What do you think?
Rate this book
Trails to Poosey
On a hot July day, Peter Robison and his wife, and three children -- Nathan, 15; Betsy, 12; and Andy, 4 -- ride horseback into the settlement of Navestown -- later to be known as Springhill -- several miles northwest of Chillicothe. They are welcomed by the Jesse Nave family and others in the settlement. Within a few days the Robisons have settled on land about four miles northwest of Navestown.
Having led his family into the unknown, this hard-driven father works to provide for his family. Like most parents, he does some maturing in the course of trying to do what he thinks is best for himself and for his family.
Written in simple and direct style, Cook keeps the story moving with suspense, excitement and tenderness, introducing new characters at just enough intervals to keep things interesting. The book is well researched and reflects Cook's knowledge of this area of Missouri and her love of nature and animals. She pays strict attention to historical detail without encumbering the story with it and weaves in interesting details about daily life both in the settlement and on the trail.
Read Trails to Poosey and you'll smell sulphur burning in a disease-ridden cabin; feel cold rain and hot sun bearing down on your back and taste fresh blackberries and milk -- a respite from months of dried deer meat and cornbread. You'll breathe a sigh of relief when a limber-legged colt gets a second chance at life; look an angry bear in the eye and take a psychological and philosophical swing through the minds of a father and son whose roles are reversed when one hangs close to death.
Set in the late 1830's near the Livingston-Grundy County lines, Trails to Poosey, is the account of the Peter Robison family's first four exciting months of homesteading in Missouri on land that is now Poosey State Forest.
Having led his family into the unknown, this hard-driven father works to provide for his family. Like most parents, he does some maturing in the course of trying to do what he thinks is best for himself and for his family.
Written in simple and direct style, Cook keeps the story moving with suspense, excitement and tenderness, introducing new characters at just enough intervals to keep things interesting. The book is well researched and reflects Cook's knowledge of this area of Missouri and her love of nature and animals. She pays strict attention to historical detail without encumbering the story with it and weaves in interesting details about daily life both in the settlement and on the trail.
Read Trails to Poosey and you'll smell sulphur burning in a disease-ridden cabin; feel cold rain and hot sun bearing down on your back and taste fresh blackberries and milk -- a respite from months of dried deer meat and cornbread. You'll breathe a sigh of relief when a limber-legged colt gets a second chance at life; look an angry bear in the eye and take a psychological and philosophical swing through the minds of a father and son whose roles are reversed when one hangs close to death.
Set in the late 1830's near the Livingston-Grundy County lines, Trails to Poosey, is the account of the Peter Robison family's first four exciting months of homesteading in Missouri on land that is now Poosey State Forest.
202 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1986
9 people want to read
About the author
Olive Rambo Cook
8 booksAuthoress Olive Rambo Cook used Livingston County, Missouri as the backdrop for her six published juvenile books and for many of her inumerable short stories. Real names, places, legends, folk lore and true stories from this county appear throughout her written work.
Mrs. Cook was born August 26, 1892, on a farm west of Avalon. She was the only surviving child of George and Effie Rambo. Her mother died when Mrs. Cook was a small child and she and her father moved to Chillicothe, MO where she was reared by her father and her paternal grandmother.
She was graduated from Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe Business College and in 1920 married Frank Cook. In 1923 her only child, George, was born. After her husband's death in 1943, she and her son left Chillicothe.
Her books were published between 1957 and 1986, the last book, Trails to Poosey, having been published after her death, December 24, 1981, in Mountain View, California. Her other published books include Coon Holler, Serelda's Star, Locket, The Sign at Six Corners, and Golden Gourd.
In addition to writing, Mrs. Cook was an accomplished painter and had her first art exhibit at the age of 80 in the Mountain View Library. In her youth, one of her favorite painting views was from the hill overlooking the Graham's Mill covered bridge which was located northwest of Chillicothe, MO, just east of the present bridge over the Grand River on Highway 190.
Mrs. Cook was born August 26, 1892, on a farm west of Avalon. She was the only surviving child of George and Effie Rambo. Her mother died when Mrs. Cook was a small child and she and her father moved to Chillicothe, MO where she was reared by her father and her paternal grandmother.
She was graduated from Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe Business College and in 1920 married Frank Cook. In 1923 her only child, George, was born. After her husband's death in 1943, she and her son left Chillicothe.
Her books were published between 1957 and 1986, the last book, Trails to Poosey, having been published after her death, December 24, 1981, in Mountain View, California. Her other published books include Coon Holler, Serelda's Star, Locket, The Sign at Six Corners, and Golden Gourd.
In addition to writing, Mrs. Cook was an accomplished painter and had her first art exhibit at the age of 80 in the Mountain View Library. In her youth, one of her favorite painting views was from the hill overlooking the Graham's Mill covered bridge which was located northwest of Chillicothe, MO, just east of the present bridge over the Grand River on Highway 190.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 7, 2023
This book was set in 1837 in Livingston County,Missouri. My pioneer ancestors started arriving in that county that same year, so I was very interested to read about life at that time. Olive Rambo Cook had carefully researched and written so clearly that I could picture exactly what that life was like. The story involves one family and their hardships and victories and a young son who takes on a man's responsibilities. I enjoyed the book meant for young readers.
April 22, 2025
Sometimes I just enjoy an easier read like this. The story was good and gave a picture of homesteading hardship, grit, and perseverance.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews