Grandpa's Mountain

by Carolyn Reeder

Based on actual events, this story tells of one girl's fight with her grandfather against the government during the Depression to stop the confiscation of family land in the Blue Ridge Mountains for the creation of a new national park. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Carolyn Reeder was an American writer best known for children's historical novels. She also wrote three non-fiction books about Shenandoah National Park for adults together with her husband. She won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would YOU do if the government decided to buy up your ancestral land to make a park?

Carrie's Grandpa fights it for all he's worth. Grandma hopes for the best and prepares for the worst. And the neighbors have all sorts of opinions. Some are happy to go, glad for the chance to start fresh in the valley. Others just don't think it's worth putting up a fight.

Though I don't think I would fight it the way Carrie's Grandpa did, I do understand the family's feelings about the matter. Then I read this book to my students, expecting them to have similar reactions. To my surprise, they thought Grandpa was over-reacting. One pointed out that at least they were getting paid, whereas Indians all across America were chased from their lands and given much poorer lands in exchange. Another mentioned that her own grandparents had had everything they had worked for in Cuba taken away for much worse reasons than making a park.

When I got to thinking about my students reactions and and my own, I realized a key difference: they all live on land that's been in the family for only a few years. Most of them remember moving into the home where they now live. Whereas I come from a family much more similar to Carrie's family. I pick apples and peaches from trees my Granddaddy planted. I grew up romping in barns and climbing gates that my Great-Granddaddy built. I help my great-aunt decorate for Christmas in the house where Great-Great-Granddaddy raised his family. I show my nephew places where his daddy and I played as children. And I realize I would feel pretty much just like Carrie if we were forced to leave.

This book does a good job of showing that slice of history, including the depression, the CCC, and President FDR.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look and story of the making of the Shenandoah Valley and Mountain Park in the 1930's.
Also one man's fight against the government to save his home and way of life.

[Challenger Monroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the narrative style a bit trite at times, but this book does a wonderful job of telling the story of the community of people who were displaced from their homes in order to create Shenandoah National Park. It's definitely worth the read for anyone who lives in the area and has never heard the story.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to acquaint myself with the Blue Ridge Mountains and how the land was taken from owners by the government--gives a good view to this event which still causes grief to some famlies through a child's eyes--

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for girls 7-12; depending on their reading level. This is a bit of historical fiction depicting families losing their homes in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the making of Shenandoah National Park. The plot is centered on the development of courage in the main character, Carrie.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just felt so good. Very rarely do I find a book that makes me feel like part of the plot as it unfolds. I found myself relating to the characters, all of them, in different ways. I also loved how although this book is technically for children it left me with so much to think about.
The characters grew and learned in so many ways, and I loved all of Grandma's little bits of advice. That said, Grandma was my favorite character. With her quiet but strong personality, sound advice and practically thought processes, I found her relatable and so comforting in many ways.
I also loved Grandpa of course, and I felt like him and Grandma went so perfect together. I loved how he stood up for what he believed and was such a fighter for his land and his family.
I also related to Carrie a lot. I loved how throughout the book she was visibly growing and learning new things and changing from a little girl into a strong young woman. It was satisfying to watch her face her fears and become bold and honest about what she felt and thought.
Overall I enjoyed the atmosphere of this book. There is absolutely no setting that hits quite like a small country town in a book, but maybe I''m just partial because that's what I relate to the most. ;)
Happy reading!!

[Laura Giessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend loaned me this book that depicts the story of how people were moved from their homes and land to create Shenandoah National Park. I had become aware that people were displaced in the making of some national parks but wanted to learn some stories of people who used to live on the land that is now parkland. This historical fiction novel for kids was a great way for me to learn. I am a great appreciator of the parks and would fit the description of the "city slicker" who wants to come out to the park to enjoy nature. If the narrative is accurate, it seems that the government did try to fairly compensate people, and some people seemed happy with the "deal". Still, there were some who just didn't believe that the government had the right to move them off their land and bottom line, didn't believe they would actually do it. I liked seeing the story through the granddaughter's eyes. The parks are such a treasure, but obviously, I do empathize with people who had to give up their homes and their way of life to make way for the change.

[ARLENE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice coming of age story as well as a historical fiction about the creation of the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Just after the Depression the government decided to make a national park in Virginia so that others can see the beauty of the area and the Blue Ridge Mountain. Carrie comes to visit her grandparents in their home which is where the park is being planned. The Government is sending people in to get families to leave after they pay for their homes or be evicted. Homes once emptied were burned to the ground to allow the creation of the park. Carrie's grandfather fought with all he had to keep his house and business (a store and gas station) but it wasn't to be. Carrie championed her grandfather's effort and grew up during this summer with her grandparents. It was a good read and gives just a bit of the history of the struggle between the people and the government to build this park. (It is beautiful)

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. It touches on President Roosevelt's decision to create Shenandoah National Park. Readers may find themselves on different sides of the fence when it comes to government taking your land.
What I love about this book is the way the characters deal with hard times and arguments. Some are handled well and some are not. There's a book our there called Crucial Conversation that I plan to read to my homeschooler first, and then compare it to this book. The reading level is off, but I think we can handle it. This one I would recommend to anyone 7 and up. Crucial Conversations is more of an adult self help book that I wish I could draw cartoon characters to help tweens and teens.

[Nat's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart warming middle grade book that i absolutely adore. I loved growing up in the valley and the national park is one of my favorite places. It just goes to show that everything involves sacrifice.

[Joyce Sico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book, so it only took me a day to read it. I think kids aged 10 and up would like to learn about the people who lived in the Shenandoah Mountains when they were making it a national park. Based on a true story, but not sure if the real story ended as well as the book did.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wholesome reading with good lessons. The government at all levels is still today taking homes from people.

[name · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this book 3 years ago and this was the worst book I’ve ever read in my entire life. I’ve never had a stronger urge to jump out a window. If you have insomnia this is the book for you!

[Kj]

another english book that ayce has lolll i really love the grandma i think shes so mature n i aspire to be like her

[Luke Flint · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a special place in my heart because it's the area I grew up in and first read this in the 4th grade.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poignant story about eleven-year-old Carrie. The story takes place during the Depression. Carrie lives in Washington, D.C., but spends every summer with her grandparents in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Their farm, store, and lunchroom seem to be a safe and restful place for her, and every summer is wonderful.

But this summer, the government is taking all of the land to turn it into Shenandoah National Park--and Grandpa vows he will never let them take his land. He does everything possible to save his property, and makes many enemies while he is doing it, because many of his neighbors didn't have the same feelings he did. He turns into a different person--hateful and mean. And poor Carrie is caught in the middle of the terrible times.

This is a good realistic fiction novel which teaches about what happened to the landowners when the government decided to build the Park. It is based on the true story of H.M. Cliser who fought to save his land.

I would probably give the book a 3.5 rating.

[Cws]

JAR5-Ree

[Scott Williams]

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[Diana Eberhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good children's book. Maybe I just have a lot of negative feelings about the ways government (mis)treats people, at the moment.

[Jenny Hoksbergen · Rating 3 out of 5]

would work for 12-13 year old

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12883895