Prairie Skies: Cabin in the Snow

Prairie Skies #2

by Deborah Hopkinson, Patrick Faricy (Illustrator)

STORMS ARE BREWING.

When Charlie and Papa arrive in Lawrence for supplies, they find the bustling Kansas town threatened by border ruffians from pro-slave Missouri. Papa decides to remain behind with other free-soil settlers to defend the town, so Charlie must drive the wagon back to the family's isolated claim by himself.

At home a different sort of storm is brewing -- gray skies, bitter cold, and vicious winds warn that a prairie blizzard is coming. Charlie is always getting into trouble for daydreaming and forgetting his chores. Now he has to show he's grown-up enough to help Momma, his sisters, and his newborn baby brother survive in their tiny cabin in the snow.

Genres: Historical Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wholesome reading.

[Chio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shed light on history I didn't know about, and I enjoyed learning about it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set during the 1850s in Kansas when pioneers flocked to territory to settle the land as a free or a slavery state. Not riveting writing, but depicts an interesting time of American history.

Grace: 5⭐️, Abby 3⭐️

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 2-4 68pgs


1850s, Kansas. When the nearby town of Lawrence is threatened, Charlie must make his way home from town alone while his father stays behind to help. When a blizzard comes, Charlie must be brave and help take care of his siblings and mother.

I liked how Charlie and Flory and their parents are willing to help one another even though they don't agree about slavery.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Two of the Trilogy: STORMS ARE BREWING

We enjoyed this trilogy. We read these after moving to Kansas. They give us such pride in our new home. Kansas fought hard against slavery even before the Civil War.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read it in third grade