After years of waiting, it is finally Libby Ryan’s turn to shine at the Practical County Fair. Libby is filled with excitement as she and her...
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reviews
Dec 19, 2010
Christina
rated it: 
Fun story about raising a steer for the county fair. I learned a lot about cows and county fairs in this book! Twelve year old Libby lives on an Indiana cattle farm, and has always dreamed of showing a steer that would become the Grand Champion; she wants to outshine her older brother, who's been the family champion cow-show-person. (See, I don't even know how to describe this stuff, I am such a city girl!) She ends up with two steer, one's docile and perfect, while the other is stubborn and orn
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Aug 09, 2009
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY is a sweet coming-of-age novel.
Libby loves the cow farm she's grown up on. But she's lived in her brother's shadow and her father has never noticed her when it comes to the farm. When her brother heads off to college, Libby is granted the chance to raise two calves for the next county fair. She will only be able to show one of the calves, but she has the opportunity to show her father what she ca More...
THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY is a sweet coming-of-age novel.
Libby loves the cow farm she's grown up on. But she's lived in her brother's shadow and her father has never noticed her when it comes to the farm. When her brother heads off to college, Libby is granted the chance to raise two calves for the next county fair. She will only be able to show one of the calves, but she has the opportunity to show her father what she ca More...
May 20, 2009
Ann
rated it: 
Ages 9+ (nothing objectionable, other than catty girls)
7th grader Libby Ryan is from a long line of northern Indiana cattlemen. This year, with her older brother Ronnie starting his freshman year at Purdue, it's up to her to raise the prize steer for the Practical County fair. Supported by her best friend, Carol Ann, and antagonized by the awful Darling sisters (Precious, Lil and Ohma), she develops a close bond with her two steer and struggles with the knowledge that the animals sh More...
7th grader Libby Ryan is from a long line of northern Indiana cattlemen. This year, with her older brother Ronnie starting his freshman year at Purdue, it's up to her to raise the prize steer for the Practical County fair. Supported by her best friend, Carol Ann, and antagonized by the awful Darling sisters (Precious, Lil and Ohma), she develops a close bond with her two steer and struggles with the knowledge that the animals sh More...
May 11, 2009
Talia
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Libby Ryan is getting ready to follow in the family footsteps and raise and show cattle at the county fair. She picks two calves and raises them, wanting to beat the evil Darling sisters (Precious, Lil, and Ohma) who don’t even care about animals, but just want to make money. Libby becomes attached to her calves, Piggy and Mule, and after one of them dies, she wonders if showing cattle is even for her. Should she quit, showing everyone (including her father, who thinks showing cattle isn’t a gir
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Feb 02, 2009
edh
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This was a nice debut from a new author. YA lit needs more books with rural settings, and this is a solid contribution. Libby Ryan, the heroine, lives on her family farm and discovers the hard way why you never *ever* name livestock. While experiencing the trials and tribulations of raising competitive steers, Libby feels a tad overshadowed by her successful older brother studying Ag at Purdue. The antagonists are the Darling sisters, whose personalities are just as gag-worthy as their names
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Dec 01, 2010
Ashley
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Libby Ryan a very smart girl with a lot of potential and courage. Now she has to raise two cattle and prove to her dad that she is just as good as her older brother Ronnie. After a few months of preparing for the Practical County Fair, everything is starting to become a big deal to Libby. Not only is she growing closer to her steels with each passing day but the pressure to win Grand Champion is mounting in her head but Libby’s mother also ropes her into entering the Beef Princess Beauty Pageant
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Jul 18, 2011
Kay
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Just in time for county fair season (okay, just past our county fair), I read The Beef Princess of Practical County (Scholastic 2010) by Michelle Houts. If the county fair is the highlight of your summer–whether you complete 4-H posters, show animals, compete in the fair pageant, or just take it all in, you will enjoy Libby’s story.
This is Libby’s first time to show steers at the Practical County Fair in Nowhere, IN, and she is determined that she can live up to the Ryan family name a More...
This is Libby’s first time to show steers at the Practical County Fair in Nowhere, IN, and she is determined that she can live up to the Ryan family name a More...
Jun 14, 2010
Kirby
rated it:
One of my local booksellers said she passed on this book because she didn't think kids in our area could relate to a girl who raises and sells her own steer. She changed her mind when I pointed out that 4H is huge in the eastern part of our county.
And for those of us who will never raise a steer or goat or even a rabbit, I think this is an important book because it portrays a way of life we city folk never experience. And Libby is a likable character who struggles with the tensions bet More...
And for those of us who will never raise a steer or goat or even a rabbit, I think this is an important book because it portrays a way of life we city folk never experience. And Libby is a likable character who struggles with the tensions bet More...
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May 26, 2011
April
rated it:
A must read for all girls, young and old, who have ever showed cattle or anyone who would love to read about a wholesome farming family. I loved it! The market is full of books that are full of depressing topics and how horrible life can be--Yuck! This book makes you laugh and remember what it is like taking care of animals, your family and your family farm. This book is for the girls who work hard on their projects--not just the girls that show up on "Show Day" all dressed up and r
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Mar 17, 2011
Emily
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I liked this book for many reasons, but namely because it hit so close to home. I grew up on a farm in rural Ohio and raising livestock for show and sale purposes was a part of life. While I never got too attached to our fair animals, I can identify with Libby in this coming of age story. I liked it because it is the story of where I am and where I came from. I also liked it because Houts writes in such a clear and honest way without pretension. The book is well-written, but never more than
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Apr 18, 2009
Yan
rated it: 
One of the odder storylines, Beef Princess still manages to hold onto the readers’ attention while maintaining its rural background.
I am not quite sure what to say about this book—it is unlike anything else I have read. The storyline focuses more of the growth of the steers and Libby’s ambition to make her father proud. In some ways I can relate to Libby. Being overshadowed to an older sibling you are forever compared to and judged by their accomplishments. Can you do better? The st More...
I am not quite sure what to say about this book—it is unlike anything else I have read. The storyline focuses more of the growth of the steers and Libby’s ambition to make her father proud. In some ways I can relate to Libby. Being overshadowed to an older sibling you are forever compared to and judged by their accomplishments. Can you do better? The st More...
Jul 17, 2009
carissa
rated it:
Recommended Ages: grades 5-8
Twelve-year-old Libby, the daughter of an Indiana cattle farmer, raises two calves in hopes of winning the annual steer competition at the county fair, but fails to follow her father's warning about developing a bond with animals that are destined to be sold at auction.
I thought this was a pretty good book. It takes place on a cattle farm in northern Indiana, so I would recommend it for public/school libraries in small, farming communities. T More...
Twelve-year-old Libby, the daughter of an Indiana cattle farmer, raises two calves in hopes of winning the annual steer competition at the county fair, but fails to follow her father's warning about developing a bond with animals that are destined to be sold at auction.
I thought this was a pretty good book. It takes place on a cattle farm in northern Indiana, so I would recommend it for public/school libraries in small, farming communities. T More...
Nov 29, 2009
Sandra
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For anyone who ever grew up in a farming town this book may just be a trip down memory lane. Growing up on a farm I named all of our animals, even when I knew they were to be sold or butchered. I therefore identified with Libby Ryan. She grew up in the shadow of her brother and for me it was an older sister. There comes a time when parents have to let you learn by making some of your own mistakes. This is what Libby’s parents finally do. She learns to believe in herself and work hard for her dre
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Sep 12, 2009
David
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Love this book. The Beef Princess of Practical County is tough and an emotional roller coaster--such an exceptional treatment of country life and the people and traditions who sustain it. Even more exceptional for its realistic depiction of a girl's journey to adulthood, with its mix of joy and bitter compromises. The perfect novel for middle readers who want a novel that feels realer than real.
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Feb 27, 2011
Anna
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To Begin: This is more of a middle grade book, and I knew that going into it, but I wanted to get it because I can relate to it. My dad has a farm and he raises beef cattle, too, so I've grown up around this type of thing.
Characters: Libby was a wonderful character. She was well defined, and you can relate to her, and see where she's coming from with the issues she deals with in this book. However, I felt like the adults in the book - her mother, her father, and her grandfather, for More...
Characters: Libby was a wonderful character. She was well defined, and you can relate to her, and see where she's coming from with the issues she deals with in this book. However, I felt like the adults in the book - her mother, her father, and her grandfather, for More...
Jan 08, 2010
Christi
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Twelve-year-old Libby Ryan wants to show her family that she can help fill the shoes of her older brother on the farm, now that he's gone off to college. One way she feels she can do this is to win a grand champion ribbon at the Practical County Fair with one of the two steers she got to raise for her steer project. It would also be great if she could keep out of the raidar of the school bullies the three Darling sisters:Precious, Lil and Omha.
Apr 24, 2009
Claire
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Think Dairy Queen for ten to twelve year olds. Libby has two beef she is raising for show cattle- these are cattle that are raised, shown for prizes and then sold for beef in their prime. Unfortunately Libby, who is a true cattlewoman, falls in love with these bovine wonders and struggles with their inevitable fate. Toss in a great girlfriend and three evil nemesis and you have a county fair event to remember.
Oct 31, 2010
Nancy
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I loved it... It brought back fond memories of the county fair--and it's even set in my home state of Indiana! I thought the voice of 12-year-old Libby, the main character, was authentic. I liked her family and friends too, and I couldn't help but love to hate her arch-rivals the Darlings! If you grew up in the country on or near a farm, you will relate to this story. If you're city folk, you'll enjoy getting a glimpse into life on a farm.
Aug 22, 2011
Agt26847
rated it:
This book is amazing! A 12 year old girl named Libby gets 2 calves to raise and enter into a contest.Her older brother is in colege and always did the contest and now he can not.Libbie`s dad thiks girls can not raise cows, so libby wants to prove to him they can. Libby looses 1 of the calves and makes better connections with people and cows.
Apr 26, 2010
Lorrie
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This book was a walk down the memory lane of all the 4-H fairs I participated in growing up. (I am very glad a showed horses that did not need to be auctioned at the end of fair week.) This book would be enjoyed by any past 4-Her or their children who can't understand what their parents are talking about until they experience it themselves.
Dec 14, 2011
Jenilyn
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I thought this book was okay. It wasn't terrible or anything, but there was just something about it that didn't really grab me. I think in the end it relates to my "schema" (as Dr. Thompson-Book put it). The book is about a girl who is raising her first steer to put into the county fair in hopes that it will be named champion and someone will buy it. It's very much about the country and raising cattle and things like that, which I can't relate to at all. I've never really been around t
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Apr 20, 2011
Sarah
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The author does a good job describing the life of living on a farm. The author also has Libby face challenges that a normal girl would face during their teenage years. As a teacher, this chapter book could be used in the upper level classes as examples of family expectations, competitions, and pet relationships.
Nov 04, 2011
Ashley
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I really enjoyed this book. I can really relate to this book because the highlight of many young childrens' summers is the annual fair. I would use this book right before the summer vacation to spark writing and conversations about what children will be doing over their summer.
Oct 18, 2010
Donna
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My niece who teaches in Wilmington recommend this teen novel that they are using in her class. The author lives near Dayton, OH and the story is set in a northern Indiana farm community. I enjoyed reading it very much and always enjoy a local author.
Oct 14, 2009
Room 605
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Having grown up on a farm and been around my share of show animals, I could really relate to this book. I loved it for that reason. I'm not sure how non-farm-raised kids would like it, but it's worth the read just to see the names the Darling parents give their daughters.
Apr 22, 2009
Well, I had to read this book, since I once raised a steer for the county fair and entered the Beef Princess...oops, I mean, the Beef Cook-Off competition at our highschool a time or two. It was a fun enough read to make me glad I did.
Feb 27, 2011
Very realistic depiction of life on a beef farm. I couldn’t help but find humor in Libby’s story because is was quite similar to my own life. I even shared her brief stint of being a vegetarian when I auctioned off my one and only beef steer Elmer. I rarely eat red meat to this day.
Although I enjoyed reading the story, I thought the plot was mundane and predictable. In addition, some of the subplots seemed incomplete and almost unneeded. Especially the pageant competition, I’m not More...
Although I enjoyed reading the story, I thought the plot was mundane and predictable. In addition, some of the subplots seemed incomplete and almost unneeded. Especially the pageant competition, I’m not More...
May 01, 2011
Molly
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A really sweet story about Libby, a 12-year old, who has to learn about the tradition of her beef-raising family the hard way. She becomes too attached to the cows she must raise, show, and then sell.
Aug 11, 2009
Alexis
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This is a new book that just came out and I got it at the library really quick. it was really good! I didn't think it would be cause the title is kind of weird, but it was really good!
May 28, 2009
Tracie
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3.5 stars would be more accurate. A young girl raises a steer for the county fair and learns more about who she is in the process. The writer lives in Ohio so the tie-in is a bonus.
