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Willow Whip: A YA Western Novel
From award-winning author Irene Bennett Brown comes
a heartwarming story of a young girl determined to make it possible for her constantly moving farmer family to buy a farm that she has come to love and wants to live on permanentl
y.
Could the Faber family really afford a farm of their own? Could they stop moving from place to place? Her father has almost given up hope, but for Willow Faber, the only dream worth having is a farm of their own.
The Fabers are tenant farmers. They move almost every year trying to find a better place. But no farm will ever compare to the one Willow calls “The Ranch.” Once a Pony Express stop, it is old, but solid and pleasant, and Willow is willing to do everything she can to make it theirs.
For a long year Willow does little but plan and work and save, pushing herself—and her family—to the brink, earning herself the nickname “Willow The Whip.” She sacrifices everything, including all of the things she had hoped to gain by staying in one place. Only near disaster helps her understand what she has lost and all that she still has to gain.
Follow this young heroine in a wild and wooly adventure that is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit and strong will. Grab your copy now and be swept away by a narrative that touches the heart and ignites the soul.
Could the Faber family really afford a farm of their own? Could they stop moving from place to place? Her father has almost given up hope, but for Willow Faber, the only dream worth having is a farm of their own.
The Fabers are tenant farmers. They move almost every year trying to find a better place. But no farm will ever compare to the one Willow calls “The Ranch.” Once a Pony Express stop, it is old, but solid and pleasant, and Willow is willing to do everything she can to make it theirs.
For a long year Willow does little but plan and work and save, pushing herself—and her family—to the brink, earning herself the nickname “Willow The Whip.” She sacrifices everything, including all of the things she had hoped to gain by staying in one place. Only near disaster helps her understand what she has lost and all that she still has to gain.
Follow this young heroine in a wild and wooly adventure that is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit and strong will. Grab your copy now and be swept away by a narrative that touches the heart and ignites the soul.
- GenresYoung Adult
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1979
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Irene Bennett Brown
26 books8 followersI was born in Topeka, Kansas but from the age of nine, Oregon’s Willamette Valley has been home. As a child in one-room schools where I was often the only student in my class, I read, reread, and lived vicariously books like HEIDI, CADDIE WOODLAWN, MAMA’S BANK ACCOUNT, and LITTLE WOMEN. Jo in LITTLE WOMEN and Katrin in MAMA’S BANK ACCOUNT, writing away in their dusky attics, fueled my own dream to be a writer.
Author William Least Heat Moon is surely correct when he says “our passions at age 12 will always be with us and indicate our intended career.”
A writer who can’t not write, I pounded out my first seven books on a manual typewriter borrowed from a neighbor. Payoff for sore arms from throwing the carriage was national publication of my children’s books: in hardcover by Atheneum, E.P. Dutton, Thomas Nelson and David McKay, and in paperback book club editions by Viking Penguin, Scholastic, and Junior Literary Guild. Awards and honors include a Spur Award from Western Writers Of America and nomination for the Mark Twain Award for BEFORE THE LARK, the Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award for significant contribution to children’s literature, and inclusion on several best books’ lists.
THE PLAINSWOMAN, published originally by Ballantine, was my first novel for adults and a Western Writers Of America Spur Award finalist. Other novels include my Women Of Paragon Springs series from Five Star Cengage: LONG ROAD TURNING, BLUE HORIZONS, NO OTHER PLACE, and REAP THE SOUTH WIND. A love story set in Oregon’s Hells Canyon, HAVEN, a single title, was also published by Five Star. My historical novel, THE BARGAIN, was released by my own company, Riveredge Books, in 2007. WHERE GABLE SLEPT, the first book in my Celia Landrey mystery series, followed in 2010 and WHERE DANGER DANCED in 2012. All are now published by Riveredge Books and are also available as Kindle and Nook ebooks.
When not following my favorite pursuits, writing and reading, you’ll find me enjoying travel and exploring historic places with my husband, Bob, a retired research chemist, and spending time with our growing and busy family.
Author William Least Heat Moon is surely correct when he says “our passions at age 12 will always be with us and indicate our intended career.”
A writer who can’t not write, I pounded out my first seven books on a manual typewriter borrowed from a neighbor. Payoff for sore arms from throwing the carriage was national publication of my children’s books: in hardcover by Atheneum, E.P. Dutton, Thomas Nelson and David McKay, and in paperback book club editions by Viking Penguin, Scholastic, and Junior Literary Guild. Awards and honors include a Spur Award from Western Writers Of America and nomination for the Mark Twain Award for BEFORE THE LARK, the Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award for significant contribution to children’s literature, and inclusion on several best books’ lists.
THE PLAINSWOMAN, published originally by Ballantine, was my first novel for adults and a Western Writers Of America Spur Award finalist. Other novels include my Women Of Paragon Springs series from Five Star Cengage: LONG ROAD TURNING, BLUE HORIZONS, NO OTHER PLACE, and REAP THE SOUTH WIND. A love story set in Oregon’s Hells Canyon, HAVEN, a single title, was also published by Five Star. My historical novel, THE BARGAIN, was released by my own company, Riveredge Books, in 2007. WHERE GABLE SLEPT, the first book in my Celia Landrey mystery series, followed in 2010 and WHERE DANGER DANCED in 2012. All are now published by Riveredge Books and are also available as Kindle and Nook ebooks.
When not following my favorite pursuits, writing and reading, you’ll find me enjoying travel and exploring historic places with my husband, Bob, a retired research chemist, and spending time with our growing and busy family.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 30, 2010
I really enjoy Irene Bennett Brown's books. This was a quick read about a girl who was a tenet farmer. She wanted nothing more than to buy a piece of land and live there forever. She was tired of moving and having the townspeople talk trash about them. This 14 year old girl worked herself almost to death trying to earn enough money to abuy this ranch.
I was impressed with the determination of Willow! She was driven and focused. She did not spend time with friends and parties. She wanted this ranch and was willing to work hard for it!
I was impressed with the determination of Willow! She was driven and focused. She did not spend time with friends and parties. She wanted this ranch and was willing to work hard for it!
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March 12, 2009JF-YABro
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews