Although actually inspired by the Canadian prairie, the intricately-detailed drawings in this book reminded me unmistakably of the four years I lived in Kansas. It really captures the unique beauty (and architecture and weather) of the prairies, and of real farm and ranch life, and would be a great addition to any Midwestern school or public library collection as well as the family's. Children (and adults!) in other parts of the country will find it fascinating, too -- the drawings are very authentic, detailed, and full of fun surprises that kids will love. Also, instead of representing each letter of the alphabet with just one word, it uses the letter several times throughout a complete, entertaining sentence. I plan to send it to all the children I know in other regions of the country, and perhaps even abroad! A lovely, very educational and fun book.

The illustrations that accompany each letter are amazing. The pictures are beautiful and will keep a child's attention while demanding the appreciation of an adult reader. The sentences using the alphabet letter give an accurate descrition of prarie life and go well with each beautiful picture.

This is a great book for Scandinavian recipes used EVERYDAY in America. There are tons of cookbooks for those special occasions, but the recipes which are hard to find are the ones that grandma didn't write down; she used them everyday; no need to refer to a recipe card! I found SIMPLE recipes that were used when the goal was to just feed the family, not to "entertain." But these are GOOD recipes, quite literally, like "Grandma used to make." If you're looking for a recipe that isn't fancy, but a family favorite, this is the place to find it!

You won't be sorry you picked up this book. I've read two other books by Carrie Young, and they are all just a treat to read. I grew up eating this kind of food, lovingly cooked by my Norwegian grandmother. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these recipes and accompanying stories. The stories are often hilarious, and they all ring true for those of us with similar backgrounds. I'm picking up another copy of this book as a birthday gift for a relative, I know she'll love it!!! A great book for Scandinavians, for persons from the midwest, or for anyone else!!!

The author talks about the life of the prairie dog, and how it interacts with humans in the modern West. The book is illustrated with gorgeous photographs. This book is an excellent purchase for a readable overview about these animals. If you want to know the full details on how prairie dogs get along with each other, check out the Hoogland book on social behavior of prairie dogs. It is great, but not as easy to read as this one!

Vividly illustrated with more than 100 color photographs, The Prairie Dog: Sentinel Of The Plains also contains highly informative text about the nature of these gregarious rodents, and how they function in the prairie ecology, from aerating the soil with their burrows to controlling invasive types of vegetation with their grazing. The delightful illustrations show the prairie dog's natural exuberance and social life, but the text warns that human poisoning and extermination has vastly reduced the prairie dog's numbers to the point where the species could be at risk. The Prairie Dog is very highly recommended for anyone with an interest in prairie ecology.

Katie was forced to marry her father's best friend, Ezra Russell, because Ezra (a childless widower) needed a woman to go west with him.

For as long as Katie knew she has been abused, first by her father, then by her drunk older husband. While riding out to the prairies of Nebraska, Indians ride down on their wagon. They should be on the reservation, but their leader, Tohave, likes to play tricks and tease the newcoming settlers.

Finding Katie in the back of the wagon, Tohave can't believe such a beautiful woman can be married to the ugly old man driving the wagon.

Ezra, thinks women are only for doing chores and making babies, not believing that a woman would actually want him on his own merits, he thinks he needs to abuse women to get what he wants.

Tohave is Katie's only hope, and only true love. They'll be together no mattter what hardship befalls them.

DON'T PASS THIS UP... Bittner gets better with every book!

Forced to marry her father's friend Ezra, the hot and lonely Southwest Nebraska land which Ezra says is to be her new home is no place for a girl like Katie Russell. However her seemingly doomed future in the barren land is changed when their covered wagon is surrounded by the most feared thing in the land... Indians.

While hiding in the back of her wagon, she suddenly comes face to face with the handsome savage who has not only stolen her attention and her thoughts, but her dreams and heart as well.

Prairie Embrace tells of how two people can overcome all odds to be with each other. This is Indian romance at its best. Don't miss this one!

THIS CONTINUING SAGA OF DEV AND SARAH(TUMBLEWEED FEVER)QUENCHES THAT THIRST YOU HAD WHEN YOU READ THE LAST LINE OF "TUMBLEWEED FEVER". L.J. MAAS JUST HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. HER CHARACTERS ARE MULTI FACETED,FLAWED(HUMAN),BUT ALSO HEROIC.HER IMAGERY BRINGS YOU TO THE PLAINS AND THE INDIAN VILLAGE AND THEIR LIFE STYLE AND WHAT THE TIMES WERE LIKE BACK THEN.
THE BUILDUP OF THE LOVE AND PASSION BETWEEN SARAH AND DEVLIN KEEPS YOU TEETERING ON THE EDGE AND JUST WHEN YOU CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE SHE TAKES YOU THERE. AND YOU ARE NOT LET DOWN.
BY ACCIDENT I READ TUMBLEWEED FEVER FIRST.I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PRAIRIE FIRE. IT WORKS BEST IF YOU DO. BUT IF YOU DON'T IT'S JUST FINE TO GO BACK TO HOW DEV AND SARAH FIRST CAME TOGETHER AND WHAT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT.
WHAT MORE CAN I SAY.
ONE OF THE OTHER REVIEWS SAYS THERE'S ANOTHER LJ MAAS COMING OUT "REBECCA'S COVE"...CAN'T WAIT!!!

Devlin Brown and Sarah Tolliver, two strong, independent women, first introduced in Tumbleweed Fever, are jolted right into the middle of a catastrophic event after they receive a visit from a Shaman with a mysterious message. Along with trying to decipher this "message" Sarah and Devlin are also dealing with the recent loss of a loved one and desperately trying to find time for themselves. When they are unable to understand the visitor, Devlin takes them home to The Clan where their Medicine Man learns the details of the message......a message foretelling impending "doom" for all who do not heed the warning.

Who is the mysterious visitor? Why were they sent on a quest to find Devlin and Sarah? What is this catastrophe and when is it supposed to happen? Will Devlin and Sarah be able to convince both the ranchers and the Choctaw tribe to join together to fight this common enemy? And what does all of this have to do with Sarah's "true identity" in The Clan?

The writer takes you on a fantastic journey into the Native American's world. You, as the reader will gain wonderful insight into life as it would have been in the "old west days" - along with an appreciation for both the values of the "old ways" and the culture of our Native American ancestors. Do NOT miss this journey, you will be doing yourself a great disservice if you do.

This book gave me a fascinating view of an area I did not know existed. Ms. Houle lets us explore the Zumwalt with her as she studies the birds of prey on the prairie, the delicate balance of the natural food chain, and the effect of human land management. I have been far more aware of the different birds of prey since reading this book. Ms. Houle's writing induced me to search out other books, identification charts, and exhibits about these fascinating creatures.

Marcy Houle is a wildlife biologist yet her books read as easily as those of any good fiction writer. As Marcy presents the science of her work, in this case the study of hawks, the reader becomes involved in a very interesting story. As man's use of the land becomes more invasive of nature, man needs a better understanding of how his actions effect not only the earth but also himself. Marcy's study of a 200 square mile area known as "The Zumwalt Prairie" in northeastern Oregon provides an informative, interesting, and enjoyable look at man's impact on nature. Well worth reading!

This is an enchanting cookbook, full of stories from the author's mother about cooking in the 20, 30's and 40's. The recipes are easy to follow. Every one that I have tried has been delicious, family-pleasing, "real" food not gourmet stuff. This would be a great bridal gift. My girls will get their own copy when they leave home. A must for the collector!

A cookbook that actually reads like a story. Readers are taken back in time with the author and her mother as they share stories from the Nebraska prairie days. Packed full of recipes you'll have to try! This book paints vivid pictures of what life was once like...cooking on large, corncob stoves, stoking the fire to keep just the right consistency for making a cake. We have it easy with today's kitchen technology! This book would make a great bridal shower gift or just one to add to your kitchen shelf...

Fabulous book! Prairie Radical is fun to read, accurate and thoughtful. Why do ordinary young people do extraordinary things? Pardun shares his own upbringing in a mixed neighborhood in Pueblo, Colorado. His Dad "described himself as a conservative Republican which meant to him that he strongly believed in the conservation of the rights given to people by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." He acted on those beliefs and raised a son who would as well. Pardun's journey takes him to Texas, where he became involved in Students for a Democratic Society while at the University of Texas, to Chicago, where he was a national officer of SDS, and finally to Arkansas, where he joined a late '60's back-to-the-land commune. His passion encompassed a range of issues during pivotal times. Better than any author I've read, Pardun develops and documents the crackling interaction between SDS's irrepressible enthusiam for justice, police and FBI secret dirty tricks (COINTELPRO), the growing battles over organizational structure and attempts by other groups to take over SDS. The book includes many photos of Texas activists at work and reproductions of SDS leaflets and FBI documents which give added dimension to Pardun's fascinating tale. One of the best books I've read about white radicals in the '60's. A must-read for anyone interested in social change.

Robert Pardun's Prairie Radical is the best account
that I have read so far of the SDS experience and the
1960s historical context in which it occurred. I was active
in SDS in the Oklahoma and Wisconsin chapters and
worked in the National Office. From what I remember,
Pardun's memoir is faithful to what happened. More than
that, he has carefully reconstructed the issues that
people felt to be significant and described them in a
way that is both personable and engaging. I strongly
recommend this very well written book for students and
others who want to understand the history of the 1960s
and what it was like to be an activist in those
momentous times.

My son loves the Prairie Skies series and can't wait for OUR KANSAS HOME. It's a warm family story but full of rich historical details that never overwhelm the plot. My son is in fifth grade but is a reluctant reader, so I'm always on the lookout for books that hold his interest but that aren't too babyish. Highly recommended!

As a teacher and as a parent I've often been frustrated as I try to help my kids study for history tests about the pre-Civil War era. They have to learn about the Kansas-Nebraska Act, but it's just another date to memorize. But in Hopkinson's new chapter book, kids get a look at what life might have been like then. The note says she used letters and manuscripts to research the time period, and it shows. Even though the book is geared for third graders, my fifth grade classroom has enjoyed it too. Highly recommended!

Mike has been a friend of mine for years. He and I were ordained in the same class in our Annual Conference. However, I believe knowing him has helped me assess this work. The devotions are very thoughtful and the reflection of a well-trained pastoral mind. The stories show the a very compassionate human being who can see the hand of God in the work of people. Thanks Mike.

Though probably best read in small doses for proper assimilation and reflection, I found myself compelled to keep reading page after page of this wonderful collection of meditations. But donÕt let the term meditations throw you. There is nothing dry or boring about them. Bishop Coyner has a wonderful way of using the everyday events of our lives and how we react to them as reflections upon our relationships not only with each other, but with our Creator as well. I never felt that I was being preached to, but needed to be reminded of the need to "shave my head" when called to do so, learned a wonderful new word (Uffda!), and discovered that El Nino is not a bad thing for everyone. There is so much more to share, but some journeys we each have to make ourselves. This is definitely a trip worth taking.