Exploring the Chicago World's Fair, 1893

American Sisters #7

by Laurie Lawlor

The World's Fair in 1893 Chicago and its wonders dazzle and frighten Dora Pomeroy as her family works and she takes care of her sisters, but circumstances affecting her family change her perspective of life at the turn of the century.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2001

About the author

Laurie Lawlor grew up in a family enamored with the theater. Along with her five brothers and sisters she spent summers in a summer stock repertory company in a small mountain town in Colorado that was run by their mother (costumer, cook, accountant, and resident psychiatrist) and their father (artistic director).

Reviews

[Molly]

I didn't actually read this but Ben did and liked it. I've been all jazzed about the Chicago World's Fair and wanted him to catch on too, so I got this and a couple others for him. He read it really fast and it did the trick - he wanted to learn more and dived right in to a nonfiction book about the fair with lots of pictures. Maybe I'll have to check out the rest of the series.

[Rosemary]

Delightful historical novel of 4 young sisters, who, with their parents, come to Chicago to seek their fortune working at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Dora, Lillian Phoebe and Tess are 4 sisters, mostly left on their own to find a way to feed themselves through opportunities at this amazing fair in a big city. The author describes life for the people who arrived with nothing but hope, hard work and a dream or two.

[Emma]

DNF but it's not the book's fault, I'm just not a fan of historical fiction. I would rather do the research myself.

[Rebecca]

Dora Pomeroy has always longed for a more traditional family. Her parents, who are in the theater business, have moved the family - Dora and her three younger sisters - more times than Dora can remember. Out of the twelve years of her life, Dora has only attended school for four years. Her happiest memories are of the past year spent on a ranch on the Nebraska prairie - ironically, her parents' worst memories. Now that the ranch has failed, the family is moving to Chicago - just in time for the World's Fair of 1893. For the Pomeroys, Chicago is a city of dreams. Dora and her sisters are eager to explore the fair. But when the girls and their mother lose contact with their father, reality hits hard. Mrs. Pomeroy and the three older girls have to work to pay for their room and their meals. Dora longs for the day when her family will finally be together again - but will that day ever come?

An enjoyable read from the American Sisters series, which was one of the many historical fiction series aimed at middle grade girls published due to the popularity of the Dear America books.

[Will Colbert]

Not too much to say about the book;just have read the first 3 Chapters.Seems typical for the time period,and the people involved.It's almost a new World and experience for them.
A typical Story and situation,where the oldest child takes care
of the younger one,only slightly assisted by the parents,who are more involved with their own careers and business.
Will have more to say,when I have finished the book.

[Longbeverly]

I loved this book. historical fiction is just great. i didn't know anything about the chicago world's fair and now i want to research the whole topic. Four sisters work at the fair in various children's jobs while their dad works at the Wild West Show and their mom works various jobs. The mom fancies herself an actress and the dad has a gambling problem so they move alot and are a non-traditional family. Read this to the girls. The beginning was slow but they really enjoyed it.

[Emily Kelson]

is very very very good