Black-Eyed Susan

by Jennifer Armstrong

A lyrical novel about a day in the life of a young pioneer girl growing up on the Dakota prairie is now available in a Knopf Paperback edition. This widely praised and beautifully crafted tale deftly evokes the vast expanse of the American West, the hardships faced by pioneer families, and the strong bonds of family and community.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Juvenile

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 1995

About the author

Jennifer Armstrong learned to read and write in Switzerland, in a small school for English speaking children on the shores of Lake Zurich. The school library had no librarian and no catalog – just shelves of interesting books. She selected books on her own, read what she could, and made up the rest. It was perfect. As a result, she made her career choice – to become an author – in first grade. When she and her family returned to the U.S. she discovered that not all children wrote stories and read books, and that not all teachers thought reading real books was important. Nevertheless, she was undaunted. Within a year of leaving college she was a free-lance ghost writer for a popular juvenile book series, and before long published her first trade novel, Steal Away, which won her a Golden Kite Honor for fiction.

More than fifty additional novels and picture books followed, and before long she also tried her hand at nonfiction, winning an Orbis Pictus Award and a Horn Book Honor for her first nonfiction book, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. In late 2003 she will travel to the South Pole with the National Science Foundation to do research for a book on ice.

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute little book about a couple of days in the life of a farm girl raised on the Dakota plains.
The writing was eloquent enough and I enjoyed the imagery, however, I am puzzled as to the ending. Were we to believe, as readers, that the mother's long-term depression was cured by seeing a sunrise and hearing a bird sing?
I could only bring myself to give this book 3/5 stars because I don't understand the point of it. Again, it was a cute story, but there was no message or meaning behind the story at all, it seemed.

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my to-read list for a long time. But when I finally got around to picking up a copy at my library, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting too much from this slim volume.

I am glad to report that I was, in fact, very wrong. This is one of those books that I know I would have loved when I was younger. Reminiscent of books like Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan and even the American Girl Meet Kirsten: An American Girl books, this is definitely for young fans of pioneer/prairie stories.

I was surprised, too, by how much depth was packed into these few pages. Not only was the prose completely lyrical, with Susie's descriptions of the prairie just completely taking my breath away, but there was a lot more going on in this story than I expected. There is Susie's love for the prairie where they live, Susie's father's ambitions for their family and their future, and Susie's mother's very obvious depression.

I would certainly recommend this to younger readers. It's easy to read, but would also be good for expanding reading horizons, with some good vocab words, the depth of the story that I talked about, historical period descriptions, and even some multi-cultural stuff thrown in the mix.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story in the the manner of Laura Ingalls Wilder, or Lois Lowry. Susan loves life on the high plains; the sunflowers growing on the roof of the sod house; the log views across the plains; the capricious wind and the interesting people. I do wish we could apply a bit of modern sensibility to the residents of Medicine fire with their talk of clearing as much of the prairie as possible (it’ll be a dust bowl in a generation, you fool) or complaining about the Sioux who won’t stay on the reservation where they were put (racist!). But the main character is a sweet girl who enjoys everything around her just wants to make her mother happier. Some connection to history in a discussion with children, would make this a worthwhile book.

[Anna Pannell · Rating 2 out of 5]

My copy was an uncorrected Proof, and it shows. The plot was hard to follow and it was unclear who was saying what. I think the characters seemed interesting but again it seemed like the story didn't know what it wanted to be.

[Jessica Kruse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written story; I just wish it was a bit longer so it could be fleshed out more. Also don’t love that the ending implies the mother’s months-long depression was suddenly cured by seeing the sunrise and hearing a canary chirp.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little book, but I wish it had been longer and carried the story further. It was sort of a snippet of one family's life.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outdated references. Redundant language.

[Olivia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought it was going to boring because that's what I heard but actually it was ok. This is about a 10 year old girl and her name is Black Eyed Susan. Her mom used to love the outdoors but now she just mopes around feeling gloomy thinking of her old home, Ohio. Susan feels sad and is worried about her mom.
It was a nice day and Susan found a skull. Those were worth $ back then. Her and pa went to town. They went to the shop and something caught Susan's attention. It was that a piano was in town at the shop! She had never seen one in her whole life!
The two were headed home when they met some friendly strangers along the trip home. Susan found 6 kids and became friends with a boy named Siggi. They were from Iceland and were going a better place that was far. So they were offered to stay the night at Susan's. Soon it came time to go for the new friends and be on their way. Black Eyed Susan gave Siggi a box of feathers and in return to Susan a cage with a Cannery in it.

They all said their good-byes. Susan got her mother to come outside and feel the breeze flowing through their braids and watched the sun rise.

This is a book for all ages and people who like a normal and loving day in the old days!

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black-Eyed Susan is a book adults and children will enjoy equally. The seeming simplicity of the tale belies rich poetic images that took my breath away. The tenderness and love with which the characters interact with one another will make you feel warm all over, and maybe a renewed hope for humankind. The theme is also unusual for a children's book - Susan's mother is suffering from depression, although no one at that time knew what it was. How her daughter rouses her out of it, with the help of a chance encounter with strangers, is extremely powerful and moving.

Armstrong has thoroughly researched the time period this story takes place in, and it flows naturally so the reader feels she is right there in the story. Lovely illustrations add to the mood.

[Zoe Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting had my head wrapped around at times and lost it at others. I truly appreciate the authors thought and devotion it was very well written. Susan is a 10 year old kid she enjoys living in her house on the prairie. It is has a very peaceful mind set that is going to make you appreciate life (in my opinion). On the negative side it got a little boring. But you got to find out what books you are into if you read this and if you are looking for something that will have you thinking and being more loving this is the book for you. my 3> and brain went on a roller coaster adventure through and through this book (in a good way)!
be sure to comment on what you thought and any questions until next book XOXO Zoe Isabella Krebs

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 3-6 120 pgs


? Dakota Territory. 10 year old Susie is determined to find something on the trip into town that will help cheer up her mother. Unlike Susie and Susie's father, Susie's mother misses home in Ohio terribly and doesn't like the sound of the wind or going outside on the prairie.

Okay story, but the ending was a bit abrupt.

[Lisa Rathbun]

This story did not pull me in. It seemed to happen too quickly, and Susan's helping her mother see the beauty of the prarie seemed to come from nowhere. Just not convincing. I'll stick with "Sarah, Plain and Tall."

[Katherine melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Susie would welcome each and every morning on the Dakota prairie with her arms wide open to the sky as well as watching the sunlight dance on the wheat fields as clouds pass through the peaceful horizon.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't imagine being a frontier wife living in a sod house!

[Mia Saegusa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was a really cute little story