Turkey Red

by Esther Loewen Vogt

Relates the adventures of a young Mennonite girl and her family newly arrived from Russia as they try to accustom themselves to their new life on the Kansas prairie.

Genres: Historical Fiction

104 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1975

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered this book from one of the independent sellers on Amazon because it looked like it would be an interesting review of early Mennonite life on the prairies of Kansas where my Grandfather Rempel was born and grew up. It turned out to be just that.

Every chapter describes some aspect of life for the child narrator and her Mennonite family. At the opening of the story they had been in Kansas for only a year. As the story progresses, the little girl meets a First Nations man who befriends her and her family, tells about the farming of Red Turkey wheat that the immigrants from South Russia brought with them, and which was considered a very good bread-making wheat (as well as showcasing the Mennonite farmers' good farming methods), and began to tell the story of integration into regular American society in Kansas.

This was a nice little easy-read to learn more about my Kansas Mennonite roots from a cultural perspective. I think perhaps my granddaughters would also be interested in reading this, since this is their history as well.

[Sofia Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was it true they had left the good life in Russia in order to settle in this lonely, wild new land, as Jake had said? Maybe she didn't understand it, but hadn't Papa and the other church leaders prayed about it? And hadn't God led them here?

Targeted age: 13 and under

Issues: different denominations, immigration

Summary: After the Mennonites emigrate from Russia in 1877, Martha finds herself in Kansas. And though now they are free from religious persecution, other problems abound. Snakes, Indians, fires, blizzards all are dangers Martha and her family and friends encounter quite often. Was it worth it to come here at all?

Bible Verse: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:15a (NIV)

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 2 out of 5]

In fourth or fifth grade, the children's librarian at our small town public library suggested I read this book because it took place in Kansas and I liked the Little House books. I liked it, in spite of myself, and in spite of it being pretty obvious Christian fiction. Jesus is everywhere in this plot, and in the most unlikely forced kinds of places. Every chance Vogt gets, she has someone talking about Jesus.
The clunkiness of this bothered me as an adult, and I suppose it annoyed me a young reader too - but not enough to forget the book. Re-reading it almost 40 years later, I still remember how exciting it was for Martha to see President Hayes (I wanted to see a president too) and the prairie fire (just like LIttle House!) and the tornado. And the Native American who appears mysteriously to save them all the time (which made me the modern reader squirm). I still think Laura Ingalls Wilder could take all of the girls AND boys in this book in a fight; Nellie Olsen could too. Little House will always be better, but way back in the day, I could only read and re-read the Little House books so much, especially if they were checked out when I went to the library, so Turkey Red would have to suffice.

[Vincent Waldron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turkey Red is a children's book written about Russian Colony Mennonites who emigrated to Kansas. The name of the book comes from the Turkey Red variety of wheat that they brought with them from Russia.

I had read this book as a child and thought it was OK and when our church had a small group discussion about Russian Mennonites I decided to read it again. I found the book to be short and lacking any sort of character development one might expect, even in a children's book.

The protagonist struggles with relating to the non-Mennonite people around as well as the English language. She wonders frequently at God's purpose in leading His chosen people to such a forsaken place.

Each chapter deals with a particular struggle that might have been faced by Kansas dwellers in the 1880s. These are dealt with in very brief fashion and then the narrative shifts focus to another aspect of life on the plains.

There is a sequel of sorts, Harvest Gold, but I don't believe I read that, but it looks to be about the same sort of thing.

[Arrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's Mennonite childhood book by a "good Mennonite" mother, grandmother, and writer.

Homesteading life on the KS prairies with fires, Indians, and that hard red Turkey Winter Wheat - what could possibly go wrong? But remember, God takes care of those Mennonites - but only after repeatedly trying them with Biblical troubles.

Almost a trip down memory lane for me - not the times, but those Mennonites!

[Joshua Milligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written children's story that can be enjoyed by people of any age. My mother suggested I do so a couple of years ago and I finally did it!