Prairie Whispers

by Frances Arrington

On the same night her mother gave birth to her stillborn sister, Colleen was given a baby by a desperate woman who wanted to keep the baby away from her abusive husband, yet her family mistakenly believes the child is theirs and now Colleen must decide whether to tell them the heartbreaking truth. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Childrens, Teen, Westerns, Juvenile

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Emma Kamen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this plot is GENIUS but perhaps YA isn't the right audience. I need a film adaptation. plot is literally brilliant.

[Cris Criddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing and interesting. It shows that you must always be honest and true. Never steal, even when you think it's the only option. This book is full of detail and truths. This book is so intriguing and I've read it twice because of how good it is. It even ends on a cliffhanger that makes me want to find the sequal.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a good Little House-esque story and this one was entertaining. It is definitely a quick read and I liked the characters. I thought the ending could have been a bit more complete. It would have been nice to have one more quick wrap up chapter at the end, but overall, I enjoyed it.

[Tracy L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book. I was a bit fearful of Mr. O'Brian and what he was capable of doing to Colleen and Jeb. What a burden to be put on such a young girl. It definitely leaves questions at the end. How do Ma and Pa react about the truth? Bonnie? The widow? The money?

[Sara Snarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Little House on the Prairie for teens/tweens. I enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down but found the ending a little too tidy.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

50 States Reading Challenge: South Dakota

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read as far as page turning and quick but the ending was predictable.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Hardly got through it.

[Betty Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

sorry,as an adult I was disappointed in the book. can't imagine a young adult getting excited about it .hoped there would be some moral in the end. not do much.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prairie Whispers
By: Frances Arrington
Publisher: Philomel books/ Penguin Putnam
Review By: Olivia Shea
This suspenseful story takes place in a wide open South Dakota prairie in the 1860s. Colleen is a 12 yr. Old girl who has a terrible secret. Her mother had a baby, it died, and she needed help. Her Ma had no idea what was going on, she was so sick. Colleen burst out of the cabin as Jeb, her brother, held back their dog, Cinder. The wagon. The wagon was the only source of help that was close, but what she got was unexpected.
She didn't want to replace her dead baby sister with Mary Kathleen O’Brien's live baby, but she felt rushed and pressured at the time. This woman was dieing. “Take the box at the front of the wagon. And...T-T-Take this.” the woman said. Colleen obeyed. A golden watch and a box full of money.

Mary Kathleen said her husband was cruel and that he could change like a wounded animal. She was right. Bonnie, the new baby, was doing well. It was the end of the summer and a prairie fire was progressively getting closer.
Clay O'Brien was back from gambling out west, and he wanted his money. And his girl. He didn't care as much about the baby. Now all Colleen has to do is keep her secret. Not that hard, right? Wrong.

This amazing book is only $1.25 (paperback). I highly encourage anyone that is 9+ to read Prairie Whispers. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down! I'll bet you will do the same. Frances Arrington has written other books such as Bluestem ($5.95 hardcover).

[Czechgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book! I would have never even read this book if it wasn't on the Battle of the Books contest in which I am coaching for my school district. I had never even heard of the book, and I noticed that none of my friends who love middle-grade reads like I do have read it or have put it on their to-be read list. I am so glad I agreed to do this Battle of the Books contest because I would have never encountered this book if I hadn't. The book is full of lies and deceit. I just had to keep on reading until I found out how the protagonist, Colleen, would dig her way out the mess of lies she created. And yes, it is a middle-grade read. I had a hard time putting it down and thought about the book at the times I wasn't reading it.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prairie Whispers, Frances Arrington, HB-B, J-Historical, @ 2003, 10/03. Only 12 year old Colleen knows that her baby sister died just after she was born, and that Colleen put another baby in her place, one whose mother made Colleen promise to take care of the baby just before the mother died. Ma was unconscious, and Pa was away. What could Colleen do? Now the baby's real father shows up and makes trouble for Colleen and her family on the South Dakota prairie in the 1860's. Good.

[Janet Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the Challenge #8 in the Young Adult group I am in. I needed a title starting with "P" to spell APRIL. This was the story of a young girl who gets her life deeper and deeper into a very serious, albeit well-intentioned lie. The prose gives some beautiful description and sense of the pioneer and prairie life.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A compelling (although a bit melodramatic) novel best for grades 6-9. I would have enjoyed this book when I was in junior high school, but as an adult, I do not see tremendous literary value. The value of this book really lies in a good story that may encourage young people to read and perhaps think about the value of honesty. "What a tangled web we weave..."

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year old Colleen has many responsibilities growing up in the prairie including taking care of her younger brother. When Ma has a baby and Colleen now has a secret that is making her lie and it is hard to remember what she has said. So she is hearing whispers in the prairie...will Colleen make choices that show she is growing up into a good person?
A fast YA read.

184 pages

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Basically didn't like this book because it's all about how a girl lies to cover something up and then keeps on lying and then steals some stuff to keep covering. I actually didn't even completely finish it because I got tired of all the deceit. But some parts of the story kept me interested, therefore, the one star.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the same night her mother gave birth to her stillborn sister, Colleen was given a baby by a desperate woman who wanted to keep the baby away from her abusive fusband, yet her family mistakenly believes that child is theirs and now Colleen must decide whether to tell the heartbreaking truth.

[Brett -Tastic!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a wonderous book of a girl keeping a a quite huge secret but unsure if she should tell or not! but when an mysterious man come back looking for what is rightfully his she has to decide rather to come clean and out with the truth or keep this secret that has her every thought.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out on a quick intense slope that led to a very slow middle. The ending once again drew my attention and made a good impression. The story is good but in my opinion could have had more elements to make it better.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life for a young girl on the prairie during the Civil War involves lies, a fire, and a baby.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a juvinile book, but I do enjoy reading them, they are fast reads, and usually pretty good reads

[Riley Koh · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is a good book about how a lie can get bigger and bigger until you can't ascape.

[Alauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Halle · Rating 5 out of 5]

its kinda scary but once u pick it up u cant put it down

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although flawed in character development this book would be great for discussions about honesty. I receommend it for 4th - 6th grade.

[Stefanieq Banner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shallow but sweet.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an o.k. book for a kid. I bought it for Bri and while I was out that day went to lunch alone so I started reading it. I had to finish it to see how it ended.

[Wanda Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a mess the main character gets into. I kept shouting in my mind, "Don't take the money! Don't take the money!"

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a fun read for a sixth-grade girl to imagine having such a secret. A little too simple for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Adult book.