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Remembrance "Mem" Nye
Journey to Nowhere
In the spring of 1815, Remembrance "Mem" Nye and her family set off in a covered wagon from their farm in Connecticut to the western New York wilderness. Mem and her mother see it as a journey to nowhere since there won't be any houses or neighbors, just endless forest. Their journey is filled with the uncertain danger of wild animals, raging storms, and cruel strangers. When Mem is unexpectedly separated from her family, she must face every danger alone while hoping to find her family again.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 1997
16 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Auch
45 books70 followersMary Jane Auch also writes as MJ Auch.
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 3, 2008
Remembrance Nye, nicknamed Mem, leaves her beloved grandmother and her home in Connecticut and travels with her parents and brother to upstate New York. Mem quickly learns that life in the wilderness is harder than he had ever imagined. As they travel her mother becomes more distant and sad. When the family arrives at their tract of land, Mem discovers the challenges have just begun. Mem hopes to become a teacher but the demands of homesteading keep her away from school. The few times she is able to go to school she finds that she is tongue-tied and the teacher moves her to the lowest reading group.
Eventually Mem’s family is ready to build their cabin and the neighbors come to help. The company and the new cabin cheer up her mother and Mem thinks life is finally becoming tolerable.
The detailed description of daily life in 1815 adds to the charm of this story. This realistic account conveys the harshness of life on the frontier yet also captures the determination and skill of the pioneers. Mem is an endearing character who quickly captures the reader’s imagination.
This is the first of three books about Mem and her family. The next book is Frozen Summer and the third is Road to Home.
Unlike the Little House on the Prairie series, these stories are not for younger students.
Eventually Mem’s family is ready to build their cabin and the neighbors come to help. The company and the new cabin cheer up her mother and Mem thinks life is finally becoming tolerable.
The detailed description of daily life in 1815 adds to the charm of this story. This realistic account conveys the harshness of life on the frontier yet also captures the determination and skill of the pioneers. Mem is an endearing character who quickly captures the reader’s imagination.
This is the first of three books about Mem and her family. The next book is Frozen Summer and the third is Road to Home.
Unlike the Little House on the Prairie series, these stories are not for younger students.
February 4, 2024
In the spring of 1815, Remembrance Nye, her parents, and her little brother, Joshua, leave the only home they have ever known in Connecticut. Mem’s father has decided that the land in upper state New York will offer the family richer opportunities. To Mem and her mother, it is a journey marked by endless forest, no family, and no neighbors. One morning, just after they set off for the day, Mem falls out of the back of the wagon. The thunder and lightning of the morning’s storm keeps her parents from realizing that she is missing. Mem goes back to the tavern where they spent the night, but she is frightened off by one of the terrible turkey drovers staying there. Lost and alone in the forest, Mem spends the night in a hollow tree. Artemus Ware, a wandering frontiersman finds her, and they head out for New York to find Mem’s family. Then, Mr. Ware is bit by a rattler, and Mem must be brave so she can save his life and be reunited with her family.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
August 8, 2013
Another fun historical fiction with a feisty girl heroine. Exemplifies why I like h.f.--I learned a lot about the time and place. And that was especially enjoyable this time around, because it crossed paths with the family history I'm doing right now. I could put my ancestors into this story. Fun!
The family is interesting. Realistic, in that they argue, have differences, deal with stress. Heroine too--she's upfront about her imperfections. However, I felt like there was maybe too much emphasis on this. But I guess that's Auch's call, if it's what she wants to explore. Anyway, found it an interesting element.
The family is interesting. Realistic, in that they argue, have differences, deal with stress. Heroine too--she's upfront about her imperfections. However, I felt like there was maybe too much emphasis on this. But I guess that's Auch's call, if it's what she wants to explore. Anyway, found it an interesting element.
June 26, 2015
It was really cute and I was constantly trying to guess as to what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to finish the series when I can find the other books to buy.
I gave this book four out of five stars only because it was a little slow in some places and I found some of it rushed towards the second half. But I really enjoyed it nonetheless.
I can honestly say the character development was truly wonderful and I loved to see how each character changed throughout the book. With each situation I got to see how each character would handle it, I thought that was pretty cool to see.
I gave this book four out of five stars only because it was a little slow in some places and I found some of it rushed towards the second half. But I really enjoyed it nonetheless.
I can honestly say the character development was truly wonderful and I loved to see how each character changed throughout the book. With each situation I got to see how each character would handle it, I thought that was pretty cool to see.
May 6, 2008
This book begins a trilogy about a girl and her family relocating to upstate New York in 1815. Picked it up because the time period and location caught my eye. I realized that that would be the approximate time that Joseph Smith and his family were also making that journey to the same area.
I like this first book, liked the resourcefulness of the lead character, Mem. I liked that it ended on a positive note and was anxious to read the next book. My favorite character was Artemus Ware, an odd, kind wandering frontiersman who befriends Mem and helps her out.
I like this first book, liked the resourcefulness of the lead character, Mem. I liked that it ended on a positive note and was anxious to read the next book. My favorite character was Artemus Ware, an odd, kind wandering frontiersman who befriends Mem and helps her out.
September 9, 2010
Mem and her family are leaving the life she loves, and her beloved grandmother to journey west to the Great Lakes region in the early 1800's.
She has a bad attitude to begin with, but proves herself tough and brave. Perhaps tougher and braver than her parents. She becomes separated from them for a time, and is able to survive on her own. She meets an old wanderer who teaches her a thing or two about the forest.
The journey is difficult, but really doesn't get much easier once they reach their destination and must build a cabin and clear land before winter sets in.
She has a bad attitude to begin with, but proves herself tough and brave. Perhaps tougher and braver than her parents. She becomes separated from them for a time, and is able to survive on her own. She meets an old wanderer who teaches her a thing or two about the forest.
The journey is difficult, but really doesn't get much easier once they reach their destination and must build a cabin and clear land before winter sets in.
July 8, 2013
Mem Nye and her family move from their farm in Connecticut to western New York to begin their lives anew. Along the way, 11-year-old Mem gets lost from her family. Soon after they find each other, their wagon tips over in a river, making them lose some of their valuables. When they finally reach their new home, the trees threaten to take Mem and her brother's life. After thinking they are all alone in the wilderness, neighbors come to help raise their cabin. Mem makes a friend and she and her family realize that they really have come home.
January 20, 2015
This book was a interesting, but very short story. It is realistic fiction. It tells us about people who move from the east to the west for more opportunities. This book is about this girl's family who move from the east to west because the west had more money making opportunities, and when they have moved to the west, they happily think of themselves as westerners. The author really describes their journy from the east to the west very well. I would reccommend this book to people who like to read short but meaningful stories.
June 15, 2011
A wonderful work about early pioneers opening up the eastern United States. This book follows the movement of a young girl and her family from Conneticut to New York and thier periolus journey and early settlement. Although a great story and interesting this novel could have been three seperate pieces. A little wordy but overall a great read.
August 22, 2011
Great story! I love that it takes place in my "own backyard". I kept waiting for something awful to happen just out of meanness, but it is so nice to see a story that is hopeful all the way through! Mem and her family have many adventures that have the reader wondering if the family will survive, but it all turns out well in the end. Great for 4th grade and 5th grade pioneer units, too.
September 24, 2014
An easy read and you'll never want to put it down. It's a story about sacrifice, courage, bravery and love. Mem, the main character is a great example of each characteristic, she battles many hardships but stays true to her family through the trials, and makes the most and best out of it. If your ready for an adventure, check it out!
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August 17, 2013Journey to Nowhere is the first book in Mary Jane Auch’s Pioneer trilogy. With a similar feel to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, this series takes place in the New York wilderness and features all of the exciting types of challenges and uncertain dangers that pioneers were confronted with.
August 15, 2014
gr 4-8 197 pgs
1815, move from Connecticut to western NY. 11 year old Remembrance"Mem" Nye and her family leave their home and relatives to journey to the wilderness in NY state.
I think this story would appeal to readers who enjoyed "The Quilt Walk".
Sequel: "The Frozen Summer"
1815, move from Connecticut to western NY. 11 year old Remembrance"Mem" Nye and her family leave their home and relatives to journey to the wilderness in NY state.
I think this story would appeal to readers who enjoyed "The Quilt Walk".
Sequel: "The Frozen Summer"
Currently reading
November 30, 2015I am currently reading this book . I really like this book , and I like how mr. Ware helped mem . But I was scared that he was going to die because of the rattle snake bite . But I hope she find her parents and brother .
March 21, 2008
Loved this tale of pioneering in 1815 from Connecticut to the wilds of western New York. Lots of survival tips.
September 29, 2008
One of the best historical books ever, a great start to the trilogy
October 1, 2008
All of these books scared me when I read them... I was only like 9...
October 23, 2008
I really liked this book! I can't wait to read the others!!
October 11, 2010
A really good story---well written
January 26, 2011
I think if I were a younger reader I would really love this book. Once my daughter is older I will read this to her and we will have to get the sequels.
September 19, 2011
It was a story of a girl moving from conneticut to western new york. i thought it showed bravery and courage
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March 23, 2013Carter and I loved this book! He was fascinated with it being in update New York.
January 31, 2014
A great family read - we are all excited to start the next one!
Read
September 14, 2015A very fun book to read and held my interest. I was eager to see how it ended
February 6, 2016
it is an amazing I have read it in the 6th grade
July 31, 2015
I don't really know what to say... I don't know where this book is leading me!
February 1, 2010
great historical fiction
September 26, 2017
Picked this up for the location - upstate NY - and time period - early 1800s - and I think it's a good book for giving someone an idea of what this pioneer journey might have been like. The things that happen on the journey out are pretty bonkers, but there are a variety of lifestyles and experiences represented.
The MOST fascinating part to me was that I read the Author's Note and she specifically mentioned how she had met up with a person I knew from my grad classes at Brockport! That person was (not surprisingly) a great resource on food of the period.
The MOST fascinating part to me was that I read the Author's Note and she specifically mentioned how she had met up with a person I knew from my grad classes at Brockport! That person was (not surprisingly) a great resource on food of the period.
July 15, 2023
Our book group reads one juvenile book a month. Sometimes the books are good, even for adults. Other times, the books are too juvenile for my taste. This book falls into the second category. Mem almost gets crushed by a falling tree, Mother almost drowns, Joshua almost gets crushed by a tree righting itself, Mother almost gets assaulted by some rowdy fishermen. Get the point? Very juvenile in that bad things don’t really happen, but they almost happen to give the story some tense moments. The part about the trees righting themselves was Interesting. Most of he book was just so so.
July 7, 2017
Going West (Western New York) to the wild, past civilization. We can't even comprehend what the pioneers went through! There are more twists and turns for this poor family than I have ever read about before. From losing a child to their friendless cabin raisin'. I highly recommend this book to every reader ages 11+ (because of content.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews