Kate's Book

Kate Alexander #1

by Mary Francis Shura

Readers drawn to pioneer stories will enjoy the adventures of 12-year-old Kate Alexander as she and her family travel west in 1843. When Kate's father decides to sell their Ohio farm and move to Oregon, the family has many regrets. Nonetheless, they pull up stakes and begin the long journey across the plains. The bumpy roads, slow pace and cramped living conditions prove dreary, and everyone misses the comforts of home. When the Alexanders join a wagon train in Missouri, they become acquainted with the high-spirited Thompsons from Kentucky. Kate becomes friends with Tildy, the only daughter; together, the girls explore the prairie, meet an Indian, survive a twister and save a boy's life. Most of the novel focuses on the day-to-day hardships of pioneer life and the attitudes of the people. The monotony of the journey and constant threat of adversity create tensions between the travelers, yet even the worst enemies join forces in times of need. Shura's writing is as unembellished and authentic as her characters. The fears, dreams and courage of early American settlers are thoroughly explored and convincingly expressed.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Juvenile, Fiction, Survival

204 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

Mary Francis Young was born on 23 February 1923 in Pratt, Kansas, the daughter of Jack Fant and Mary Francis (Milstead) Young. When she was very young, her family moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she raised. She studied at Maryville State College. On 24 October 1943, she married Daniel Charles Shura, who died in 1959. They had two children: Marianne Francis Shura (Spraguc) and Daniel Charles Shura. On 8 December 1961, she married Raymond C. Craig, they had a daughter Alice Barrett Craig (Stout), before their divorce.

Since 1960, she wrote over 50 books of various genres: children's adventures and teen-romances as Mary Francis Shura, M. F. Craig, and Meredith Hill; gothic novels as Mary Craig; romance novels as Alexis Hill, Mary Shura Craig and Mary S. Craig; and suspense novels as M. S. Craig.

Her children's novel "The Search for Grissi" received the Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Award in 1985, and she also was nominated to the Young Hoosier Book Award. In 1990, she was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.

She lived in Hinsdale, Illinois, where her apartment burned on 13 December 1990. At 67, she died of injuries suffered in the fire on 12 January 1991 in Loyola University Medical Burn Center in Maywood.

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One if my very favorite novels when I was a child.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of two young friends whose families have just arrived in Oregon to settle. A fun book written for younger readers. I enjoyed learning a little more about the sacrifices of the many pioneers that helped to settle the west

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with this one. Here we see a child taking a marvelous journey west, all the way to Oregon, and we don't really get any details of the trip. We spend most of the time in her relationships with the others of the wagon trains, and you finally get the impression that most of things was walking alongside the trail picking flowers.

That is perhaps a little unfair, in that there were events that stood out - the tornado. Illness. But even that seemed somewhat unreasonable, in that only a very small handful of people died on the journey, which given the size of the wagon train doesn't quite seem reasonable. And in the end the grown-ups seem to be making very large life decisions based upon whether their daughters will be able to be happy.

Sorry. No.

For a flavor of what the Oregon trail was like, this book is ok. But I think there's better resources out there if you're looking for a book to use in teaching this bit of history to your child. For entertainment level and a 'light' history book, it's ok but even then the answers are too pat, and I'm not sure even the bits about moving away and making new friends would especially ring true. I just can't give this better than three stars.

[Mary Mecham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2

Kate’s book
You meet Kate and her family and the setting is in her house in Ohio and on the trail to Oregon. She finds a new friend. People start dying and things start to happen. And the wagon train splits up. And she finds out a secret that her new best friend is keeping.will it ever come to a stop.



She is a little shy but loves to be with her friends in her home in Ohio. Then when the are on the trail to Oregon she changes and things start to go wrong. so she has to step up and be more helpful and not spend as much time with her new friend. Witch is hard on the trail and she start to see her parents change too. She starts to get sad and she just changes there her whole trip.


I love this book so much as such a good message about how you just have to keep going even when times get rough. And I love how Kate changes and learns thourghout the book and it’s like your learning right along with her. And i love the way it keeps you on your toes and how you just want to keep reading. And I love how willing she is in the book. But I think why I love this book so much is the ending it is the best ending in history.

[Heatherjoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite I’m ready to let go of. It was alright enough to finish but not to keep on my shelf.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was younger. I remember it sticking out to me. I'm a fan of the Little House books, but I appreciate this one a bit more in some ways. Against the backdrop of childhood, an innocent time, there is strife, hunger, storms, bullies, wild animals... death looming over each of them. The characters are developed and memorable (I can see little Molly and Jake playing and chattering like my little boy Jack and his cousin Ruby), the story compelling. It was sad and authentic, the way Kate's mom and dad became almost strangers on the hard journey from Ohio to Oregon. As I read it now as an adult, I was surprised and the feminist undertones. The author underscored the sacrifice that women were expected to make, of their own hopes and dreams, to follow their husband into dangerous and sometimes deadly places as the country was slowly settled. Not inappropriately, but enough to make you think about it and appreciate it. This little book and its sequel are out of print but worth reading if you can get ahold of them; I hope to let my little daughter Lucy read it when she's old enough.

[Cay-lamity · Rating 4 out of 5]

T H O U G H T S:

you never know what treasures you'll find at library book sales. this little gem captured my heart when i was a little girl and it can still whisk me away into another world reminiscent of little house on the prairie and the boxcar children. against the innocent backdrop of childhood, there is hunger, storms, and a wild, savage land.

the characters are developed and memorable, and the story is compelling, authentic, genuine. with a raw realism and feminist undertones, the author brings to life the journey into the unknown in a new way. it is both simple and complex, both bright and deadly. this little book of sacrifice and dangerous dreams is worth reading if you can find it.

R A T I N G:

plot // 4
pacing // 3
language // 4
story world // 4
protagonist // 4
antagonist // 4

4.5 stars

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not nearly as good as "Kate's Book", which was one of my favorite books as a young girl. Nevertheless, my daughter loved it. I would actually rate it 3 1/2 stars if I could. There is plenty of action, yet the book seemed drawn out. Does anyone know if there is a third book? It seemed that there were a few loose ends. Mary Francis Shura teaches the young reader about pioneers and homesteading with an able pen while also entertaining them. She is arguably as good at storytelling as Laura Ingalls Wilder. I wish she was better known for her charming books.

[Megan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about what happens AFTER the journey across the Oregon Trail, which fewer authors explore. It's the sequel to a book I read way back in fifth grade (which I'd love to read again, if I can ever find it), but it's strong enough to stand on it's own. The characters are a bit cliche, but the story is solid. A good book, especially for a younger reader who likes the Little House series.

3/5 on here, 7/10 for myself

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the first one a dozen times, it was my favorite as a child. I had no idea there was a sequel until a yeat ago and picked it up on thriftbooks.

This was just as good. However because of how old it is the Native American stuff is dated, but not awful. Kate makes friends with a native American girl and the book hints at the racism native Americans encounter.

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library book sale thinking Abbi might like it. It is a simple little read with some complex issues intertwined. No where near the quality of the little house books, but an interesting piece of historical fiction.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books growing up. I still have my copy! This is a great book for young readers, if they are interested in history, especially pioneer life. It follows Kate and her family after they have settled in Oregon. It is actually a sequel, but it stands just fine on it's own.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate and Tildy are at odds a good portion of the book. It seemed like suddenly they had grown up and had some sad, serious problems to deal with. It's not as likable as the first, in my opinion, but I still love the characters, and the new ones were just as engaging. I wish Bird had her own book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's historical novel (reading level 5) is about Kate's family in 1843. They finally arrived in Oregon after many months on the trail and now are trying to make a home in the rainy wilderness. It's a sweet little book about pioneer life.