Snowbound in Hidden Valley

by Holly Wilson

Holly Wilson has already written two good stories about girls, Deborah Todd and Caroline the Unconquered. Here is the third, marked by a lively but well schooled narrative style and the observations of character which lift it from the ordinary and make it an excellent model for children who are beginning to get their own opinions about life. The scene is Henry's Bend, a small town in Michigan, and ...
More the theme, social prejudice that threatens to blame the wrong person for a crime, is ordinary enough. But its handling, through the friendship between Jo Shannon and Onata, a Chippewa Indian girl, is stimulating because it is natural and full of the frank and exciting observations youngsters have about each other and their families at that age. (Kirkus)

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. One of my favorites from childhood.

This short but vivid and beautiful book tells the story of Jo Shannon and Onota Leeroy. Onota is Native American and Jo is white.

Jo likes Onota. But her friend Boyd does not.

As Jo struggles with her values and heart coming face to face with conformity and approval, the two girls -- Jo and Onota -- get stuck together in a major snow storm, where they will learn much about themselves - and each other.

Gosh but I loved this little pearl of a book back in the day! It was so beautifully written, a warm tapestry of life in a winter's setting, soft, with an eternal sweetness that made me a fan for life.


Lots of themes explored in this book, in particular the nature of Prejudice and assumed judgments over that which is unknown.

And sadly -- it's as relevant today as it was in the decades ago that I read this. I wish it was not. But many of the issues that we face, that are tackled in this book are still with us. Perhaps one day.....

Both Jo and Onota are a pleasure to read about. I fell in love with this book at first read and have read it many times since.

It is a great book for children and though it was written and takes place so long ago the themes in this book are no less important today.

[Patty Saugar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when i was a kid and i liked both the illustrations and storyline. Was an exciting adventure and friendship story.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Young Adult novel Snowbound in Hidden Valley is set in 1950’s Northern Michigan. Jo Shannon is trying to establish meaningful relationships with other girls her age. She inadvertently gets involved with the Chippewa Indian tribe because another classmate invites her on a ski trip. Holly Wilson does an excellent job of combining coming of age, snow, fire, crimes and racial prejudices.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not been as satisfied with a book as I have been with this one for the longest time. A story which is just that - a really good story which takes you to another time and place is a treasure. Then to make that story interesting, compelling and even a touch educational brings the magic into another place entirely. I felt that way the first time I read the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have felt it all now, with this little treasure.

This particular story takes you all the way up north to Michigan in the 1950s. A somewhat privileged school girl who lives in town gets to know a Native American girl by sort of accidentally going home with her during a blizzard. Here she gets to see how her new friend lives, and what it means to be in a family who works hard together, but also knows how to play together and enjoy each other's company. Then, when disaster strikes, we see how the adults come together in a way which brings everyone safely home.

Of course, the story turns out right for all concerned. I wish, though, that I had an opportunity to see what happens next to all these characters. The whole book was just so good and enjoyable all around,
that I was utterly unable to let it go.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Shannon lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where she is in the fifth grade. A new girl, Onota, joins the class, and Jo can't understand why none of the other girls want to be friends with her. Not until she realizes that Onota is a native, but that makes no difference to Jo. A blizzard brings danger to the town, and especially to Jo, who spends it with Onota and her family, and learns more about their lives and traditions.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

B. fiction, children's, grade 5, Native American customs, prejudice, Mom's stash, keep

[Sarah Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very cute! It was about friendship and not judging someone based on their skin color.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great book written in the 60s. The meaning of the book still holds true today, not to judge anyone because they look different. Very good story, especially for the time it was written.