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The Early Years #1
Maggie
At the turn of the nineteenth century a broad mix of nationalities had intermingled within the United States, creating a nation of cultures that were unique. Sometimes the mixtures created personalities that exhibited indifference, coupled with the hardness of granite. Due to the hardships encountered in an unforgiving environment, harshness of personality became common. Especially on farms where families were intentionally large in order to insure that there would be enough hands within the household to handle the work involved in tilling the soil and harvesting the crops the fields hopefully would yield.
In this environment, children were no more than a product and often treated no more humanely than the cattle. Many times as one group of children was raised and approached adulthood, when they often left the farm, more children were born to take their place. It wasn’t uncommon for a family to consist of nine to twelve children or more, whether by birth or by procurement through one sort or another.
This was the era of the Orphan Train. A time when children who were placed in state custody because their parents were unable to support them, were shipped to all parts of the country to be adopted or placed into servitude as foster children. Children were compelled to grow up fast as a result of the burden of work forced upon them at an early age. In many families the natural born were treated no better than those procured. That was the case for Maggie Blackford. Within the pages that follow is Maggie’s story.
In this environment, children were no more than a product and often treated no more humanely than the cattle. Many times as one group of children was raised and approached adulthood, when they often left the farm, more children were born to take their place. It wasn’t uncommon for a family to consist of nine to twelve children or more, whether by birth or by procurement through one sort or another.
This was the era of the Orphan Train. A time when children who were placed in state custody because their parents were unable to support them, were shipped to all parts of the country to be adopted or placed into servitude as foster children. Children were compelled to grow up fast as a result of the burden of work forced upon them at an early age. In many families the natural born were treated no better than those procured. That was the case for Maggie Blackford. Within the pages that follow is Maggie’s story.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 21, 2016
Good story, a farm life was very hard,alto I could not relate this story to them orphaned train
I feel that her parents were hard and unloving, to her especially, and I can't figure out why.They Mother had her reasons,but it wasn't explained in their story
I feel that her parents were hard and unloving, to her especially, and I can't figure out why.They Mother had her reasons,but it wasn't explained in their story
April 16, 2012
While reading any novel, it is important for me to identify with or like the characters from the very beginning. They are what make the story interesting, exciting and captivating. With Maggie (The Early Years), I was definitely hooked from the start and eager to read on.
Maggie is a young girl whose strained family life leaves much to be desired. Her strenuous days of working on the farm and handling a multitude of household chores till all hours of the night do not gain her any rewards or leeway from either of her parents.
In constant competition with her older sister who can do no wrong, Maggie is constantly proving herself over and over again only to be knocked down each and every time.
Her courageousness and persistence bring her close to getting the life she so desires, but as obstacles get in the way she needs to keep reinventing ways to come closer to that goal.
Maggie is a heartwarming, yet emotional story about fighting against the odds and overcoming adversity. Ms. Henderson has done it again in bringing characters to life and having them take a place in our hearts. I highly recommend this one!
Maggie is a young girl whose strained family life leaves much to be desired. Her strenuous days of working on the farm and handling a multitude of household chores till all hours of the night do not gain her any rewards or leeway from either of her parents.
In constant competition with her older sister who can do no wrong, Maggie is constantly proving herself over and over again only to be knocked down each and every time.
Her courageousness and persistence bring her close to getting the life she so desires, but as obstacles get in the way she needs to keep reinventing ways to come closer to that goal.
Maggie is a heartwarming, yet emotional story about fighting against the odds and overcoming adversity. Ms. Henderson has done it again in bringing characters to life and having them take a place in our hearts. I highly recommend this one!
August 15, 2010
Time Gone By
The story that Melva Henderson has written is one of authentic historical fiction. I can remember hearing of my grandmother’s childhood in Alabama and of her hard times growing up before the depression. Even though Maggie’s childhood takes place in Arkansas, it is a tale of one and the same on the farm. Children were just free work hands that didn’t eat as much as a grown hired hand would have. The events that Maggie lives through yet preservers are a testament to her Irish stubbornness and the woman she will become. Why she doesn’t hate the people that have caused her just injustice is beyond me. Can’t wait to read the sequel in this set to find out what her life has in store. The work is full of authentic country/southern/hill dialect. The tale is spun in a much higher vocabulary creating a full scene.
Joanne Lyons, author
Healing after Divorce...It's About Time!
The story that Melva Henderson has written is one of authentic historical fiction. I can remember hearing of my grandmother’s childhood in Alabama and of her hard times growing up before the depression. Even though Maggie’s childhood takes place in Arkansas, it is a tale of one and the same on the farm. Children were just free work hands that didn’t eat as much as a grown hired hand would have. The events that Maggie lives through yet preservers are a testament to her Irish stubbornness and the woman she will become. Why she doesn’t hate the people that have caused her just injustice is beyond me. Can’t wait to read the sequel in this set to find out what her life has in store. The work is full of authentic country/southern/hill dialect. The tale is spun in a much higher vocabulary creating a full scene.
Joanne Lyons, author
Healing after Divorce...It's About Time!
July 29, 2014
Good story
Good story
I liked this story of Maggie and her resolve to deal with a mean spirited family. I still am wondering why her family disliked her and treated her poorly. knowing that information would have added to the story. if there is a sequel I will read it.
Good story
I liked this story of Maggie and her resolve to deal with a mean spirited family. I still am wondering why her family disliked her and treated her poorly. knowing that information would have added to the story. if there is a sequel I will read it.
March 20, 2014
I loved this book.
it started out good and I didn't want to put it down. That poor girl was so miss treated I would have liked to slapped her parents. I am going to read the sequel to this book because I want to see a happy ending.
it started out good and I didn't want to put it down. That poor girl was so miss treated I would have liked to slapped her parents. I am going to read the sequel to this book because I want to see a happy ending.
September 26, 2015
What a great natural writer! Good story and subject matter. My mom and her siblings worked on a farm starting at the age of three or four and their lives were very difficult to say the least. For me personally, this was a painful read.
October 17, 2015
Maggie
Maggie is a strong heroine who always strives to be her best despite overwhelming circumstances. I swear I wanted to reach through the pages and beat the living daylights out of her parents!
Maggie is a strong heroine who always strives to be her best despite overwhelming circumstances. I swear I wanted to reach through the pages and beat the living daylights out of her parents!
October 29, 2015
Wonderfully written
This book is heart-wrenching that parents could treat their child so cruelly both physically and emotionally. Maggie manages to weather through it all with such confidence.
This book is heart-wrenching that parents could treat their child so cruelly both physically and emotionally. Maggie manages to weather through it all with such confidence.
February 2, 2016
I liked the writing style and story. Her life was very sad, facing one challenge after another, but she determined not to be crushed by family or circumstance. This covers the first 18 years of life, and I wonder what comes next for her.
April 3, 2015
I was hooked the moment I began reading the book. I could connect with the character and enjoyed seeing how Maggie becomes a young woman of strength and perseverance.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews