In an unusual blend of fiction and nonfiction, A Pioneer Sampler chronicles one year in the lives of the Robinson family. Illustrated historical notes enlarge on the social history and describe activities related to the stories, from churning butter to predicting the weather. Young readers are invited to try their hand at these tasks to experience a bit of pioneer life.
Pioneer Sampler: The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840 FROM THE PUBLISHER In an unusual blend of fiction and nonfiction, A Pioneer Sampler chronicles one year in the lives of the imaginary Robinson family. The stories illuminate not only pioneer farm life, but situations-dealing with the school bully, competition between siblings-that occur in any era. Illustrated historical notes enlarge on the social history and describe activities related to the stories, from operating a grist mill and arranging a country store to spinning wool and making butter. Barbara Greenwood and Heather Collins cover an enormous range of subjects, for a complete and involving look at a historical period and a way of life.
FROM THE CRITICS Publishers Weekly Slaughtering hogs, making butter and telling time by the sun are all chronicled in the life of a pioneer family. PW said in a starred review: "As a resource, it's a must-have for anyone with even the remotest interest in this period of American history." Ages 8-12. (Mar.)
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot This provides a wonderful look at everyday life more than 150 years ago. While fiction, it is filled with facts about working and living on the American frontier. Black-and-white drawings and a selection of activities make this a natural for inquisitive kids.
School Library Journal Gr 5-8-Greenwood introduces the fictional Robertsons and, through the family's activities, describes the details of everyday life on the frontier circa 1840. This mix of story and information makes the book a natural for use in whole-language classrooms. Report writers in traditional programs will find useful facts and diagrams tucked in between the fictional segments. Food, clothing, schooling, social life, household equipment, building, and more are covered in the wide-ranging text. The detailed black-and-white drawings are both decorative and informative. Edwin Tunis covers a wider range of topics in Frontier Living (Crowell, 1976) for a slightly older audience. For younger readers, Raymond Bial's Frontier Home (Houghton, 1993) has a narrower focus; his full-color photographs of actual (and reproduced) artifacts add interest. Where pioneer living is part of the curriculum and for readers fascinated by the time period, Greenwood's title will be a welcome and useful addition.-Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
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