Readers will have to wait for the third book to see if the surprising outcome-Papa plans to return to Connecticut-holds, making this a refreshing, highly realistic entry in pioneer fiction. Mem comes through it all and proves an even stronger character than she seemed in the previous book, facing her work with plenty of worry, but very matter of fact about the necessity of toiling on.

Tragedy all but inevitably strikes when Mama and Lily disappear into the bitterly cold countryside, where Mama dies. Papa, hoping to keep the family’s troubles private, becomes increasingly taciturn, and is angry when Mem writes her grandmother for help. Mem names the baby Lily, shoulders Mama’s chores and her own, and attempts to keep up with her studies and her dream of becoming a schoolteacher. Far worse than the crops is Mama’s mental state after giving birth to a child she doesn’t even name, she slips into homesickness and depression, and abandons all maternal and domestic responsibilities. One after another of Papa’s corn plantings turns black he’s out of seed and nearly out of resources. In the Genesee Country of western New York, where the Nyes moved from Connecticut to make a decent living farming, the planting and growing season of 1816 has been plagued by unexpected frosts. Their.The second installment of a frontier trilogy that began with Auch’s Journey to Nowhere (1997) is the vivid story of courageous Mem Nye, who faces responsibilities that would tax a strong adult. Mem and her mother see it as a journey to nowhere since there won't be any houses or neighbors, just endless forest. In the spring of 1815, Remembrance 'Mem' Nye and her family set off in a covered wagon from their farm in Connecticut to the western New York wilderness. First the boys have to find out what the girls are planning for the contest. Read Moreīelieve it or not–and you better believe it–Josh’s dog Arful can talk! This is very useful to Josh and his pals who want to win the school talent contest. It sure is handy having Brian the Brain for a best friend-how else would Josh have a shot at first prize in the science fair and winning tickets to Wonderland Lake? But when Brian plans to hypnotize his dog, Arfie, into thinking he’s a cat, Josh knows he can say goodbye. She lives in Genesee County, New York, where her ancestors settled in the early 19th century.

Mary Jane Auch is the author of many popular books including Journey to Nowhere, Frozen Summer, and I Was a Third Grade Spy.

Seuss to Dora the Explorer, Random House has books featuring Recommendations on our bestselling pre-school,įor a full list of book recommendations try Searchįrom Dr. Jeff Stone lives in the Midwest with his wife and two children and practices the martial arts daily.

Frozen summer mary jane auch