FROM THE PUBLISHER

The North American Prairie stretches from Alberta and Saskatchewan south to Texas, and from the edge of the Rockies east to Illinois. In the same vein as its predecessor about the North Atlantic Coast, this book gathers the literature of the North American Prairie as a way to introduce young readers to the region¿¿¿s natural heritage. Herein readers will enjoy songs and narratives of Plains Indians, tales of 19th-century settlers, and contemporary essays and poems.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Marya Jansen-Gruber

In the great North American prairie there are enormous extremes and wonderful stories, both contemporary and those that come down to us through oral tradition. The collection of stories opens with a story about a blizzard, a 'white out' when you cannot see beyond a few feet in front of you. There is an account about homesteading, a familiar and yet different story about starting a new life out West told through the eyes of a young girl. The stories about the people who first began to live on the prairie lands remind us how hard life was for those first settlers. Nowadays there is a different problem; in this collection there is a tale which describes how a boy tries to find a place, a piece of ground where he can get back in touch with the old wild prairie that once was. Included in this collection are poems and stories about the wild prairie spaces and the creatures that inhabit them. There is an underlying theme of being aware of these wonderful places that are now becoming rare and in need of protection. Perhaps the hope is that by writing and describing the beauty of these prairies, people will better understand that we need to make the effort to protect the little pristine prairie that is left. Throughout the book the reader will find beautiful black-and-white, pen-and-ink illustrations. 2001, Milkweed Editions,

VOYA - ChrisCarlson

This collection of short essays and poems pays tribute to the culture, climate, and critters of the prairie ecoregion, that area of North America that stretches from the foothills of the Rockies to Illinois and from central Canada to west Texas. The harshness of a midwestern blizzard, getting lost in a cornfield, and the multitude of plants and wildflowers that make up a prairie are just a few images that find their way into this collection. Small drawings of many animals and plants of the area enhance the text. Although selections by well-known authors Carl Sandburg and Willa Cather as well as some North American Indian legends are included, most contributors to this collection are less familiar. What comes through in a clear voice is each writer's awe and love for the uniqueness of the region. Although the book will most likely attract readers from this part of the country, its usefulness as a teaching tool should broaden its appeal. Part of the Stories from Where We Live series, the stories and poems can be used as models or as writing prompts to encourage student creativity. Social studies classes will find information about the history of the prairie, and science enthusiasts will find that the appendix details the ecology of the region. The true delight of the book, however, is being transported to the prairie, giving readers a richer appreciation for the people and wildlife found there. Illus. Further Reading. Appendix. VOYA CODES: S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2001, Milkweed Editions, 266p,