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The Diary of an Isle Royale School Teacher
In this private journal Dorothy Simonson tells of the joys and hardships of a winter spent on Isle Royale. She accounts with honesty and humor the challenges she faced during her eight months as a teacher for a fisherman's family in 1932 - 33.
- GenresMemoirHistoryNonfiction
138 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 3, 2023
An uncommon read of a unique experience. A slice of life look at the daily doings of a Depression era teacher on a remote barely populated island.
Reads like more of a logbook of daily activities and happenings than a diary that shares thoughts and feelings. And while I found it interesting to read about her time on the island, I'm left with unanswered questions: why did she take the job? and why there? A job is a job, but most of us don't willingly choose employment in remote areas, especially with a young son in tow. Why was it only a one-year contract? At times she seemed to be counting down her time until she could leave the island but yet she genuinely seemed to enjoy her time there - would she go back to do it again?
There's not much about her students but she is an invested and hard-working teacher. She adapted well to the quiet, isolated life enjoying the solitude and appreciating nature's power and beauty. She also had a fondness for the tiny community of year-round residents. Days were made more enjoyable by social visits and festive holiday gatherings.
Despite the hardships for Dorothy, and the lingering questions for the reader, it's a restoring reminder of what really gets us through life, day by day, season by season. We must be mindful of that which is before us before present days fade into nothing but memories.
Reads like more of a logbook of daily activities and happenings than a diary that shares thoughts and feelings. And while I found it interesting to read about her time on the island, I'm left with unanswered questions: why did she take the job? and why there? A job is a job, but most of us don't willingly choose employment in remote areas, especially with a young son in tow. Why was it only a one-year contract? At times she seemed to be counting down her time until she could leave the island but yet she genuinely seemed to enjoy her time there - would she go back to do it again?
There's not much about her students but she is an invested and hard-working teacher. She adapted well to the quiet, isolated life enjoying the solitude and appreciating nature's power and beauty. She also had a fondness for the tiny community of year-round residents. Days were made more enjoyable by social visits and festive holiday gatherings.
Despite the hardships for Dorothy, and the lingering questions for the reader, it's a restoring reminder of what really gets us through life, day by day, season by season. We must be mindful of that which is before us before present days fade into nothing but memories.
June 24, 2019
I feel like it's worth explaining my rating for this book (which I've never done before).
The content is amazing: This is the diary of the lone schoolteacher on Isle Royale during the winter of 1932-33. In the depths of the depression, she and her son moved to one of the most remote parts of the United States and taught 6 students in a 1-room schoolhouse. The diary is a glimpse into everyday life at a particularly difficult time, both for her and for the world.
But, this book contains almost no context explaining the diary. Other than a very brief introduction by her son, Bob -- which explains almost nothing -- we're dropped straight into the book. We don't learn how Dorothy Simonson got this job, or why she took it. We don't know what she did before or after it, where she lived -- no background at all. We don't learn anything about the history of the island, or the fishermen's settlement at Chippewa Harbor where she taught. Important events such as "the closed season" go unexplained (for fish, I guess?). On the other hand, every single occurrence of the phrase "wolves" *is* footnoted "[coyotes]" -- every single time -- in case we missed it the other times, I suppose.
This is a fascinating glimpse into Dorothy and Bob's life for one winter, but without enough background and context to even understand who they are and why they're there. Considering that the diary was edited by Bob, Dorothy's son who was with her on the island and could definitely have given that background and context, I would have hoped for a bit more.
Regardless, the diary is fascinating and worth reading. But, expect to leave with a *lot* more questions than you started with.
The content is amazing: This is the diary of the lone schoolteacher on Isle Royale during the winter of 1932-33. In the depths of the depression, she and her son moved to one of the most remote parts of the United States and taught 6 students in a 1-room schoolhouse. The diary is a glimpse into everyday life at a particularly difficult time, both for her and for the world.
But, this book contains almost no context explaining the diary. Other than a very brief introduction by her son, Bob -- which explains almost nothing -- we're dropped straight into the book. We don't learn how Dorothy Simonson got this job, or why she took it. We don't know what she did before or after it, where she lived -- no background at all. We don't learn anything about the history of the island, or the fishermen's settlement at Chippewa Harbor where she taught. Important events such as "the closed season" go unexplained (for fish, I guess?). On the other hand, every single occurrence of the phrase "wolves" *is* footnoted "[coyotes]" -- every single time -- in case we missed it the other times, I suppose.
This is a fascinating glimpse into Dorothy and Bob's life for one winter, but without enough background and context to even understand who they are and why they're there. Considering that the diary was edited by Bob, Dorothy's son who was with her on the island and could definitely have given that background and context, I would have hoped for a bit more.
Regardless, the diary is fascinating and worth reading. But, expect to leave with a *lot* more questions than you started with.
March 8, 2012
The journal of a woman and her 6 yr old son, in the 1930's depression era, who spend Sept-March on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Having hiked this Island National Park several times, we know how rugged but beautifulit is in the summer. Reading the journal of this school teacher living and working there throughout the winter is an incredible insight into what life was like enduring desolation - after the ice on Lake Superior froze there were no food/supplies shipped in till the spring break up. The radio was their only contact with the outside world and if the weather was bad, they didn't have that. The school only had about 8 students ranging in age from 1st grade to high school but covered all the subjects with limited supplies but made it work with willingness. Granted, by the time breakup came, Dorothy Simonson, the teacher, was ready to leave but her journal is a great read. When she left, it was by boat to Grand Marais. Two Harbors and then Duluth. After which, she and her son went by train to Chicago and then by train to Michigan - a journey of many days.
September 21, 2025
Fascinating on so many levels: physical setting, local interest, historical setting, interesting people
August 31, 2015
In August I visited Isle Royale,our country's smallest National Park. It is located on an island in Lake Superior and is very difficult to access. It is only open from late June thru early September. The remoteness of this park struck me soon after we disembarked after our three hours ferry ride this ? Do you really mean there is no WIFI. What if I become sick? We soon adjusted and found great accommodations,good food and world class hiking.....and we were only staying for four
days.
At the visitor's Center I found this journal of a woman who spent a winter on the island teaching the six children of miners and fisherman and her own six year old son during the winter of 1932-33.....the depression. This was deep in the depression and she, a single mother, needed the $65 a
month contract.
The bitter cold, the frozen lake, the same old moose meat and potato suppers. the only contact with the world was over and inconsistent radio that totally failed when the batteries were frozen.
In spite of all the barriers, the children learned history by listening to the inauguration of FDR and learned math through the financial crisis, and read books stocked early in September by the Department of Education of Michigan. I would like to know more about this remarkable woman.
days.
At the visitor's Center I found this journal of a woman who spent a winter on the island teaching the six children of miners and fisherman and her own six year old son during the winter of 1932-33.....the depression. This was deep in the depression and she, a single mother, needed the $65 a
month contract.
The bitter cold, the frozen lake, the same old moose meat and potato suppers. the only contact with the world was over and inconsistent radio that totally failed when the batteries were frozen.
In spite of all the barriers, the children learned history by listening to the inauguration of FDR and learned math through the financial crisis, and read books stocked early in September by the Department of Education of Michigan. I would like to know more about this remarkable woman.
July 15, 2014
A great journal capturing the way life was lived on Isle Royale in 1932/1933. With only sporadic radio communication, not supplies for several months, no doctors, life was rough for young school teacher and her six year old son who lived with a resident family on the Island before it became a National Park. Very good!
June 19, 2018
This a fast enjoyable read for those who know the North or those who wish they knew it!
It gives a taste of life without the extras AND some necessities. I'm not sure most of us could live there for the nine to ten months of the coldest part of the year. I for one would like to be more prepared than they seemed to be.
It gives a taste of life without the extras AND some necessities. I'm not sure most of us could live there for the nine to ten months of the coldest part of the year. I for one would like to be more prepared than they seemed to be.
December 30, 2010
It's just what the title suggests - a diary. Some entries are a sentence long others a page long.
Lets you in to her achievements and hardships as she spends a winter on IR in the 1930s. Impressive woman.
Lets you in to her achievements and hardships as she spends a winter on IR in the 1930s. Impressive woman.
December 30, 2018
Very interesting to read. If you want a little insight into Minnesota/Michigan history during the depression, this is a great book to read.
April 22, 2023
Official Rating: 3.75
I love Isle Royale. It is such a place of magic, but also my time out on the island was the first time I had truly been isolated from civilization and the first time that I had been away from home. Many of the emotions and feelings that Dorothy had were similar to my experience. It is fun to have a kinship with someone who has long passed.
Some parts of this book are tedious. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to the average reader. But if you love Isle Royale and its human history, this is worth the read.
I love Isle Royale. It is such a place of magic, but also my time out on the island was the first time I had truly been isolated from civilization and the first time that I had been away from home. Many of the emotions and feelings that Dorothy had were similar to my experience. It is fun to have a kinship with someone who has long passed.
Some parts of this book are tedious. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to the average reader. But if you love Isle Royale and its human history, this is worth the read.
October 2, 2022
This is the raw, simple diary of a young woman with a 6-year-old son, during the 8 months they lived on Isle Royale 1932-1933 while she worked as a teacher for the five Johnson children and her own son. While raw and simple, it provides a valuable glimpse into life on an inaccessible island during the winter.
June 26, 2025
A quick easy read about what life was like for a young teacher, living in near isolation on Isle Royale. I found myself laughing out loud several times when many of her complaints and struggles were similar to what I deal with as a modern day teacher. This is a great read for a teacher or someone who is interested in Michigan history
August 31, 2018
Fascinating,funny, and amazing!
October 4, 2019
This was good ,so daring and brave and hard.
July 10, 2022
Read it while on Isle Royale and thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 30, 2025
Interesting to read of life on a remote island in Lake Superior during the 1930s before cellphones and technology. Also, how isolated they were once the ice sealed them in for the winter.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews