Brave Kids: Cora Frear

by Susan E. Goodman, Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)

This true story is based on the memoir of Cora Frear, the young daughter of a frontier doctor. While accompanying her father on house calls one Sunday afternoon, Cora gets more excitement that she bargained for when the two of them are caught in a prairie fire. Illustrations.

Genres: Biography, American History, School, Chapter Books, Childrens, History, 2nd Grade

Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Susan E. Goodman is the author of more than thirty nonfiction books for children, including How Do You Burp in Space?; See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House;All in Just One Cookie, an ALA Notable Book; and On This Spot, a Washington Post Top Picture Book of the Year. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

from https://us.macmillan.com/author/susan...

see also http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/sgo...

Reviews

[london · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

“No shame in being scared, Carrie,” he said. “It’s fine as long as it doesn’t stop you from doing what you need to do. And it didn’t stop you or me, did it?” pg 37

“Prairie plants have deep roots that weren’t even touched by the fire.” pg 42 even after going thru fire they will flourish again because they have deep roots in the soil that gives life. they aren’t hopeless. 🌱

“The fire was burning around them. The temperature was almost unbearable. The heat seemed to last forever.” pg 34

Summary: A story of having courage even in the fires and of the difficulties of prairie life. Carrie is thrilled when her father invites her on his daily doctor route. However, a prairie fire is devouring the land and they’re stuck in the middle of it.

Review: So sweet and short but I loved it almost as much as when I read it the first time. My first read I was younger so I loved the book. My second read I realized how simple the writing was (for the age it’s directed to) but I still liked it! It’s very sweet and clean and just a heartwarming story that gives Little House vibes! Almost like if American Girl wrote a Little House book.

[Shofam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son (7) enjoyed the book but says he took off a star because of the fire (which was scary) and because he didn’t like when the match wouldn’t light.

“This is a book about a girl named Cora. Her father is a doctor. One day, a family calls about their baby being very sick. On the way there, Cora and her father face many adventures including a prairie fire. This part was scary, but they made it through the fire and got to the house where the baby lived. They helped him feel better. Cora lived from 1887 to 1985.”

Carolyn, age 8

[Stephanie Sheaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Cora Frear" is a short historical fiction paperback geared to ages 6-10 (approximate reading level: 3rd-4th grade).

Based on a true story, the slim novel details the account of a young girl and her father who get stuck in the middle of a prairie fire. Set in Iowa in the 1800s, the story is believable and has interesting elements. That being said, it is too short to have strong character development or a well-developed plot.

[Jacklyn (ReadingBliss) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about the time. It really filled my head with images of the past, despite in being more shallow for young readers to understand. It had great voice and presence to capture it’s audience in it’s few pages (about 55). I plan to have my children read it as they learn about pioneers and like in the prairie.

Perfect for classrooms and families.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read after my 7 yr old didn't find it interesting enough to read. I can see why she wouldn't want to read about the fire, it could definitely be a scary storyline even if it is trying to point out bravery in spite of fear.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

We used as a read aloud. Fire aspect was a little intense if you have a sensitive reader, but I felt the author conveyed the reality of the situation well without dramatizing and hyping it up. Lovely pencil sketch type illustrations.

[Jamey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a short book, Cora Frear is an interesting and page turning true story of a girl and her father who got caught in a prairie fire. It is a quick look into American history that kids and parents will enjoy.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Good for young readers. I gave it to my little sister to try so I hope she'll read it.
The fire part might be scary for some kids.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written short, little story. Part of my 7-year-old’s Bookshark history curriculum, so I pre-read it.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora goes with her father on a doctor's visit in his horse and buggy when they get caught in a prairie fire.

Great book for beginning readers - classroom library 1st through 3rd grade.

[Melynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Read w/ Grace

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls 10 & 12 both gave this 5 stars as a read aloud. Very interesting story!

[Jamie Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my son's 3rd-grade homeschool curriculum.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR 3.5

[Breanna Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. 1 day read. Can either be a read aloud or assigned to an elementary child.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written.

[Moch Ansori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but thare are many english words that I think they're hard to be understand by children.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old daughter loved this book

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 2-4 43pgs


1897, Iowa. 10 year old Cora "Carrie" Frear wants to be just like her father Doc Frear when she grows up. She loves making house calls with her father. On one trip, she and her father are stuck in the middle of a prairie fire. With no place to hide, Doc Frear and Cora find a way to protect themselves from the fire.

Good story. Based on a true story.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was kind of scary when the prairie was on fire.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is a very short story, it is very well written. The author does a great job describing a girl who has to put her fear aside in order to help her father in a prairie fire.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children loved this story. We went to the library to find more books like it. Highly recommend.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A based on true life adventure of a girl and her father who are caught in a prairie fire and what they do to survive it. A nice adventure for early readers to enjoy.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another school time book. Titus really liked this one. It was a simple but nice story of bravery.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I’m excited to hear what my boys think about it.

[vvanyaa1234 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The situation in this book is actually so scary. Very impressive story because of that.