That Book Woman

by Heather Henson (Author) David Small (Illustrator)

That Book Woman
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Henson collaborates with Caldecott Medalist Small for a book that honors the courageous work of the Pack House Librarians, who during the Depression carried books to such remote regions of America as the Appalachian Mountains. Full color.
Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

School Library Journal

Gr 25A simple and heartfelt paean to the Pack Horse Librarians of the 1930s who were part of a WPA program founded to take books to remote areas. Cal and his family live high in the Appalachian hills. He's proud to be a hard worker and scorns his sister, who'd read all day if allowed. When a stranger appears on horseback to deliver books, Cal wants nothing to do with her until one winter evening when she braves the snowy mountain to deliver her goods. Her courage and strong will make him realize that her job must be very important, so he asks his sister to teach him to read. Henson's free-verse narrative is peppered with colloquialisms and authentic-sounding language that might be tricky for some readers, but lend immediacy and atmosphere to the story. Done in pale browns and greens, Small's signature ink-and-watercolor illustrations depict an austere mountain home and the hardscrabble lives of family members who have little to spare. Cal's expressions of resentment and anger, and then his acceptance and enjoyment of reading, are shown with simple yet effective lines. Pair this poignant book with Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer's "Down Cut Shin Creek" (HarperCollins, 2001) for an excellent unit on these dedicated women and for a great discussion starter on the importance of books."Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Heather Henson
Heather Henson lives on a farm in Kentucky with her husband and three children, is the managing director of the Pioneer Playhouse, and is the author of several critically acclaimed picture books and novels, including Dream of Night, The Whole Sky, and the Christopher Award-winning That Book Woman.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781416908128
Lexile Measure
920
Guided Reading Level
N
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 07, 2008
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV047000 - Juvenile Fiction | Books & Libraries
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV016150 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - 20th Century
JUV024000 - Juvenile Fiction | Lifestyles | Country Life
Library of Congress categories
Books and reading
Librarians
Appalachian Region
Packhorse librarians
Parents Choice Awards (Fall) (2008-Up)
Recommended 2008 - 2008
Christopher Awards
Winner 2009 - 2009
Bluebonnet Awards
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Georgia Children's Book Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Beehive Awards
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Keystone to Reading Book Award
Nominee 2010 - 2010
Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award
Nominee 2010 - 2011
Golden Sower Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Black-Eyed Susan Award
Nominee 2011 - 2012

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