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185th out of 301 books
—
1,969 voters
Crossing the Tracks
by
Barbara Stuber (Goodreads Author)
At fifteen, Iris is a hobo of sorts -- no home, no family, no direction. After her mother’s early death, Iris’s father focuses on big plans for his new shoe stores and his latest girlfriend, and has no time for his daughter. Unbeknownst to her, he hires Iris out as housekeeper and companion for a country doctor’s elderly mother. Suddenly Iris is alone, stuck in gritty rura...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
July 6th 2010
by Margaret K. McElderry Books
(first published June 18th 2010)
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Before I ramble on about how come I think you should give this book I try I wanted to give a mention to the cover. It's beautiful but more than that I liked that it's illustrated and you can tell the cover artist put some time and effort into it. It reflects the story and I appreciate that. That vast blue sky showing opportunity and crossing into something new is what the story is about. What happened to those kinds of covers?
I'm afraid these sorts of books get overlooked quite a bit, getting lo...more
I'm afraid these sorts of books get overlooked quite a bit, getting lo...more
While there are many things I find bewildering about this book--it is, as it acknowledges, kind of morbid, for instance--it is exceedingly well-crafted and well worth a read, if you don't read exclusively feel-good stories. It is also BLESSEDLY SHORT. (Which is, I suppose, part of the well-craftedness.) In theme, setting, characters, etc, it's sort of a logical YA followup to Richard Peck's country historical fiction books (A Year Down Yonder etc).
Recommended generally if you aren't bothered by...more
Recommended generally if you aren't bothered by...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Sep 10, 2012
Emilee (Fantastical Paper Realm)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
favorites,
made-me-think
I am not one of those people who just picks up random books at the library based on their completely engrossing cover. But then this book came along, it's cover and title is so poetic. It looks sad and dreary, but with hope of what might be on the other side. I had it pinned as a typical coming of age story, I put it back down. I came back to it, I had to read it.
It did not disappoint. It's set in 1916, it's about a 15 year old girl who's widowed father sends her to live with a doctor and his m...more
It did not disappoint. It's set in 1916, it's about a 15 year old girl who's widowed father sends her to live with a doctor and his m...more
The main character, Iris, was a fifteen year old girl living in Atichson, Kansas in the year 1925. Her mother had died of tuberculosis when she was 5 and her father, after a string of girlfriends, had found someone special - Celeste. Iris was being sent away to work for the summer in Wellsford, Missouri and not very happy about it. "...my perfectly healthy father has mistaken me for a piece of furniture that doesn't fit in his house, his life, anymore."
This was a beautiful book. The writing was...more
This was a beautiful book. The writing was...more
I keep trying to find something eloquent to say, and I really can't. This came following a few very disappointing reads, and it made them all worth it -- wow. Gorgeous language, with stunning imagery and incredibly painful moments. And this is such a wonderful story of pain, the pain we carry inside of ourselves and the ways we inflict it on each other, and the ways we don't, the ways we transcend that pain. And even more refreshingly, it's a story about women -- women and their friendships and...more
A quarter of the way into this I really wanted to like it because it's so beautifully written and is local to me, but wasn't sure I'd be able to make myself care enough for the character and her issues that seemed a little too removed from what I can relate to and bordering on the softly mundane. Three-quarters of the way through I'd been reminded how powerful subtle understatement can be with a little time, because I was completely involved in Iris's life, found myself feeling what she felt as...more
Crossing the Tracks, by Barbara Stuber is a gem of a book.
Barbara Stuber’s award winning first novel lives up to its promise of beautiful writing and fascinating narrative storytelling. From the opening scene of a five year old Iris playing beneath her mother’s coffin to the home of Dr. Nesbitt in Wellesford, Missouri, where Iris has been sent by her busy father to work – the 1926 rural landscape and atmosphere is perfect. This is a wonderful historical novel that you savor as you read. Ms. Stub...more
Barbara Stuber’s award winning first novel lives up to its promise of beautiful writing and fascinating narrative storytelling. From the opening scene of a five year old Iris playing beneath her mother’s coffin to the home of Dr. Nesbitt in Wellesford, Missouri, where Iris has been sent by her busy father to work – the 1926 rural landscape and atmosphere is perfect. This is a wonderful historical novel that you savor as you read. Ms. Stub...more
Beautiful. Wonderfully drawn chracters with a plot that pulls you in from the first page.
Iris is sent away to live with a doctor and his elderly mother to be her companion and help out around the house. Her father simply announces it without any consideration of what she wants and because Iris can't stand up for herself, she goes. And it's the best thing that ever happens to her, not that she sees it that way from the beginning.
Iris' mother died when she was five years old and her relationship...more
Iris is sent away to live with a doctor and his elderly mother to be her companion and help out around the house. Her father simply announces it without any consideration of what she wants and because Iris can't stand up for herself, she goes. And it's the best thing that ever happens to her, not that she sees it that way from the beginning.
Iris' mother died when she was five years old and her relationship...more
This is my choice for the Morris winner. A very simple book that follows a simple arc and yet snares you from the get-go and holds you close even when the story ends. This book works like real life: things just happen, the characters react to them and consequences follow. Sometimes the consequences are not as big as other books would lead you to believe; often they are internal changes and that's what this book shows. We see, through hints, letters, casual words, decorating choices how all of th...more
Crossing the Tracks is a beautiful coming of story set in the 1920s but written in a way that will resonate with readers today. Iris is a strong character undergoing many changes and Stuber plays them out both age and time appropriately. Incorporating letters to further tell the story adds a welcomed element as well and shows more insight into the characters.
Iris has had an unusual upbringing, particularly for the time, as she lost her mother at an early age. Now at fifteen, she's aware that her...more
I won this book in a contest. The author signed it and left me a gracious note. I opened the book and was immediately drawn into the story of Iris.
All the characters in this book are well drawn, from the ones I liked to the ones I was uncomfortable reading. I not only came to care for Iris, but also the two people she lived with and the dog!
The writing was beautiful, too.
This story has tender, funny and heartwarming themes. Home and family come through very strongly as do love and loyalty.
No sto...more
All the characters in this book are well drawn, from the ones I liked to the ones I was uncomfortable reading. I not only came to care for Iris, but also the two people she lived with and the dog!
The writing was beautiful, too.
This story has tender, funny and heartwarming themes. Home and family come through very strongly as do love and loyalty.
No sto...more
Surprisingly good historical fiction. Honestly, there's not much "sexy" or otherwise overtly appealing to YA readers about a 15 year old living in Kansas whose shoe-store proprietor father farms her out to be companion to an elderly woman during the Depression years. A complete lack of vampires, angels, unicorns, futuristic gladiatorial combat, or even mean girls. Oh, wait, there IS a mean girl: Dot, the 13-year-old spiteful daughter of a pervy farmer working the land owned by the doctor Avery N...more
I'm really not good at writing reviews. I always intend to elaborate but usually just say, "I loved it!" or something like that. So I thought if I tried to write something while the book is fresh in my mind, it would help.
Set in the 20's, Iris is 15 years old and her mother has been dead for 10 years. She lives with her father, who is very distant and seems to only care about his shoe store business. When he hires her out for the summer to care for a doctor's elderly mother in another town, she...more
Set in the 20's, Iris is 15 years old and her mother has been dead for 10 years. She lives with her father, who is very distant and seems to only care about his shoe store business. When he hires her out for the summer to care for a doctor's elderly mother in another town, she...more
"By the way, do you two know what 'hobo' really means?"
"No, ma'am."
"It means 'homeward bound'."
Fifteen-year-old Iris Baldwin is alone. Her mother died when she was five and her father has spent the years in-between providing for Iris, but not caring for her. Now he wants to open up a new shoe store in Kansas City but unbeknownst to Iris, she will not be joining him and his young girlfriend. Instead, she will be shipped off to rural Wellesford, Missouri, where she has been hired out to serve as h...more
"No, ma'am."
"It means 'homeward bound'."
Fifteen-year-old Iris Baldwin is alone. Her mother died when she was five and her father has spent the years in-between providing for Iris, but not caring for her. Now he wants to open up a new shoe store in Kansas City but unbeknownst to Iris, she will not be joining him and his young girlfriend. Instead, she will be shipped off to rural Wellesford, Missouri, where she has been hired out to serve as h...more
One of my book groups, has a member who knows the author, and she's going
came speak to us!
came speak to us!
Don't you love discovering a wonderful new author? I was so mesmerized by debut novelist Barbara Stuber's Crossing the Tracks that I just couldn't put it down, even when it was time for lunch, doing the laundry, or walking the dog. I fell in love with the main character, 15-year old Iris Baldwin; when the novel opens, it's 1926, and Iris' father, a shoe-store owner and widower who's soon to remarry, hires Iris out for the summer to be a companion to a country doctor's invalid mother in rural Mis...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Good historical fiction read. Strong female character with good, quirky supporting cast. We have it in Children's, but I think it has lots of teen appeal. In fact, I would probably put it in teen. The main character's mother died when she is young and now her dad sends her off for the summer to work as an assistant to an ailing woman. When she arrives, she finds the woman is not as ailing as she thought and is very spirited, and the woman's son is a nice man who is the towns doctor. Some of the...more
I am sometimes hesitant to read historical fiction; I don't know why, I usually like it once I get started, but it's almost never my first choice. I chose this title because it was a Morris Award Honor book, and, boy, am I glad I did! This book is perfect--hopeful, gentle, funny, and dramatic. I grew to love Iris, the Nesbitts, Leroy, Marie, and Olive, and I was sad when the book came to an end and I had to say goodbye to them. This is another of those books where you close it, then hold it to y...more
Dear Readers,
I have recently finished reading the book,Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber, and I rate it to be 5 stars. The first few pages of the book captured my attention. Iris, the protagonist of the story, is describing every emotion and everything that was going on during her mother's death. She was so young at that time, that she could not really understand much of what was going on, but later all the sadness and pain starts to hit her as she gets older. I feel some sympathy for her,...more
I have recently finished reading the book,Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber, and I rate it to be 5 stars. The first few pages of the book captured my attention. Iris, the protagonist of the story, is describing every emotion and everything that was going on during her mother's death. She was so young at that time, that she could not really understand much of what was going on, but later all the sadness and pain starts to hit her as she gets older. I feel some sympathy for her,...more
Finished this a week ago and forgot to log in here :) Written by a local author who came to our book club, is absolutely charming, and who talked about the fine art connections to the novel - very interesting. Having said that, I'm just not sure this should be a YA novel. While the themes are relevant to teens (first period, first love, father taking a new wife) and not juveniles (incest theme), I don't think that many teens are interested in reading historical fiction of this nature. If my book...more
This was another summer reading book for me, and I know for a fact that the only reason it was picked for this assignment is because it takes place in Missouri. Apparently, that factor cancels out the fact that this wasn't a very good book. Iris is a girl living with her father after her mother dies of tuberculosis. Then her father ships her off to some doctor's farm for absolutely no reason whatsoever. That is literally all that happens in this book. The plot is that nonexistent.
Okay, I did hav...more
Okay, I did hav...more
The thing I liked best about this book was that it seemed pretty original. Upon closer inspection there were some very traditional plot elements - lonely teenage girl gets sent away, finds acceptance, battles evil neighbor, etc. However, Stuber did a great job presenting these to me in a way that made them feel new and original. It was somewhat predictable (happy ending, loose ends all tied up), but at the same time, I enjoyed the characters and their histories. The boyfriend seemed a little mor...more
I like to read historical fiction every once and awhile. For some reason I can't often get students interested in historical books, but this one has the added bonus of being written by a KC-area author AND the book is set in KS and MO. The storyline revolves around Iris, a teenage girl sent by her father to live on a rural MO farm to serve as a helper for a rural doctor and his elderly mother. She has a strained relationship with her father, misses her special friend from home, and isn't sure wh...more
Another coming of age book of a girl who is alone in this world till the people whom she is hired to take care of end up caring for her as well. It is an endearing female story of survival and of making enduring bonds between the hearts of those close to us, and extending our hands to help those who cannot help themselves. I was happy to find out that his is a local author! Hurray! I only wish I had a daughter so I would have been able to attend the Tea for Mothers and Daughters that the Mission...more
"Crossing the Tracks" tells the story of Iris, a girl in 1920s Kansas, sent to live with an Missouri family as domestic help while her widowed father prepares for remarriage. The family -- a country doctor and his elderly mother -- are on the eccentric side, and Iris warms to them as they warm to her. Iris struggles with grief for the mother she barely knew and jealously over the new woman taking so much of her father's time, but also learns the value of friendship old and new and the freedoms a...more
I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Iris, experiences major losses of people who are close to her and of everything she knew. The story opens up with the death of her mother when she was just a little girl and resumes when she's in her late teens. Throughout the book, Irish is confronted with many challenges and overcomes them with the help of her friend, Leroy, and the love of people who have helped her along the way, The Nesbitts. The major theme throughout this book is overcoming...more
In 1920s Missouri, Iris, whose father owns a shoe store, enjoys a nice if isolated life. Since her mother's death some ten years ago, her father has kept her at a clean distance. When he decides to open a new store in Kansas City, he sends Iris away for the summer to work as a companion to a country doctor's invalid mother. From the train ride, which kills a hobo, Iris is exposed to dust of life - drunken neighbors, spiteful girls, sickness and birth. These isn't a glossy tale, despite the roman...more
Crossing the Tracks is solidly good young adult fiction. Set in the 1920s, it concerns a motherless 15-year-old girl, Iris, who is sent by her father (and his well-meant, but grasping girlfriend) to minister to an elderly woman and her adult doctor son. Little does Iris know that the elderly woman is down, but not entirely out, with plenty of wisdom to impart to Iris. She, and her doctor-son, are just the sort of surrogate parents Iris needs as she experiences what unfolds over the course of the...more
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In the fourth grade Barbara Stuber co-authored her first book – a "Diotionary" (sic)of nonsense words. Early spelling challenges resolved she now weaves those words into short stories and novels. When not writing, Barbara is an art museum docent, drawing inspiration for her characters and honing details of setting and plot from the museum’s vast resource of portraits, landscapes and sculpture.
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“I’ve never seen an old person cry like this. The sadness from life is supposed to be folded inside an old person, not streaming out. - Iris from Crossing the Tracks”
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Mar 20, 2012 10:12pm
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