True Sisters
by Sandra Dallas
Mt. Martin's Press, 2012
Although not a Mormon (a.k.a. Latter Day Saints), I do appreciate the pioneering spirit of going west, no matter the religious or not-so religious preference, which helped to shape our nation. Land of the Free.
Most LDS emigrants (yes, with an "e") chose to push and pull handcarts over 1300 miles of prairie, sand, mountains and snow to reach their promised land. Families walked ...some right out of the soles of their shoes... to claim their freedom of religion and a new start.
The reader follows the lives, joys, losses and emotions of four women making the journey as strangers, but through daily joys and losses, they become sisters of faith.
Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. She does thorough research and crafts a beautiful story. As always, I enjoy her books.
The Quilt Walk
by Sandra Dallas
Sleeping Bear Press, 2012
I love when my favorite writers divert to a story which can be read to and by children. Sandra Dallas did just that with The Quilt Walk. Inspired by a true event of a quilt of memories, this story involves a young girl on a wagon train from Illinois to Golden, Colorado.
Emmy encounters everything you would imagine while making the trip with her family. New friendships are forged. Lessons learned about life in constant motion told from her perspective. Of course, there are snakes and Indians! Even tragedy accompanies their journey.
This book would be great shared with younger readers (9 years of age and up) like family or in a classroom setting. Downloadable teachers' guides are available at sleepingbearpress.com should it the book be used in a classroom. In fact, the website is an educational resource for teachers and parents.
I completed the story while vacationing in Colorado, which made the trip even more fun!
