The Legend of Zoey

by Candie Moonshower

Zoey's family has a strange feeling about the two-tailed comet in the sky. But that doesn’t mean Zoey will let them chaperone her class field trip to Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee—especially since Grandma Cope grew up near there. What if Grandma tells everyone about being a Native American? Zoey has no interest in her family’s past. All she wants is for her parents to get back together, and for herself to fit in at school. She doesn’t know what’s hit her when, during the bus ride to Reelfoot, she’s propelled back in time to 1811, when the lake was formed!

Now Zoey’s cell phone doesn’t work, there’s no fast food in sight, and massive earthquakes keep rattling the land. Prim, proper Prudence Charity and her way-too-pregnant mother are the first people Zoey sees, but they don’t believe her story—until they meet up with Chickasaw Chief Kalopin and his beautiful Choctaw bride. Kalopin is convinced that the Great Spirit has cursed him for stealing Laughing Eyes from Chief Copiah, and that soon, the river will swallow up his village and everyone in it. Zoey knows they’re headed for disaster, but can she find the courage to save them?


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Historical

224 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tabatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be honest and say that I know the author, but this book is wonderful for a young adult reader. Not long after I gave it to my 14-year-old niece as a gift, my sister called to inform me I could no longer send books to her daughter. She caught her up at 1 a.m. on a school night, unable to put down this book until she finished it. Seriously, doesn't she owe me a dozen roses?

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars (rounded down) -- This book was such a surprise for me. Initially, I wasn't sure if I would like it, but by page 50, I was more invested, and by the end, I had teared up more than once. Told in a dual timeline (of a fashion), this is the story of Zoey Saffron Lennon Smith-Jones in present day & of Prudence Charity Keeler of 1811 and of how their lives overlap for two incredible months during the massive earthquakes of late 1811 & early 1812. I really appreciated the historical facts about TN & our country that were woven into the narration, but most of all, I appreciated the characters (including Prudence's mom, Grace) & their growth during the course of the story. It was not an easy time to be living in West TN, and they all learned about themselves over the 3 1/2 months of the story. I loved King George too!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a book for mid-school and particularly relevant for kids in Tennessee. It’s a novel about the formation of Reelfoot Lake from the earthquakes of 1811. A girl from modern times is going on a field trip to the lake with her class, but a storm comes up and she gets separated from the others when taking shelter. She ends up back in 1811 just as the earthquakes begin and she helps a mother and daughter get to safety. The story is pretty well written and interesting along with some history. As an adult I even enjoyed it.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern middle-school student, Zoey, battling with cultural identity and family issues (parents separated, Native American heritage) ends up traveling back in time. She meets her grandparents - far removed and helps a family escape the natural disasters of 1811 and 1812 in Tennessee.

Told as journal entries from Zoey and Prudence in 1811 and modern time.

[Gale Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction for middle grade

Tennessee educators have a fine offering for their middle grade students. The Legend of Zooey provides both time travel fantasy and an historical account of the New Madrid earthquake. Students will enjoy this compelling adventure.

[Aerion Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it a lil bit

[Ashley Pasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! I enjoyed every moment of this book. I actually just re-read it a month ago and it felt almost like reading it for the first time. Moonshower put together an excellent book. I'm always fascinated with time travel history. So, this book was a must for me. The Legend of Zoey will interest kids and teens alike. Not only does the main character Zoey get to travel to the past, but she also has to face obstacles after getting there. She also wishes she'd paid just a bit more attention to the history she'd been learning. Will she ever get home? Candie Moonshower does a great job bridging the gap between the past and present. This is one journey you won't want to miss, and one journey I'm glad I had the chance to go on.

[Jnase1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, this book is a combo of historical fiction and sci fi. The story is both innocent and exciting as it describes the earthquakes of 1811-1212 that created what is now known as Reelfoot lake. But perhaps what I like most about this book is the theme of accepting and embracing your family heritage. I think students of many different backgrounds would enjoy this book because of that theme alone.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoey's grandmother is half Choctaw and Chickasaw, both tribes with history in Tennessee. But Zoey doesn't have much pride in her heritage until she takes a field trip to Reelfoot Lake, TN and finds she has played a major part in her family's destiny. The author use historical events, including the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 as the center point for this story.

Middle grades.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get interested in the book. I really enjoyed reading it after page 53. There are so many Tennessee references that I think my students would like it because of the familiarity.

[Lisa Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey and Pru are great characters and their meet up in this time-travel story makes for excellent contemporary AND historical fiction fun! The author's writing and skill in handling the storyline is apparent!

[Gina Ruiz]

http://ginasblogging.blogspot.com/200...

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey is a strong-willed character who goes back in time to help her ancestors survive the most destructive earthquake in US history.

[Shelby S · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. this book was absoulutly wonderful! i want to read it again but i cannot find it any were! i wonder why it isnt so popular. this book will remain in your head.

[Heather Clemons-Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was so contrived it hurt. History behind it was fascinating though.