details were really interesting. Their frontier experience was enough difference from the stories I've read of covered wagons to intrigue me, and the anti-literacy attitude of the father would make many middle grade readers think about what they called and why. I think if I had been able to just sit down and read this, I would have been interested enough to finish, but that's not the way my time is right now, and I'm bored with trying to chip away at it. Also, opposition to slavery was clearly connected to the desire to be free from government rule, and the perspective toward Native Americans is atrocious. I know it's a fine line in historical fiction to present characters accurately without supporting their racism, but this book doesn't even try.
ottblover91's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nik_payne's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.5
kfry83's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
cristomattic's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
triscuit807's review
4.0
4 stars edging towards 4.5 stars. Is this a book for every reader? No, probably not. Many will have trouble with the dialect (although these same readers would enjoy a Scots/Irish dialect in a movie), others won't bother to check word definitions (frow, creel, piggin, puncheon - words which more fully immerse the reader into the story), more won't understand the homesteading or wilderness lore. But for those with an interest, it's a fantastic read. Things that amaze me about reading about the pioneers (whether Appalachian, plains, or Oregon Trail): the children are barefoot most of the year, people ate what today would be considered an unhealthy diet (so few vegetables and greens, lots of salt), and people didn't blink at travelling distances by foot. The Venable family leaves the Carolina back country in early spring and walks through the Appalachian wilderness to the new lands in Kentucky by May: father, mother, 15-16 yr old boy, 13 yr old girl, 10 yr old boy, 5 yr old boy, and 3 yr old girl, all with their assorted sheep, pigs, cow, and horse (which carries the rooster and chickens). This ability constantly amazes my modern mind even though I know people used to walk 50 mile distances as a normal weekly thing. Jonathan Venable has the same itchy feet as Pa Ingalls and hauls his family out of more settled lands in search of elbow room. There is conflict between the father who is self taught and made (frontiersman) and eldest son who is interested in education not the wilderness, but is also interested in joining the patriots and fighting the British. The POV character is the elder girl, Stephanie, who seems to be the father's favorite. The story isn't greatly involved and focuses on what it took to settle in the wilderness and the worries the family faces from British backed Indians, land speculators, and the need to harvest enough food for the approaching winter. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge and my Newbery Challenge (Honor 1952)
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