Synopses & Reviews
andlt;b andgt;In this moving debut, an immigrant girl discovers that hard work and determination can make dreams come true.andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Katerina has a dream. Itand#8217;s her papaand#8217;s dream, too. Her family came to America to buy their own farm. But a year later, Papa is still working in the dangerous coal mine. Each day, the farm seems farther away.andlt;BRandgt;Then Katerina is reminded of the carp that granted three wishes in an old folktale. When her younger sisters hear the story, they immediately make wishes. Trina doesnand#8217;t believe in such sillinessand#8212;but what is she to think when her sistersand#8217; wishes come true?andlt;BRandgt;A farm is still too big to wish for. But, with the help of the neighborand#8217;s handsome son, Trina starts building her dream with hard work and good sense. Then tragedy strikes, and it seems that nothing Trina wishes for will ever come true again.andlt;BRandgt;With warmth and gentle humor, Jeannie Mobley tells the story of a girl whose determination is as inspiring as her dreams.
Review
"I adored this beautiful debut novel about a spunky Bohemian immigrant girl who dares to realize her familyand#8217;s American dream through creativity and hard work. The loveable characters, vivid setting, and magical folktales completely drew me into Katerinaand#8217;s world, and I didnand#8217;t want to leave."--Laura Resau, author of andlt;Iandgt;Star in the Forestandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;What the Moon Sawandlt;/Iandgt;, and andlt;Iandgt;Red Glassandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
* "Weaving rich details of life in a mining town at the turn of the 20th century with the pacing of a good old-fashioned historical romance and conveying it all in Katerina's heartfelt voice, Mobley has constructed a world where one determined teenager with brains for business, the bravery to stand up for herself and the ability to find love helps make dreams come true."--andlt;Iandgt;Kirkus Reviewsandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Bandgt;*STARREDandlt;/Bandgt;
Review
* "The importance of ingenuity, faith, confidence, and the willingness to dream shine through in a rich story threaded with traditional folk tales, which offers realistic dilemmas and a vibrant setting and cast." < -="" i="" -=""> - Publishers Weekly - < -="" -=""> - , - < -="" b="" -=""> - STARRED - < -="" -="">
Review
"Historical fiction with a touch of whimsy and romance."--andlt;Iandgt;School Library Journalandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
* "Mobley has constructed a world where one determined teenager with brains for business, the bravery to stand up for herself and the ability to find love helps make dreams come true. Top-notch." < -="" i="" -=""> - Kirkus Reviews - < -="" -=""> - , - < -="" b="" -=""> - STARRED - < -="" -="">
Review
*“This vividly imagined first-person narrative features a number of distinct characters within an unusual historical setting…and a note on the Colorado coal camps and the author’s research adds dimension to this multi-dimensional first novel.” Booklist, - < -="" b="" -=""> - STARRED - < -="" -="">
Review
* "The importance of ingenuity, faith, confidence, and the willingness to dream shine through in a rich story threaded with traditional folk tales, which offers realistic dilemmas and a vibrant setting and cast. As Trina rises above the forces conspiring to quash her dream, readers will appreciate her success as she learns the rewards of persistence."--andlt;Iandgt;Publishers Weeklyandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Bandgt;*STARREDandlt;/Bandgt;
Review
andlt;divandgt;"Historical fiction with a touch of whimsy and romance."--andlt;Iandgt;School Library Journalandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/divandgt;
Synopsis
In this moving debut, an immigrant girl discovers that hard work and determination can make dreams come true.
Katerina has a dream. It's her papa's dream, too. Her family came to America to buy their own farm. But a year later, Papa is still working in the dangerous coal mine. Each day, the farm seems farther away.
Then Katerina is reminded of the carp that granted three wishes in an old folktale. When her younger sisters hear the story, they immediately make wishes. Trina doesn't believe in such silliness--but what is she to think when her sisters' wishes come true?
A farm is still too big to wish for. But, with the help of the neighbor's handsome son, Trina starts building her dream with hard work and good sense. Then tragedy strikes, and it seems that nothing Trina wishes for will ever come true again.
With warmth and gentle humor, Jeannie Mobley tells the story of a girl whose determination is as inspiring as her dreams.
Synopsis
Thanks to her superstitious mother, Esther knows some tricks for avoiding bad luck: toss salt over your left shoulder, never button your shirt crooked, and avoid black cats. But even luck can't keep her family safe from the Great Depression. When Pa loses his job, Esther's family leaves their comfy Chicago life behind for a farm in Wisconsin.
Living on a farm comes with lots of hard work, but that means there are plenty of opportunities for Esther to show her mother how helpful she can be. She loves all of the farm animals (except the mean geese) and even better makes a fast friend in lively Bethany. But then Ma sees a sign that Esther just knows is wrong. If believing a superstition makes you miserable, how can that be good luck?
Debut author Gayle Rosengren brings the past to life in this extraordinary, hopeful story.
About the Author
Jeannie Mobley is an archaeologist and professor who lives in Colorado. Her first novel, andlt;iandgt;Katerinaandrsquo;s Wishandlt;/iandgt;, received three starred reviews, won the Colorado Book Award, and was a New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing selection. She is also the author of andlt;iandgt;Searching for Silverheelsandlt;/iandgt;, which received a starred review. Visit her at JeannieMobley.com.