A Fine Start: Meg's Prairie Diary (3)

Meg's Prairie Diary #3

by Kate McMullan

In her third and final diary, by Kate McMullan, Meg continues to face the hardships of life on the prairie with her brave and sweet spirit.

Meg continues to describe the daily realities on the prairie as she and her family make their lives in Kansas. Throughout these times of difficulty and joy, Meg is always courageous and thoughtful.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Diary, Historical, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Kate McMullan is an American children's book author.
She is the author of the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. She is married to author and illustrator James McMullan.

She also has books published under the name: Katy Hall.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg and her family have settled into a new life on the prairie in the cozy cabin with Aunt Margaret and Uncle Aubert. There is much to look forward to as the border ruffians have gone back to their home states and life is more peaceful in general. Father is recovering from his bullet wound and there's talk of a school soon. But as always, in the course of life there are happy and sad times and Meg experiences joy and sorrow as she adapts and matures.

I liked this final book in the trilogy the least simply because it lacked the historical connections and action of the first two books. There are a few mentions of of things that tie into previous books, but I didn't learn anything new and the brief action came with danger that was downplayed. It's definitely a wrap-up book providing closure but not as recommendable as the first two in the series.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Three: A Fine Start: Meg’s Prairie Diary, by Kate McMullan
Synopsis: Kansas, 1856. Meg’s story continues. In Book One, Meg and her brother escape the St. Louis cholera epidemic and flee to the Kansas prairie. In Book Two, Meg’s family is reunited on the prairie, but their new life is endangered by the invading Border Ruffians trying to make Kansas a slave state. Now, the Wellses desperately try to return to a calmer life, and Meg longs to go to school. But first she must brave the final obstacles of life on the prairie.
Review: In the third and final book of the series, Meg is hopeful that a school will soon be started in their area. She misses not only instruction, but also friendship with other children. Meg and her family struggle with illness. There are some happy fun times with weddings and other gatherings, but Meg’s father is still having trouble with his wounded shoulder, and her uncle remains in prison. Finally, the school in Lawrence opens and Meg enjoys meeting other students. Uncle Aubert is released from prison, and Meg’s family moves into town where her father opens a store because his wounded shoulder makes it impossible for him to farm. A terrible storm brings destruction to the community, and this time, Meg’s aunt and uncle come to live with Meg’s family in town.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine-year-old Meg Wells begins her third diary in December of 1856. There is peace for now in Kansas Territory, with the pro-slavery soldiers having been forced to return to their home states, but Meg's father is still injured, and the bitter cold of winter has settled upon the prairie. When he is unable to regain the use of one of his arms, the family moves to the town of Lawrence, where he starts a store. Meg describes happy events, as she is finally able to go to school again and makes new friends, and also the dangers of life on the prairie including blizzards and a tornado. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the My America series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eden got this book at the library and I ended up reading it the other day because I didn't have anything else to read. Meg is a 10 year old girl who lives just outside of Lawrence in 1856. Since I grew up in Lawrence, KS, this made the book fun for me. Meg talks about streets and buildings that are oh-so-familiar to my own childhood. The book is very simple, but still sweet.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book three and the final book of Meg’s Prairie Diary. Meg’s family is living with Aunt Margaret until their house is ready in Lawrence. The family has suffered many hardships… Father has the use of only one arm because of a war injury. This is the 1850’s…….Maintaining daily life is laborious. This novel is perfect for anyone who loves this period of history.

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story! All three books of this series were quick reads as they were written in a diary format. I learned a lot about my home state and the area not far from where I grew up. Loved these books!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like in the previous book, the portrayal of Quakers isn't entirely realistic. I am also not entirely sold on calling this trilogy the prairie diaries because they are and they aren't. And even if the previous two didn't, I felt like this historical note should have at least mentioned John Brown.

[Zadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting and a pretty good book. Good for hsitorical fictoin fans and people who are interested in this time zone.

[Malia Gaddis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: "A Fine Start" tells the story of the struggle of a young girl, Meg when she moves from St. Louis to Kansas. Meg takes the struggles of battle and moving and turns it into happiness. Even after the tornadoes hit and the death of Will, she ends her journal entry, the third book, with "my birthday is off to a fine start". Meg's 10th birthday seems to have more meaning than her 9th.

Evaluation: This book is a great way for children to understand how the daily life was in a time period different from their own. Meg's diary is a way for children to see and almost feel how she struggled but uses her struggle to find happiness.

Teaching: I would use this book as a read aloud to discuss how life was in the 19th century. Meg uses her diary to explain the struggles her family faced. The Civil War did not begin until 1861, but Meg claims that the fight had already begun. The students will make a flip book about life such as living conditions. Students will also use this book to see the importance of taking their struggles and making them into happiness.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg's father is trying to recover from his injury against the pro-slavery invaders, but realizes he will no longer be able to be a farmer. Meg is looking forward to having a school open. Everyone encounters a new problem, though, and that is the weather. There's some serious snow which basically turns all the passages into mud, making getting places extremely difficult if not impossible. There is also a tornado which manages to do some damage.

Still, the third book shows everyone pretty much settled in and managing to get on with their lives now that the fighting between the anti-slavery people and the pro-slavery people is pretty much ended.

[Molly]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on the settling of and weather difficulties of 19th century Kansas. As far as I could v determine it was well researched and realistic and does an excellent job of making history vivid and interesting to young readers.