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I Can Read: Level 4
Prairie School
It is the 1880s. Noah Bidson works hard on the family farm on the Colorado prairie. One day his mother tells him that his aunt Dora is coming to give him some schooling. Noah is angry. What use is reading on the prairie? Aunt Dora arrives, and all the Bidsons are surprised to find that she is confined to a wheelchair. But Aunt Dora doesn't let it stop her. When Noah refuses to learn inside the sod farmhouse, Aunt Dora finds a unique way to show him that there's a whole new world waiting for him. Avi's compelling story is brought to life by Bill Farnsworth's luminous paintings.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2001
4 people are currently reading
462 people want to read
About the author
Avi
346 books1,716 followersAvi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Nothing but the Truth,
and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 14, 2025
Great chapter book for reluctant readers.
February 23, 2012
I like the idea of this book a lot. I think it may be hard to get some kids "into" it... it's a little slow. That being said, there aren't many historical fiction easy readers, and this is a great introduction to life on the prairie in the 1880s. And, it pushes reading! The second half of the book is much better than the first.
January 31, 2020
This is a warm and wonderful easy reader novel of what true mentoring really looks like. This aunt is more than a teacher, she is a real mentor and she brings literacy to both a boy and a family. This is one of the An I Can Read Books and would be a great way for a child to grasp reading and get the message that reading opens up the whole world.
September 4, 2019
This is set in 1880 when Colorado was a new state. The Bidson family moved from Maine to Colorado.
They lived in a sod house but the author didn't say what a sod house was. Kids aren't going to know what that means.
Aunt Dora came to teach Noah as the plot said already, and we knew Noah didn't want to learn because he didn't see any reason for it. But I wasn't prepared for how annoyed I would be. His parents told him they could barely read and they wanted better for him and he ran out of the house. When Aunt Dora asked if he was ready for learning, he said he "don't need no schooling on the prairie." Monday-Friday consisted of Aunt Dora trying to teach him but he kept leaving the house suddenly to do a chore and staying all day so he wouldn't have to learn. It was monotonous and I thought it went on too long.
Aunt Dora became too frustrated to teach but Noah's parents said things were different here and Noah is a prairie dog, so she knew what she had to do. She had him take her around the prairie and told him information on all they saw. He thought she was so smart but she said it was just reading. He finally saw the merits of reading.
Aunt Dora had him learning the alphabet and numbers and before long he was reading on his own. She had him read A Psalm of Life and his dad teared up at how powerful it was. What is A Psalm of Life?! He should have included at least a few lines of the poem.
His parents were proud because he was smarter than them. It was such a profound lesson that reading makes you smarter because that's how you learn things.
One of the things she had told him was that she saw pictures in the sky that the stars made, so once he learned to read, Noah also saw pictures when looking at the sky instead of stars.
It was odd and random to me that Noah said he found a new constellation, a wheelchair with her sitting in it. We didn't need her to fabricate a constellation that was like the aunt. It was enough that he could see constellations without making up a new one.
At the end Aunt Dora said she had to get back home before winter. Noah asked her if it was hard for her to be in a wheelchair. She said it was. He then asked if she would give up all her books and reading to be able to walk. She answered that her mind can go further than her legs can. And since he has both, he'll go far. Kids should see how important it is to get an education in order to go places.
Aunt Dora left but gave him a letter saying that since now he can read they can talk to each other no matter how far apart they are. He wrote his first letter and it showed how powerful it is to know how to read because you can write and converse. He responded that he lives in the prairie but he can now read the whole world. Not really a thought a kid would have, it's a really big idea, but it's also eye-opening that you can learn and understand the whole world, not just where you're at, when you can read.
It was such an important lesson for kids that reading and learning is vital. I didn't know this would be such an informative book. I think the best books for kids are ones that teach important lessons where kids can learn things. The illustrations are beautiful. So many of the pages I just sat there staring at the images, wanting to take them in. The best ones were of the blue sky with clouds, and the prairie grass with wildflowers, the starry night sky, and the pages showing an orange sunset sky and Noah pushing Aunt Dora.
They lived in a sod house but the author didn't say what a sod house was. Kids aren't going to know what that means.
Aunt Dora came to teach Noah as the plot said already, and we knew Noah didn't want to learn because he didn't see any reason for it. But I wasn't prepared for how annoyed I would be. His parents told him they could barely read and they wanted better for him and he ran out of the house. When Aunt Dora asked if he was ready for learning, he said he "don't need no schooling on the prairie." Monday-Friday consisted of Aunt Dora trying to teach him but he kept leaving the house suddenly to do a chore and staying all day so he wouldn't have to learn. It was monotonous and I thought it went on too long.
Aunt Dora became too frustrated to teach but Noah's parents said things were different here and Noah is a prairie dog, so she knew what she had to do. She had him take her around the prairie and told him information on all they saw. He thought she was so smart but she said it was just reading. He finally saw the merits of reading.
Aunt Dora had him learning the alphabet and numbers and before long he was reading on his own. She had him read A Psalm of Life and his dad teared up at how powerful it was. What is A Psalm of Life?! He should have included at least a few lines of the poem.
His parents were proud because he was smarter than them. It was such a profound lesson that reading makes you smarter because that's how you learn things.
One of the things she had told him was that she saw pictures in the sky that the stars made, so once he learned to read, Noah also saw pictures when looking at the sky instead of stars.
It was odd and random to me that Noah said he found a new constellation, a wheelchair with her sitting in it. We didn't need her to fabricate a constellation that was like the aunt. It was enough that he could see constellations without making up a new one.
At the end Aunt Dora said she had to get back home before winter. Noah asked her if it was hard for her to be in a wheelchair. She said it was. He then asked if she would give up all her books and reading to be able to walk. She answered that her mind can go further than her legs can. And since he has both, he'll go far. Kids should see how important it is to get an education in order to go places.
Aunt Dora left but gave him a letter saying that since now he can read they can talk to each other no matter how far apart they are. He wrote his first letter and it showed how powerful it is to know how to read because you can write and converse. He responded that he lives in the prairie but he can now read the whole world. Not really a thought a kid would have, it's a really big idea, but it's also eye-opening that you can learn and understand the whole world, not just where you're at, when you can read.
It was such an important lesson for kids that reading and learning is vital. I didn't know this would be such an informative book. I think the best books for kids are ones that teach important lessons where kids can learn things. The illustrations are beautiful. So many of the pages I just sat there staring at the images, wanting to take them in. The best ones were of the blue sky with clouds, and the prairie grass with wildflowers, the starry night sky, and the pages showing an orange sunset sky and Noah pushing Aunt Dora.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2020
Terrible book on so many levels:
1. The wheel chair is historical inaccurate as are their hair, lack of father’s facial hair, lack of (probably) Christian faith, boy’s lack of respect and manners.
2. No unaccompanied person in a wheelchair could travel alone from the East to Colorado (and back).
3. A wheelchair would not fit and maneuver in a tiny sod home.
4. Taking care of someone in a wheelchair (no bathroom) would have been a tremendous amount of work and care and no one would have surprised a family by showing up in a wheelchair.
5. So preachy about reading. Gag.
6. So politically correct in so many ways and so not historical in any way. This book is twaddle.
1. The wheel chair is historical inaccurate as are their hair, lack of father’s facial hair, lack of (probably) Christian faith, boy’s lack of respect and manners.
2. No unaccompanied person in a wheelchair could travel alone from the East to Colorado (and back).
3. A wheelchair would not fit and maneuver in a tiny sod home.
4. Taking care of someone in a wheelchair (no bathroom) would have been a tremendous amount of work and care and no one would have surprised a family by showing up in a wheelchair.
5. So preachy about reading. Gag.
6. So politically correct in so many ways and so not historical in any way. This book is twaddle.
July 12, 2025
This historical fiction early-reader book tells of Noah who moved with his parents to the Colorado prairie in the 1880s. Noah loves the prairie and does many chores to help around the farm but there is no school for his to attend. His mother's sister, Aunt Dora, comes to visit to teach Noah. Aunt Dora is in a wheelchair but gets around fairly well anyway. Noah doesn't understand why he needs to know how to read and write and finds reasons to stay away, but Aunt Dora uses his love of the prairie to convince him to learn to read. A charming, quick read to both tell about the time and location, but also to emphasize the importance of reading.
June 28, 2019
The ending of Prairie School brought tears to my eyes. Loved it from start to finish. An aunt confined to a wheelchair comes to the prairie at the bequest of her sister, to teach her nephew how to read and write. Initially he is not interested at all and doesn't see that it is needful. His aunt is inspired to teach him out on the prairie and show him all the knowledge we can gain about the things around us when we can read. This was a reading challenge book for my daughter a few years ago. So glad to finally read this uplifting, inspiring story.
April 16, 2019
Prairie School is a good historical fiction book at the late 2nd-3rd grade reading level. It's not a particularly "exciting" story, but it places a high value on education and reading with a definite positive message. I appreciated how the aunt creatively demonstrated the value of learning rather than scolding her nephew for not initially appreciating something he didn't understand. It gives a bit of perspective on 19th century prairie life, but only as an anecdotal aspect of the setting.
August 4, 2025
This is a beautiful story that highlights not only the transformative power of literacy, but also the profound impact of education centered on the heart and the child. Aunt Dora meets Noah right where he is—on the prairie—and gently opens the door to learning by first capturing his heart. Using the world around him to spark his curiosity, she draws him in and ignites a lasting love of learning that continues to grow.
July 13, 2024
This book is super sweet. My daughter will be reading it in 2nd grade so I wanted to read it ahead of her and I’m glad I did. It’s a wonderful story that packs a punch into just a few pages. I was very touched by Aunt Dora’s response to Noah, “… my mind can go farther with books than my body can go with my legs. Having both-like you do- means you’ll go twice as far.”
March 13, 2019
Loved reading this short book as part of our homeschool language arts curriculum. We compared it with Lumber Camp Library for a narrative essay/presentation project. Any historical fiction is so valuable for kids to read!
Read
May 6, 2020In the prairie in the 1800s, Noah works on the farm for his family, his aunt comes to visit and becomes his teacher- although he does not like this and gets out of school very easily. But once he starts to read, his life changes forever.
January 12, 2021
Short and sweet glimpse into prairie life in the 1880s that focuses on the importance of learning to read. At the beginning, a 9yo boy wants nothing to do with education, but by the end, he has learned from his wheelchair-bound aunt that books open up a whole world of possibilities!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
Read as I was looking for literature to add to our second grade home school lineup next year. This missed the mark for me in every way: too didactic but not that useful as historical info, an easy reader but not quite at the right level for my learner, etc.
January 17, 2018
Excellent book about a boy living on the prairie and not wanting to learn to read and write. His aunt teaches him, using the prairie as his school. He ends up loving all he learns.
February 2, 2018
Great little book to inspire young readers as well as their parents and teachers.
August 21, 2018
What a wonderful book!?
September 4, 2018
My son and I loved this book! Such a great message about the joys of learning!
April 30, 2019
Great book about learning to never give up!
October 31, 2019
I love how this delightful little story show how children must be taught in a way they are open to learning. The theme of love for family and for reading makes this a delightful little story.
March 9, 2020
Touching!
April 30, 2020
Quick and inspiring read.
November 28, 2020
In the mid-1800s, Noah's aunt comes to Colorado to teach him, although Noah doesn't want to learn at first.
Good book for beginning readers - classroom library 1st through 4th grade.
Good book for beginning readers - classroom library 1st through 4th grade.
April 12, 2021
I love this book 📖 because the little boy learned to not be so stubborn about learning. That could be a wonderful lesson for all of us!
July 25, 2021
Daughter loved this book so much she read it twice.
January 17, 2023
Mostly fine.
January 5, 2024
Very sweet!
April 7, 2025
A sweet story about the importance of reading. Not much to say, I thought it was well-illustrated and had likeable characters to root for.
August 31, 2009
Award winning author AVI lives in Denver (a fact I didn't realize until reading this little book). In Prairie School, AVI tells a story that takes place as the Colorado Prairie is being settled around 1880. Noah Bidson, a 9 year old, enjoys helping his parents with daily chores around their new home. One day, Noah's mother announces that her sister, Aunt Dora, will be coming to school Noah.
Mother and son are both surprised to discover Aunt Dora uses a wheelchair. "Soon after you went West, a buggy I was driving turned over. I lost the use of my legs."
Over the course of several months, Aunt Dora shows Noah not only what she is still able to do, but also the many things they both can learn about the prairie through books.
"All day Noah wheeled her around. All day Aunt Dora asked questions about what she saw. Noah told her what he knew. Each time, Dora looked into her book and told him more."
As nighttime came they would learn about stars. Toward the end of Aunt Dora's stay, Noah said,
"I found a new constellation."
"What is it?"
"It's called The Wheelchair. And you're sitting in it. See, it's those stars there."
The illustrations are beautifully simple and realistic - a perfect match to the story of Prairie School.
Mother and son are both surprised to discover Aunt Dora uses a wheelchair. "Soon after you went West, a buggy I was driving turned over. I lost the use of my legs."
Over the course of several months, Aunt Dora shows Noah not only what she is still able to do, but also the many things they both can learn about the prairie through books.
"All day Noah wheeled her around. All day Aunt Dora asked questions about what she saw. Noah told her what he knew. Each time, Dora looked into her book and told him more."
As nighttime came they would learn about stars. Toward the end of Aunt Dora's stay, Noah said,
"I found a new constellation."
"What is it?"
"It's called The Wheelchair. And you're sitting in it. See, it's those stars there."
The illustrations are beautifully simple and realistic - a perfect match to the story of Prairie School.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2011
Prairie School was a historical ficiton book. This book is targeted for primary aged children. The book is about a boy named Noah and his family who moved to Colorado from Maine to live on a prairie. Noah helped his dad with all of the chores on the land. He truly enjoyed living out there and did not mind the work. He was happy until the day his mother and father explained that his aunt was coming to live with them to school him. She arrived and Noah nearly refused to follow her directions. He always found an excuse to go out on the prairie. One day his aunt finally had the idea to start teaching him outside and teaching him about things on the prairie. Noah grew to love learning. I rated this book with 5 stars because I really enjoyed it. Noah's aunt was obviously a clever educator. The trick to a subborn kid is always to find something they are interested in and grow and bargain off of that. Once she showed him learning about the prairie could be fun, he trusted her and loved learning. I think children would definitely find this book appealing. It is rather short and has many lovely pictures. I could use this book to describe how school was presented in history or when trying to explain that learning is fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews