A Place Called Home: The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Ulm, Minnesota 1856-1862

by Nancy Noyes Silcox

Young Carolina Beck and her family who are driven from Cincinnati, Ohio, by rising hostilities toward immigrants, travel by steamboat to New Ulm, Minnesota, in 1857 searching for economic security and the freedom to follow their German customs and traditions. Unexpected challenges learning to survive on the Minnesota frontier and defending their town during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 test their courage and resilience. Back matter has articles about historical context, a Timeline, Who's Fact and Fiction, Discussion Questions, Activities and Recipes.

274 pages

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Reader]

A Place Called Home
Nancy Noyes Silcox

Yes, in our 21st century we are going global, but it is utterly refreshing to understand the development / evolution of mankind’s journey. As an American, of immigrant descent, reading A Place Called Home reveals, makes come alive, the struggles of newcomers, of searchers of a better life. Getting to know the German situation in New Ulm enables us to relive a bit of our own heritage. A Place Called Home is truly worth the read.

Judith Debetencourt Hoskins

[Daniel Groebner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was it like to settle on the frontier of Minnesota in 1856 in a town with only a few log cabins? Carolina Beck was old enough to remember her home in Cincinnati but not the land of her birth, Germany. With her parents she traveled by steamboat to the prairie of southern Minnesota knowing nothing of the life she would live there.
Trust in her parents, in their settler neighbors, and earnest work to create food, clothing, and shelter with wilderness resources made it possible to survive. Yet the cultures of the new immigrants and those who lived on the land for centuries before them clashed leading to deadly conflict.
This young adult novel is written with great historical accuracy. It will be of interest to anyone, of any age, who enjoys tales of discovery. It can be a useful adjunct to the teaching of history of the American frontier in the mid-19th century. I have given copies of the book to friends, family and local middle school history teachers and librarians.

[Nancy Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Change...does anyone like change? Should I embrace it or should I fight back?

"What!...No!...Why?" Change brings out emotions and that is exactly what Nancy Noyes Silcox brings in her latest book, A Place Called Home. This historical fiction story would be a great read-aloud or class book study for upper elementary and middle school students when they study Westward Expansion. The author provides additional resources, which are a benefit for the teacher and librarian. Questions stimulate discussions dealing with the injustice that the Native Americans faced when they experienced the loss of land and the impact of that when they fought back. Activities and recipes are an added bonus to hook students into that time period.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Ulm is the city I consider to be my home town. I lived there from the age of 9 (4th grade) until I graduated from Mankato State College (1972.)

This historical fiction novel is written by a graduate of New Ulm High School, graduating a few years before I did. While the Beck Family is fictional, the author has thoroughly researched details of the lives of German settlers who founded the town, many who play a part in the narrative. The Dakota Sioux War of 1862 is laid out as it happened; there are major resources available that the author researched.

Included at the end of the novel are numerous reference lists, educational activities, recipes for food items mention in the novel. Nancy Noyes Silcox has put together an interesting story and so much more to entice the reader.

[James Magelssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy, I finished reading your book a few minutes ago! I am incredibly impressed by the work you have done, all the research that went into writing this very interesting book! I learned a lot! We moved to New Ulm in 1962, when the city was observing the hundredth anniversary of the Sioux Uprising. Your book has given me a much better understanding about that time in our history! Thank you!

Thanks Jim!

[Kevin Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title and topic of Nancy's book was intriguing and interesting to me since I grew up in Mankato and near New Ulm. A Place Called Home is the first historical fiction book I have ever read. I enjoyed it very much, especially because of the history lessons it gave me and Nancy's writing style that made it an easy read. I wish I could write like Nancy does!

[John J · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable historical fiction story. Well researched and written.