The Blue Hill Meadows

by Cynthia Rylant, Ellen Beier (Illustrator)

Willie Meadow lives with his mother, father, and brother in Blue Hill, Virginia. It’s peaceful there—a perfect place for growing up. And for the Meadow family, each season of the year holds something special. Like the puppies born to their beloved dog one summer, a fishing trip on a crisp October day, or the thrill of a rare winter blizzard. Delicate illustrations and evocative text in a book so full of warmth and charm that you might find yourself wishing you, too, could live in Blue Hill—or at least visit for a good long while.

Genres: Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Kids, Animals

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. Would that irl families and communities could be this wonderful. From the moment we're told that "Meadow" is the name of the family, the book is too good to be true. But hey, it's still wonderful to read about, and inspirational. I love the details in the concise text and the engaging pictures. Recommended, as are just about all of Rylant's works.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a love of a book! I wanted to hug it for a long time when I finished reading it. Cynthia Rylant is one of my favorite authors and she shines here. It’s amazing that in just four short chapters, I felt I had come to know the Meadow family as dear friends. Each chapter takes place during one of the seasons. The spring chapter is devoted to the family finding and adopting their much-loved dog (who happens to be pregnant). Fall is a fishing expedition that young Willie and his father take together. Winter involves a surprise blizzard and Willie taking refuge at his teacher’s house until his folks can reach him (and learning that his teacher is a multi-faceted human being and not just A Teacher all the time). Spring finds Willie trying to think of the perfect gift for his mom for Mother’s Day (and, oh, how I love his thoughtfulness, and sensitivity in perceptiveness, and the present he ultimately gives her). These tales are sweet, full of love and wisdom, the beauty of nature and the beauty of family togetherness. Some may argue it’s a bit too perfect

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply lovely. I wish it would have been longer as I enjoyed every story with the Meadow family.

This was a Christmas gift from my sister to my son and it was such a great gift for his age. I’m excited for my other kiddos to read it.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Read aloud to my almost six year old. It was sweet and wholesome!

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant is at her best in life's simplest moments. The Blue Hill Meadows centers around a family living in the idyllic, fictitious mountain country of Blue Hill. Each season we check in with them: summer brings a stray dog and her pups; autumn, a fishing trip with dad; winter whirls through with a blizzard; and, spring is all about mom. A sweet early chapter book. I wish Rylant had continued tales of the Meadows.

[Johanna Florez]

Sweet accounts of peaceful family life through each season of a year. It's written for children, but the illustrations and sensory details are pleasant and calming for adults too.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really packaged as a chapter book - but there are only 4 chapters (4 seasons) and they are short and pretty stand alone so I feel it is closer to a picture book.

The writing was lovely and lyrical and really understated. It was much more about the feeling/jist of a situation than the actual details and the characterization is sketchy (because it doesn't really matter).

The illustrations are lovely - of places and things -- and the people are absent or secondary (to go along with the characterization above.

An interesting read for a kid's book -- nice and quiet and calm and we enjoyed it. Lovely watercolors.

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylant has a nice rhythm and colloquial feel to her writing that I enjoy. In this book, a family has seasonal experiences such as a blizzard and wild rabbits in the spring. My favorite chapter is when the youngest of two boys spends the day with his father. It's touching without being saccharine. Another Rylant success. Logan enjoyed the same chapters I did. I think the idea of father-son time touched a chord in him.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant is one of my favorite children’s author, and while this one is cute it just doesn’t have the magic that her other books have. Still would likely recommend, but most of her other books are so much better.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book with perfectly paired illustrations. My favorite quote from the book: " Willie didn't mind being a dog and sometimes wished he could stay one a good long while."

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful second grade story!

[Yo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy story.
Cozy illustrations.
Liked the art.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In October in Blue Hill, the world was so pretty it set everyone in a good mood. Houses were thick with the scent of apples bubbling on stove tops, and gardens lay ripe with the flowering of good green kale. In the front yard of the Meadow family house, a sign advertised PUMPKINS - $1 APIECE, and beside the green garage, pumpkins of every shape and personality beckoned to be set out on a front porch stoop.

This beginning-reader collection of short stories, one for each season, paints a lovely picture of one family's rural life in words -- particularly in the first story, which is all about adopting a stray dog who shortly thereafter delivers puppies -- but it's the actual paintings by Beier that caused me to not only pull this off the library shelf but take it home for further study. I just love all the little in-line images that supplement the text like clipart (though that's far too low-brow a description for the detail here), particularly the images of houses and other buildings. I want to have lunch at The Anchor...

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the life that takes place at the Blue Hill Meadows. First, Dad found a dog that the family called "Lady". She had puppies, and they gave them all away but one, which they kept. Then, Dad took Willie fishing on a beautiful October day. Next, there was a blizzard after school started, and Willie got to go home with his teacher until his family came to get him. Last of all, the boys were looking forward to Mother's Day. Ray already had his gift wrapped, but Willie had to think and think before he figured out what he wanted to do for his mom. Blue Hill Meadows sounds like a wonderful place to grow up!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four short stories that take you through the seasons. I liked the first (summer) probably the most about a dog that comes to the Meadow family and how the youngest boy in the family, Willie, bonds with her.
Next is Fall "October Lake" about Willie and his father and their fishing day.
Then Winter with "Blizzard Party" where Willie can't find his bus home and goes to his teacher's house (which is close to the school) until his parents and brother can get to him. Snow is rare for their town and enjoyed.
Spring "A Perfect Gift" is about Willie figuring out a mother's day gift for his mom. I loved the creative idea. This was probably my 2nd favorite of the four.

[Bella]

The Blue Hill Meadows by Ellen Beler, This book is a realistic novel，This book mainly tells the story of a little boy and his animals，I chose this book because I think its cover is very warm，when I was halfway through, I thought its plot was very good-looking. It gave me an idea of ​​wanting to read it. The characterization of this book is also very good.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book about a sweet family! Each chapter tells a story from one season of the year in the life of the Meadows family from adopting a dog to having an impromptu blizzard party. These short tales leave a lovely impression of family life with illustrations that highlight the beauty of the seasons. It's one of my most favorite children's books!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read this aloud to my 9 yr old daughter. One word to describe it is cozy. I really enjoyed the writing. The descriptions are so vivid and I would be so happy to go visit Blue Hill. This book contains very short stories about the Meadows family.

[Deni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture/chapter book. If you are looking for a book similar to Little House books that is shorter and between a picture and chapter book, this would be a great one! I read it to my 6 and 9 year old girl and boy in just a few days and they really liked it!

[Joy Musselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet short chapter book about The Meadow family who enjoys happy family times together in their dreamy home throughout the four seasons. This is a very nostalgic and happy book perfect for your advanced beginning reader.

[Marina Brungardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book for my 5 and 3 year old read aloud. 5 year old is fascinated with how it sounds like something that really happened, and wants to know if the characters are real, and if we can plant a garden for rabbits.

I really enjoyed the seasonal structure of the book and the beautiful language.

[Deborah]

Quiet, lovely, beautifully written.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little book about the simple joys of a happy family life, can be read in one sitting.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet seasonal story with a lovely, loving family.
I always love Cynthia Rylant.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very relaxing and sweet. The descriptions of nature and family life are very sophisticated and detailed for a children's book.

[Carly Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 cute stories written about the same family in a precious town. There are four short chapters, one for each season.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful children's book with 4 short stories (1 for each season of the year). Each story features Willie Meadow who lives with his family in Blue Hill, Virginia.

[Cassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud with Izzy 5 yo. This is a great little chapter book, read in a few sittings. Sweet stories across the seasons. I wish it was longer!

[Am.Aversa]

This book is focused around a family of four. The book is broken down by season-four chapters. During the summer, their dog has puppies. During fall, they go fishing. During winter, there is a blizzard and they play in the snow. During spring, the boys were making gifts for their mother for Mother's Day.
Genre: Realistic Fiction

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family values are enough to bring tears to your eyes in this book.