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Chaparral Books
Letters to Oma: A Young German Girl's Account of Her First Year in Texas, 1847
When fifteen-year-old Christina Eudora Von Scholl learns that her family will leave their German homeland to seek freedom in Texas, her greatest sorrow is leaving behind her beloved grandmother. And so, in a series of letters, she takes “Oma” on this great adventure with her family . . . and takes us as readers.
Sometimes the letters are dark with discouragement, for the Von Scholls find, as did many German-Texas families, that the Society for the Protection of German Emigrants, known as the Adelsverein, was unable to fulfill its promises of land, housing, horses, and farm implements. But they are Germans, determined and willing to work hard.
More often these letters—and the text woven in between them—are bright with adventure, for Tina finds Texas an exciting, if puzzling, place. There are new customs to learn, new foods to eat, even while the family preserves its traditional German ways. Tina’s adventures include a run-in with a mountain lion, an exciting trip across Texas with her father to Sisterdale, and a frightening encounter with Lipan Indians. Her lessons in being an American are helped by Jeff, a young man who becomes part of the family when he undertakes to teach them to farm in Texas. Tina, in return, teaches Jeff to read and learns a lesson in love that is without nationality.
Letters to Oma is a charming, informative novel that sweeps the reader back to a very particular time and place. And Tina Von Scholl is irresistible as correspondent and as heroine.
Sometimes the letters are dark with discouragement, for the Von Scholls find, as did many German-Texas families, that the Society for the Protection of German Emigrants, known as the Adelsverein, was unable to fulfill its promises of land, housing, horses, and farm implements. But they are Germans, determined and willing to work hard.
More often these letters—and the text woven in between them—are bright with adventure, for Tina finds Texas an exciting, if puzzling, place. There are new customs to learn, new foods to eat, even while the family preserves its traditional German ways. Tina’s adventures include a run-in with a mountain lion, an exciting trip across Texas with her father to Sisterdale, and a frightening encounter with Lipan Indians. Her lessons in being an American are helped by Jeff, a young man who becomes part of the family when he undertakes to teach them to farm in Texas. Tina, in return, teaches Jeff to read and learns a lesson in love that is without nationality.
Letters to Oma is a charming, informative novel that sweeps the reader back to a very particular time and place. And Tina Von Scholl is irresistible as correspondent and as heroine.
162 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 5, 2017
The subject matter intrigues me so much . . . being Texan, I obviously get excited about Texas history. :) The story was interesting and well plotted, but I guess the character development wasn't deep enough for me (of course, it is a children's book). Plus I think I disliked Tina's mother too much. But all in all definitely worth reading.
May 23, 2016
Ironically I borrowed this book from my grandma and I loved it like she thought I would. Historical fiction + quick read + Texas + German immigrants. Great story about life and sacrifice that doesn't only relate to life in 1800's but today. So much to gain from reading this book. Definitely worth the time to read.
June 27, 2022
A captivating story of a young woman and her family's immigration to Texas. A beautiful mixture of letters to her grandmother and 3rd person view of her life. Overall a fantastic story.
August 27, 2010
Teen Historical Fiction
This novella follows the voyage of a young teenager and her family from Germany to Texas in 1847, and their first year of pioneer life. The story is told in third person fiction and letters that Tina writes to her grandmother (Oma) still in Germany.
This is a nice enough story and is informative about the history of German settlers in Texas, unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the Ingalls Little House books and I found it hard to identify with or care about the characters. But it could certainly hold its own against some of the American Girls books - this was published long before that series existed.
This novella follows the voyage of a young teenager and her family from Germany to Texas in 1847, and their first year of pioneer life. The story is told in third person fiction and letters that Tina writes to her grandmother (Oma) still in Germany.
This is a nice enough story and is informative about the history of German settlers in Texas, unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the Ingalls Little House books and I found it hard to identify with or care about the characters. But it could certainly hold its own against some of the American Girls books - this was published long before that series existed.
July 16, 2013
This was a very sweet and easy read. Its a MUST read for anyone living in Texas and interested in the History of its settlers, especially if you live in one of the very saturated German ones. It was written in a very Young Adult fiction style, so it's a breeze to read!
July 23, 2011
I liked it!!!
October 24, 2014
A young girl of German descent writes about frontier life in Texas. This fictional account gives the reader an idea of what life was like in early Texas for foreign immigrants.
July 29, 2015
Very simple, quick read, semi-historical. It was not what I was expecting (my fault).
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews