Carole Estby Dagg

A super-sweet (undoubtedly too sweet for some tastes), based-on-real-events story about a family that moves to Alaska as part of a New Deal program to help families. I think 4th-6th graders who are into pioneer and adventure stories might enjoy this novel. Though it may not be a big deal, the main character's full name - Terpsichore (pronounced Terp-sick-er-ee) - may be a stumbling block. I listened to the audiobook, and I felt like I had to listen to that long, cumbersome name at least once a minute - sometimes more. It became annoying. I wonder if a young reader would stumble over it.… (meer)

SPOILERS

I purchased this book some time ago, both because of the gorgeous cover and because it was recommended by a favourite booktuber. I read the whole book today in just 4 hours. I loved it!!

The main thrust of this story is of a family moving from Wisconsin to Alaska in 1935 under one of President Roosevelts new programs. This family is the Johnson family with parents Harald and Clio. Clio comes from a fairly wealthy family, and she was named after one of the Greek Muses. She actually named her 3 daughters after other Greek Muses as well.

Clio was reluctant to move to Alaska and she constantly kept talking about how much she wanted to move back to Wisconsin. That was the only negative part of the story I did not like. Clio had agreed to give the family 18 months to survive before returning home.

When the family first moved to Palmer, Alaska, they had to live in a tent, but after a telegram to Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt about how the babies were dying and how there was no doctors or hospital, things soon began happening. A hospital was built, and then a school, and eventually a new church.

The characters were very real to me, especially the oldest daughter Terpsichore. Many of the events that happened in this story were based on real events.

I gave this book 5 stars which I do for any books that I absolutely CANNOT put down!!… (meer)

I really enjoyed this book--a lot. Based on a true story in the author's family history, this is an engaging romp across the country as a mother-daughter duo set out to walk thousands of miles on a quest to save the family farm. Their adventures are both serious and funny, and the author does a fabulous job of making you feel like you're right there in the story and time period. This is for young readers but I think grown-ups will enjoy it just as much. I'm glad the author persisted with her goal to bring this story to publication.… (meer)