Books by horseback : a librarian's brave journey to deliver books to children

Library	Call Number	Format	Status	Item Holds
Searching... Abington Public Library	BER	J BOOK	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
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Winner of the 2021 Northern Lights Book Awards--Historical Category

Books By Horseback is a breathtaking adventure of a heroic Pack Horse Librarian who braves the harsh terrain of rural Kentucky to bring books to children who need them.

" Capturing one librarian's breathtaking fictional journey is a riveting way to showcase and honor the risky work of these real librarians, and the text communicates a deep reverence for their mission-and their tremendous fortitude. Educational and inspiring." - Kirkus Reviews

"The fictional narrative proves captivating as young readers learn the lengths real-life librarians went to serve their communities during the Great Depression." - Publishers Weekly

"This is an excellent forum for bringing history and literacy together while broadening the experiences and perspectives of young readers."- School Library Journal

"Vibrant illustrations anchor this tale . . . of intrepid female librarians delivering books to far-flung isolated homesteads in the rolling hills of Kentucky. The pictures are eye-popping and fill each page right to the edges." - Jon G. Bradley, Historical Novel Society

During the Great Depression, food, education, and opportunities were scarce. Kentucky had fallen behind its neighboring states in electricity and highways, and the folks who lived in the craggy, mountainous, Appalachia region were struggling to survive. But courageous librarians were up to the challenge!

Edith, a young Pack Horse Librarian, and her faithful horse Dan, adventure through rough terrain and a pending storm in order to deliver books to kids who desperately need them in this richly illustrated tale. Edith, like all Pack Horse Librarians, heroically risked their own safety to serve the most vulnerable members of their community. Librarians like Edith helped an entire generation learn to read and gain lifesaving knowledge in a critical time in history.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2--A simple story about the lengths that people will go to in support of literacy. Delivering books on the back of a horse is no easy task. Faced with storms and flooding creek beds, Edith, who is white, and her trusty horse Dan make their way through the mountains to ensure William gets his adventure book. But with the weather and terrain, Edith and Dan have an adventure of their own. The story is greatly enhanced with panoramic illustrations in single- and double-page spreads. With a natural, earthy palette throughout, close perspective drawings appear on single pages, while action and depth are spread across two-page expanses that convey the danger and vastness of the area that Edith must traverse to complete her task. This is an excellent forum for bringing history and literacy together while broadening the experiences and perspectives of young readers. VERDICT Whether to incorporate into lessons about transportation or on westward expansion, this is an excellent addition for libraries and classrooms.--Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford Coll., TX

Publisher's Weekly Review

In rural Kentucky, Edith, a pale, freckled human with a red braid, is a packhorse librarian, who "travels for miles to deliver books" every day atop her trusty brown steed, Dan. Berne describes Edith's journey to deliver books to one white family, the Caudills, employing plenty of sensory details that effectively convey the stakes ("Water splashes up onto Dan's chest. Edith grips the book sack tight. If her books get wet, they'll be ruined"). Urbinati contributes absorbing natural spreads awash with muted color, depicting dynamic characters in the ever-smiling Edith and lithe Dan. The book ends on a strangely tense note ("The creeks are going to be extra dangerous after the rain"), but the fictional narrative proves captivating as young readers learn the lengths real-life librarians went to serve their communities during the Great Depression. Back matter includes an author's note and bibliography. Ages 4--8. (May)

Quincy Thomas Crane Library

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Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Publisher's Weekly Review