Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Mid-late Elementary, Middle School, High School *(see below)

This is one of my new favorites! If you like historical fiction (and even if you don’t!), I highly recommend giving Carole Etsby Dagg’s charming story a chance. This little gem was inspiring and entertaining & gave me appreciation for some of the bold risks families had to take to try to carve out a life for themselves.

A Wisconsin family is selected to be shipped to Alaska during the Great Depression.

Things I love:

  • Positive female character. The main character, Terpsichore (pronounced terp-SICK-oh-ree) has initiative and perseverance. 
  • Commitment. Terpsichore leans into her interests of books, cooking, and gardening to really make things happen. She lovingly fights for her dreams and demonstrates commitment & hope.
  • Individual value. After living in the shadow of her charming and talented younger twin sisters, Terpsichore learns & grows to be loved for who she is.
  • Faith. The book includes some lyrics and thoughts about Jesus and heaven.

Things parents should know:

  • Marital struggles. The parents struggle because the mother never wanted to go to Alaska; at every failure she’s making sharp remarks directed to her husband. Her mother comes from a family with money, and she has some snobbery, elitism and beliefs about what is proper that make her quite discontent. Eventually she comes around, somewhat.
  • Small reference to Greek Mythology. Terpsichore and her sisters we named after the muses from Greek folklore. Terpsichore is the muse of dance. There is not much more to it than that, but it is worth mentioning that there is that small reference to that polytheistic culture.

If you like this one I also recommend checking out Strawberry Girl, a historical fiction with a homesteader flavor.

*The reading level assignment is tricky. Terpsichore is in 5-6th grade so normally I’d recommend for mid-late elementary, however I think the historical contributions make this perhaps a better fit & more interesting for older audiences as well. Here is an excerpt to get a sense of the reading level.