The Edge of Nowhere

by Lucy Johnston Sypher, Ray Abel

A young girl's complaint that nothing ever happens in her small North Dakota town is belied by the events of 1916

Paperback

First published December 1, 1972

About the author

Ms. Sypher, (August 6, 1907) - (December 1990), was the author of four children's books loosely based on her childhood in the small prairie town of Wales, North Dakota. The books in the series include: The Edge of Nowhere (1972), Cousins and Circuses (1974), The Spell of the Northern Lights (1975), and The Turnabout Year (1976).

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say that this is my favorite book but it is pretty good!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of my childhood reads, The Edge of Nowhere seems to be a somewhat fictionalized account of Sypher's childhood in rural North Dakota. I think I was initially attracted to this book because I was a big Little House on the Prairie fan, and also my maternal grandfather, born in the 1920s, also grew up in rural North Dakota.

The story follows 10-year-old Lucy, her parents, her 12-year-old brother Amory, and a whole host of other town characters. Lucy certainly has a lot of spunk, and she tries to be brave when faced with challenges (fires, tornados, bratty neighbors).

As charming as the book is, it certainly reads pretty dated, which is why I am giving it a 3-star rating. Written in the 1970s about the 1910s, there is a ton of gendered language and roles (though, for the 1970s, might have seemed more progressive). I also felt some of the characters, especially the German immigrants, were a bit too simplified in their portrayal. Yes, it's a book for children, but I would recommend providing some better context to help them interpret the book for what it is instead of simply internalizing what is suggested.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and, in fact, the series. I was fortunate enough to attend the Wales, ND Centennial celebration in 1997. My daughter-in-law's mother was born in Wales and I was fascinated by the stories she told of growing up in such a remote, very small town, really on the edge of nowhere. The series, as stated by others, is similar to the Little House on the Prairie books and an easy read.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

An early 20th-century prairie town story, but its publication date makes it feel lost - it's too new to really have vintage charm, but too old to be a truly nostalgic attempt at a historical novel. I liked that it was set in North Dakota but the story failed to connect with me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a really good book and it uses good desciption of Lucy's feelings.