The Queen's Own Grove

by Patricia Beatty

Amelia Bromfield-Brown looked out the train window. What she saw was discouraging: flat, parched-looking ground, dotted with cactus plants; hills, behind them, mountains; a cloudless, hot sky.
The rest of Amelia’s family did nor see, to feel optimistic, either. “Well!” Grandmother snapped out so loudly that half the railroad car turned to look at them. “If this is where we are to live, I have only one thing to say.” She paused dramatically, then announced, “Riverside, California, is going to be the absolute end of the world!”
Thus the Bromfield-Browns arrived in the California of the 1880’s, having wended their arduous way from England via Canada. They were moving to the desert climate for Father’s health, but they soon found that this problem was only one of a legion, including such things as white scale, the terrible Applebooms, and Grandmother’s social life.
Led by the indefatigable Amelia, the three Bromfield-Brown children attack their problems in a brisk, uncompromising way. Patricia Beatty, evoking the mood of the day, continues to delight her readers in this sprightly historical novel.

KIRKUS REVIEWS
The Bromfield-Brown family was headed by Grandmother Thorup, who had grown up with and was a dead ringer for her beloved Queen Victoria. Only indisputable orders from the doctor about Mr. B-B’s health could budge the family from England, but Grandmother at last agreed to forge ahead—“The Colonies are England’s children. We must bear that in mind constantly—that we shall really never leave English soil!” From Canada they are ordered on to Southern California (“the absolute end of the world!”). The story of how the proper English family adjusts to the ramshackle, desert town (and vice versa) is banked with problems which are always almost disastrous but most enjoyable.
The narrator is Amelia, the oldest of the three Bromfield-Brown children, and while she sighs that “We’re too well- bred, that’s what’s wrong with us,” they are far from inactive. With the assistance of their Chinese servant they bring their neighbors, the over-populated, under-disciplined Applebooms into line by impersonating spirits at a seance; they resolve an old family feud which had blocked Grandmother's admission into the much-desired tennis club; they overcame the threat of the white scale disease to their orange grove; and they even show signs of becoming Americanized.
As always with this author, the characters and dialogue are excellent, and the incidents as real as they are funny.

Genres: Historical Fiction

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Patricia Beatty (1922 - 1991) was an American author of award-winning children's and young adult historical fiction novels.

She was born in Portland, Oregon, and was a longtime resident of southern California. After graduating from college, she taught high school English and history, and later held various positions as a science and technical librarian, and also as a children's librarian. She taught Writing Fiction for Children at several branches of the University of California.

She wrote over 50 novels, and co-write 10 of them with her husband, John L. Beatty.

Beatty died in Riverside, California in 1991.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, I met this author and read many of her books. She introduced me to historical fiction and they are great reads for the age 8-12 year old girl set. A lot of her books are out of print but still can be purchased on-line at used book stores.

This book focues on the California orange growers in Riverside, CA.

[Gracewellworn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick read.

[Shelly Ferguson]

Short historical novel about Riverside and orange industry.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just loved this Patricia Beatty book about a young girl and her family who move from England (by way of Canada) to Southern California in the late 1800's. Once again, Patricia Beatty has 'done her history homework' and added historically accurate information (such as how the ladybug was brought over from Australia to help save the orange groves from 'white scale') to enhance her novel. This is a heartwarming story about a family's troubles and triumphs as they try to acclimate to a new country and a new way of life as owners of an orange grove. I really loved it!

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared for younger readers, this book tells of a British family medically relocated to Riverside, California at the end of the 19th century. I really enjoyed the local flavor, the contrasts between cultures, and the discussions of oranges and their growing habits. A fun and fascinating little book.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very "locally" flavored book about early settlers from England that came to Riverside for health reasons back in the 1880s. Once here, the family purchased an ran an orange grove. It was a fun old-fashioned young adult book written back in 1966...

[Betty Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical fiction book about Riverside, CA. My children's 4th grade teacher read it to her class every year. Hopefully teachers and parents who live in the area still share this story with their kids. I know I will with my grandkids.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughters 3rd grade class read this book for a book club. It's a cute story about young girl and her family that move to Riverside California from England during the 1880's.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read, as good as it was the first time!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction. It was fun reading about Riverside in the 1800s.