Cornbread and Prayer

by Dean Hughes

The adventures and inner conflicts of a Mormon family in 1840 reflect the events surrounding the founding of the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, as a place where Mormons could live and worship in peace.

Genres: Historical Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1988

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the basic concept of this book but just when it was at a good turning point...it ended. The book left me feeling like I just watched one of those Hallmark movies and you actually say, "What?" at the end.

12 year old Ruth feels confused about her religion being a Mormon. She wants fancy dresses and to go to parties and desperately wants to feel beautiful. Most importantly she wants to feel safe, and this is not a good time when so many persecutions are happening in Missouri. She struggles with wanting to go to Navoo with her family and even remaining in the church at all.

The book had a good message but it was just so-so.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read this book. I love historical fiction because I enjoy stepping into someone else' shoes vicariously and seeing a little bit of life through their eyes. To me, it's a much less painful way to learn than insisting on doing everything the hard way although I seem to find as many ways to make mistakes as anyone else. Still, I got to see life as it may have felt during pioneer times by reading this book.