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Wildflower Girl: A Lifelong Journey Beyond the Trail
BOOK OF THE 2019 Idaho Library Association
Growing up in Ketchum, Idaho in the 1950s, Dana Stewart Quinney found magic in the wilds of Idaho's Wood River Valley - unplowed, unskied, untracked, and unpeopled.
Her memoir, Wildflower Girl, recounts the life of an adventurous girl born for a life beyond the trail, leading her to a distinguished career in field biology. From tales of fishing with her father - a fishing guide for Ernest Hemingway and the renowned Sun Valley Resort; to a discovery of new species - each beautifully written chapter takes you on a nostalgic journey of mystery, adventure, and the magic of nature.
"A refreshing and delightful read. Dana expresses her early life experiences with nature so clearly and vividly - it reminded me not to be so overwhelmed with present day issues and to appreciate the past events in my life. Thanks, Dana." - Peter Walker, District Forest Ranger of the U.S. Forest Service (Ret)
Growing up in Ketchum, Idaho in the 1950s, Dana Stewart Quinney found magic in the wilds of Idaho's Wood River Valley - unplowed, unskied, untracked, and unpeopled.
Her memoir, Wildflower Girl, recounts the life of an adventurous girl born for a life beyond the trail, leading her to a distinguished career in field biology. From tales of fishing with her father - a fishing guide for Ernest Hemingway and the renowned Sun Valley Resort; to a discovery of new species - each beautifully written chapter takes you on a nostalgic journey of mystery, adventure, and the magic of nature.
"A refreshing and delightful read. Dana expresses her early life experiences with nature so clearly and vividly - it reminded me not to be so overwhelmed with present day issues and to appreciate the past events in my life. Thanks, Dana." - Peter Walker, District Forest Ranger of the U.S. Forest Service (Ret)
226 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2019
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192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 22, 2023
From the library
A delightful set of childhood vignettes
A must read if you know central Idaho.
A delightful set of childhood vignettes
A must read if you know central Idaho.
December 12, 2020
Wildflower Girl is beautifully written, full of interesting history and inspiring events from the author's childhood in Idaho. As someone who also loves the outdoors, her stories challenged me to explore more deeply and look more inquisitively at the world around me.
January 6, 2021
This book was about the memoirs of a Dana who grew up in Ketchum, Idaho in the 50’s. She tells different stories of her life and growing up at the hills of Fourhills playing among wildflowers and vast land. It was written in almost a short story format and quickly jumps from story to story. Overall a good read but seems a bit surface level to me.
July 14, 2024
A wonderful and comforting read! Set in the valley where I live, I know many of the places mentioned though the author's recounting of her experiences in these familiar locations bring a deeper insight and more appreciation for them as well as a feeling of commonality with the author herself. Dana Quinney has truly led a unique and remarkable life and I have very much enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with the Wildflower Girl!
September 3, 2024
Heartwarming and wholesome is how I feel lead to describe this beautifully written work of art. It is a step back in time in Idaho to a simpler and more magical time here adolescence. I read this book slowly because I truly enjoy every story, every dream, every word.
Thank you for bringing us this true treasure!
Thank you for bringing us this true treasure!
November 12, 2020
I’m so glad I received a copy of this book! Dana Stewart Quinney’s life is one of wonder with her connection to nature. Her writing portrayed the Idaho landscape in a magical and dreamy way. She shares stories of herself, such as fishing with her grandfather, taming a wild horse and discovering a new species. Fascinating!
May 5, 2025
Review Wildflower Girl
My! This has to be one of the best memoirs I’ve read for a long time.
Dana grew up in a small town with the sort of idyllic childhood that is only imagined in Disney films: fishing, riding her horse in the hillsides, snowshoeing to out of the way places alone, swimming in the creek, picking wildflowers, and meeting film stars (how I would have loved to meet Russ Tamblyn as Dana did). Dana was also slightly out of the ordinary.
From an early age, the author, who has an incredible memory – partially due to her mother’s teachings, preferred solo activities and never felt she ‘fit in’. But Dana always followed her own path which led to a successful career in biology.
Her writing is almost poetic at times and incredibly evocative, even if the type of childhood she had rarely still exists. There are times when modern parents might gasp at the things Dana got up to alone, but I felt myself following Dana’s journey avidly. Maybe it was because I too was more interested as a youngster in nature than make-up, frogs than dolls and also managed to make a career of my interests, but this memoir resonated in a perfect pitch, like a pool frog chorus on a still night.
Highly recommended.
My! This has to be one of the best memoirs I’ve read for a long time.
Dana grew up in a small town with the sort of idyllic childhood that is only imagined in Disney films: fishing, riding her horse in the hillsides, snowshoeing to out of the way places alone, swimming in the creek, picking wildflowers, and meeting film stars (how I would have loved to meet Russ Tamblyn as Dana did). Dana was also slightly out of the ordinary.
From an early age, the author, who has an incredible memory – partially due to her mother’s teachings, preferred solo activities and never felt she ‘fit in’. But Dana always followed her own path which led to a successful career in biology.
Her writing is almost poetic at times and incredibly evocative, even if the type of childhood she had rarely still exists. There are times when modern parents might gasp at the things Dana got up to alone, but I felt myself following Dana’s journey avidly. Maybe it was because I too was more interested as a youngster in nature than make-up, frogs than dolls and also managed to make a career of my interests, but this memoir resonated in a perfect pitch, like a pool frog chorus on a still night.
Highly recommended.
November 12, 2020
This book was wonderful to read during this turbulent November. Dana Quinney was born in the mid-'40s and grew up in Ketchum, Idaho . . . long, long before the internet, cell phones, helicopter parenting, a con man president, etc. Even as a very young child, she was allowed to go outside to explore nature by herself. This memoir is filled with small adventures, tiny observations, wildflowers, fairies, fly fishing, snowshoeing, horseback riding and so much more.
It even provides glimpses of the famous Idaho residents at the time, such as Ernest Hemingway and Norma Shearer. Plus, the author includes a description of the filming of the avalanche scene in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". All the "famous" stuff in the book is trivial, though, compared to all the author's memories of being a child allowed to roam and explore. A child never totally fitting in later with her teenage peers. A child who would grow up to be a writer and so much more.
(Note: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)
It even provides glimpses of the famous Idaho residents at the time, such as Ernest Hemingway and Norma Shearer. Plus, the author includes a description of the filming of the avalanche scene in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". All the "famous" stuff in the book is trivial, though, compared to all the author's memories of being a child allowed to roam and explore. A child never totally fitting in later with her teenage peers. A child who would grow up to be a writer and so much more.
(Note: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)
November 12, 2020
Nature is my life
Dana grew up in the small town of Ketchum, Idaho. Surrounded by mountains, hills, rivers, ponds and the occasional mine. She loved nature and thus never fit in with the in crowd because she was different. She spent her time collecting wild flowers, reading, and riding her horse.
Dana tells the story of her life growing up in short little stories which are interesting and many times humorous. I loved them all, each and every one. I think my favorite was the story of her pet turtle Crusader.
The descriptions are vivid enough you can see them while reading, the family life and her closeness with her father in the wilds hunting, fishing, prospecting and just looking at the stars is heartwarming.
Dana had a good life and she spent her life among the flowers, the lands and the small creatures she so loved.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I would recommend
Thanks to Dana Stewart Quinney, Hidden Shelf Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
Dana grew up in the small town of Ketchum, Idaho. Surrounded by mountains, hills, rivers, ponds and the occasional mine. She loved nature and thus never fit in with the in crowd because she was different. She spent her time collecting wild flowers, reading, and riding her horse.
Dana tells the story of her life growing up in short little stories which are interesting and many times humorous. I loved them all, each and every one. I think my favorite was the story of her pet turtle Crusader.
The descriptions are vivid enough you can see them while reading, the family life and her closeness with her father in the wilds hunting, fishing, prospecting and just looking at the stars is heartwarming.
Dana had a good life and she spent her life among the flowers, the lands and the small creatures she so loved.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I would recommend
Thanks to Dana Stewart Quinney, Hidden Shelf Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
March 1, 2021
Quinney writes a charming, whimsical memoir of growing up in Ketchum, Idaho. She haunted the hills and roamed the valleys endlessly as a child in the 1940s-1950s. Her parents interacted with Ernest Hemingway and movie stars often visited the area on location. I enjoyed reading about her seemingly idyllic childhood. My favorite chapter is the one where the public library opened and she is allowed to help unpack the books. I can relate to that because my small town’s library fed my voracious appetite for reading for years, way before inter library loans. One thing did puzzle me, she has a younger sister, but did not mention any kind of a relationship with her, which I thought was odd. She describes a good relationship with her parents and grandparents, but is silent about her sister. Thanks To Hidden Shelf Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.
May 6, 2020
Gorgeous prose filled stories
Dana writes like I remember, tales spun like gold in the flecks of a glistening stream, there are just too many to mention, but I loved the turtle, shag the horse, the bittersweet tale of Ralph, and so many others. She allows you to see and feel the sensation of what she lived, through the eyes of innocence and truth. As a poet, her words captured my imagination and swept me away to salmon streams, and grassy hills where I could pluck wildflowers for my senses. Highly recommend this if you need to get swept away to a place from yesterday and a quiet peace can be found.
Dana writes like I remember, tales spun like gold in the flecks of a glistening stream, there are just too many to mention, but I loved the turtle, shag the horse, the bittersweet tale of Ralph, and so many others. She allows you to see and feel the sensation of what she lived, through the eyes of innocence and truth. As a poet, her words captured my imagination and swept me away to salmon streams, and grassy hills where I could pluck wildflowers for my senses. Highly recommend this if you need to get swept away to a place from yesterday and a quiet peace can be found.
January 6, 2021
This book was about the memoirs of a Dana who grew up in Ketchum, Idaho in the 50’s. She tells different stories of her life and growing up at the hills of Fourhills playing among wildflowers and vast land. It was written in almost a short story format and quickly jumps from story to story. Overall a good read but seems a bit surface level to me.
February 19, 2023
A peek into my childhood
I grew up in Idaho and spent many summers fishing in the Wood River Valley with my folks. This book was a beautiful and poetic trip down memory lane for me. I spent countless days playing in the woods, and dreaming of exciting adventures searching for treasure and fairies. Thank you for writing this book, Dana, I won't soon forget it.
I grew up in Idaho and spent many summers fishing in the Wood River Valley with my folks. This book was a beautiful and poetic trip down memory lane for me. I spent countless days playing in the woods, and dreaming of exciting adventures searching for treasure and fairies. Thank you for writing this book, Dana, I won't soon forget it.
August 16, 2024
Delightful autobiography of a girl growing up in Ketchum, Idaho in the ‘50’s. loving wildflowers,fishing,and everything about the natural environment. Great decriptions of her adventures in the wild,-riding a her horse, fishing, and growing up. Fun to recognize the places now full of civilization, when they were still wild!
And. beautiful knowledge of wildflowers and fishing!
And. beautiful knowledge of wildflowers and fishing!
May 18, 2021
I thought I had already left a review for this wonderful book, but apparently not.
I loved every beautiful word, every evocative sentence.
Dana had a life so alien to my own, I was riveted.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
I loved every beautiful word, every evocative sentence.
Dana had a life so alien to my own, I was riveted.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
March 29, 2020
Beautifully written memoirs that capture childhood, adventure, loss, discovery, and the wild of Idaho in the 1950’s
October 4, 2021
This is simply one of the most enchanting memoirs I've ever read.
November 3, 2021
Beautiful imagery! This is a lovely read for any nature lover
December 16, 2024
I prefer a scripted novel to childlike ramblings about nature.
December 19, 2020
I really loved this book: both the setting and the time frame. Quinney’s reminiscences about famous people who lived or worked in Sun Valley in the 1950s and 60s were especially interesting. I also appreciate how her writing was family-focused and I found myself feeling a great respect for her parents and how they raised her. I’d recommend this to anyone, but you’ll especially love it if you grew up in Idaho ❤️
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews