Birdie

Abercrombie Trail #3

by Candace Simar

Book 3 of the Abercrombie Trail Series and 2012 Spur Award Winner.  Evan and Inga Jacobson struggle to raise their family in the midst of bank failures, grasshoppers and lingering effects of the 1862 Uprising. Harsh economic realities force them to relocate to Otter Tail County, Minnesota, where they start over in a hostile environment. Ragna Larson grows up haunted by her missing sister, Birdie. Though both girls were kidnapped by the Sioux during the Uprising, only one returned. Ragna must make peace with the past before she can move forward with her life. Evan and Inga must do the same.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adult Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2011

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful continuation of the story of a frontier family struggling with new lands and new relationships. This is historical fiction that really puts you into the place and time.
This could be read as a stand alone, but really should be preceded by the first 2 books of the series for full comprehension and appreciation. Being rather slim books, it is not a difficult task and worth every minute.
A few mild curse words slip out, so parents may want to monitor this for tween readers and is probably better suited to YA & adults. Sexual content is very circumspect and religion is mixed in with splashes of Lutheran, Catholic and Mormon beliefs. While the main characters adhere to the Lutheran faith, the other two aren't trampled upon.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Candace Simar. I love this series. Reading a book by Candace is like listening to a story being told by a beloved friend. Can't wait to move on to the next book- Blooming Prairie!

[Jane Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1873 and the story of Evan and Inga Jacobson and their growing family of five sons continues in book three of the Abercrombie Trail Series. Candace Simar has created such life-like characters that you are totally invested in their success or failure as they strive to tame the wild Minnesota prairie and create a home in the face of bank failures and a devastating plague of grasshoppers. A significant part of the story is devoted to their foster daughter, Ragna, whom they raised after her family was killed in the Sioux Uprising. She is haunted by her missing sister, Birdie, kidnapped by the Indians. The author shines, depicting Ragna’s near obsession with finding her lost sister years after her abduction. Ragna never loses faith that Birdie is alive. Two story lines reach a climax simultaneously: the first with a truth Ragna must face before she can move on with her life and the second with a surprising revelation for Evan that helps him face his own ghosts from the Sioux Uprising and make peace with the past. A very satisfying read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Abercrombie series is every bit as compelling as the first two - perhaps even more so because you now know the characters better and you are involved in their well being. This book follows Ragna, an orphan from the uprising. She was in fact taken from her parents farm along with her sister. She was later reunited with the central character of the series and we see her struggles and coming of-age in this book. The novel doesn't sugarcoat life in these times but does help us all see the rhythm of life throughout the ages.

[larry l. jerke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book to follow the lives along the Abecombie Trail. Not as much history as the first, but good story line.

[Sara Rose Nissen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and heartbreaking. I love the continued story of Evan Jacobson and his family. I adore the Minnesota backdrop because I can see it vividly having lived here my whole life. Looking forward to reading the final book in the series.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books in this series continue to pull me in from the first page. Superbly written.

[Amy Patten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a 4.5 out of 5.

Simar shows how relatable her characters are in this book. She also does a great job keeping the reader involved in the story.

[Katie Foth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candace Simar continues Evan Jacobson's saga on the western frontier of Minnesota. In 1873, eleven years after the events of ABERCROMBIE TRAIL, Evan and Inga live on the farm of sixteen-year-old Ragna Larson, Evan's godchild. They haven't disclosed to their children the parentage of their troublesome son, Gunnar. Their family now includes their son Knut, twins Sverre and Lewis, and baby Sigurd. A stream of hardships strains their marriage: a cow dies of milk fever, a horse dies of plague, the 1871 bank failure wipes out their savings, a horde of locust has settled on their farm, and Inga miscarries a child. Ragna still looks for her sister Birdie. Both the girls were carried off by Indians during the 1862 uprising, and Ragna was separated from her sister. BIRDIE is a story of how love triumphs through hurt and unbelievable hardship. Candace does a fabulous job of fairly portraying different racial and ethnic groups whose influences shaped Minnesota's history.

[Terri Kirkham]

Signed copy

[Cathy Hartle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the first three volumes in this series, and have really enjoyed better understanding a piece of the settlement history of this state, told through the stories of believable and engaging characters. I cannot imagine the tenacity it took for people to survive those early years. I look forward to finishing the last book of the series soon.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A third great book in a great series. I laughed, I cried, I read in suspense. Fun to read about my own neck of the woods and read all those sayings that my husband and his Norwegian family say. colder than a ...... Bwahaha!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed her previous books so much and was really looking forward to this one. I am not a fan of love stories - it's possible this was a little too close to that for me.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of rural Minnesota

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a GREAT series. I can't wait to read to fourth one - "Blooming Prairie"! I'm hoping there are more to come.

[Sheri Goltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story, takes you to the era of our founders

[Deb Rankin-Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nice historical fiction story, but poorly written and worse editing. UGH!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Val Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite of the first 3 books of the series.