Nobody in my classroom wanted to read this book because it's a learning book. But when I saw it and picked it up, I knew it was my soulmate. This book has taught me a lot about loving God, being kind to others, and especially loving and respecting your family. And that's why I think other children should read this book. And I hope that they'll enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you.

I have read this book and loved it,a good story of americana. A must for people who love the irish history in america.

Coal Camp Days is of course a story about memories but also about hope, family and friends that make all those memories worth while. This fictionalized autobiography is a must-have for any serious reader of Chicano literature; especially those interested in northern New Mexico Hispano culture.

Following Matias, the fictionalized protagonist, Garcia weaves a tapestry of stories that blend local customs, traditions, and dialects as both the young boy and diverse community he lives in, grow together during one of the most chaotic times of United States history.

The text's readability is an outreach from Garcia's easy going style, attention to detail and ability to capture the moment in a language that is at once focused, yet relaxed'colloquial even. The text also serves as an ethnohistory of a specific time and group, and is an uplifting recollection about a simpler time when people of distinct backgrounds learn to live, love and face sorrow together.

The best book I have read in quite sometime! Could be because I grew up not far from Mt. Carmel, PA. I certaintly hope there is a sequel to this book. If not, there should be. It is hard for me to be able to tell just what parts of the book were fiction. Mr. Devers is quite the story teller. For those of you unfamiliar with life in the anthracite areas of PA, you are in for an accurate description of what life was life "when coal was king." Very difficult to put this book down. As a matter of fact, my 21 year old son, who previously didn't read all that much, became enthralled in it and in his words "was addicted to it"

This book is full of history! The D&R railroad is the shortest of the shortlines at 5.1 miles in length and has been in constant operation since 1893. This book tells the story through financial reports, company memos,maintenance records, and traffic data. There are many pictures that show rural America railroading at it's best and through the heyday of railroading in the USA. This book is highly recommended as a research book. It does get a little dry if you are looking for a novel. Includes tables of locomotives, and freight traffic along the line.

Denise's book, volume 1, is a definitive reference of a small mining town in the hills of Pennsylvania. It is the only historical fact of the founding of the town and the multitude of families who were in the melting pot. Everyone who was born there or had a relative in the town needs this book for the future generations.

Denise, thanks for all your hard work and I can't wait to see Volume 2.

Fondly,

Paula Leleck Wilson

I recommend this book to anyone. Even though it is listed under “young adult”, anyone interested in historical fiction will enjoy it, and it can also be read aloud to younger children.

Even though the book is primarily about 16 year old Katy, the other characters in the book have detailed personalities that make you care about what happens to them, too. The details that are included of this time period also add interest to the story. You don’t typically think of what people ate, the clothes they wore, and the way families interacted in other historical time periods. There’s a lot of emotion throughout the book which includes tragedy and hardships, but Katy hopes and works toward a better future. It all makes for a realistic and exciting story.

The author has a web site... where you can read the first chapter to “Diamond in the Dust”.

This book is an exhaustive work on open-hole logging. Mr. Dewan has years of experience in this field, and has won numerous awards for his work, including a lifetime achievement award from SPLWA. He has travelled the world over, teaching courses to students in the oil industry. Mr. Dewan's unique and considerable experience shines through this book, written in a easily understood fashion to accomdate a wider audience.

This is a wonderful exploration of a major facet of African-American history--a look at a place and time where the children of slaves built a prosperous local society. Buxton was a company town in Iowa where African-Americans comprised the middle class, the miners, the teachers, the doctors...and Whites were a minority. Race relations were generally unselfconsciously excellent, aged former residents indicated to interviewers (some of whom just could not believe it!); these people ran into the harsh racism of the outside world when the company town was disbanded and people had to resettle in DesMoines or Chicago or wherever. This book concentrates on the archaeological aspect of the Buxton Project. A must for any library of African-American studies, historical archaeology, and Midwestern history.

Being a coalminer's daughter, this book told it like it was when I was growing up in this area. The personal stories of the ancestors of people I know today made it hard to put down. As I read, I could see the forming of my hometown and surrounding areas.