Sweet Home Alaska and an Announcement!

The temperatures are dropping (if you’re lucky) and talk of fall is all around us. Since we have officially entered the season now, and no one can claim it’s still summer, I thought this would be the perfect chance to write a fall themed blog post. I’ve chosen a wonderfully written middle grade novel to discuss today, complete with pumpkins, friendship, and the great outdoors! If you’re looking for a fun seasonal book to read this fall, I highly recommend this book.

Sweet Home Alaska, by Carole Estby Dagg is a book that honestly anyone will find entertaining. It’s set in Alaska during the Great Depression, where the main character Terpsichore uses her unusually strong spirit to beat the challenges the frosty frontier throws her way. The book is full of her bright ideas and plans, including one especially wonderful attempt to grow her own prize-winning pumpkin.

My family started listening to it together a few months ago, and from the very beginning we were bursting with laughter. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard my little brother laugh so loudly at a book. Not to mention, he marked practically every page so he could remember his favorite parts. The narrative is wonderful, and the characters are priceless. One boy in particular had us giggling every time he opens his mouth (Believe me. If you’ve read the book you know who I’m talking about).

I’m so excited to talk about this book today! It has been on my mind to write about for awhile now (it’s even included in my post 9 Great Audio Books for Family Road Trips). I hope you enjoy!

Sweet Home Alaska, by Carole Estby Dagg

Because of the Great Depression, which is rough on the people from her home state of Wisconsin, Terpsichore Johnson is moving to Alaska with her Pop, Mother, little twin sisters and baby brother. At first, this sounds like terrible news. Terpsichore doesn’t want to leave Wisconsin, and although she isn’t the only one who feels that way, somehow or the other it happens. The Johnsons are going to be pioneers in the wilderness of Alaska, just like Laura in Little House books was on the prairie.

Right from the start the change is an adventure, and not altogether in a good way. Life in Alaska is nothing like they’re used to. But despite poor shelter, pesky bugs, and a terrible first day of school, Terpichore finds herself falling in love with Alaska. Yes, little by little she begins to enjoy life as a pioneer. Now the only question is, does she enjoy it enough to stay? And if so, can she convince her mother to do the same?

The warm homestead feel of this book matches perfectly with the Little House books, while the big plans of Terpsichore and her friends reminds me continually of the Penderwick sisters. This book is an engaging story with an entertaining plot and a fabulously determined girl.

Little House on the Prairie

Something unique about Sweet Home Alaska is the references it has to one of my favorite series, The Little House books, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. At the time the book is set, only two of the books have come out, and they are Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy (for those wondering, Little House on the Prairie technically came out after Farmer Boy, which is why it had not yet been published in the time of the story). Terpsichore is an enormous fan of the books, and compares her own family’s troubles and experiences to that of the Ingalls family.

One of the big ways this comes up is in her decision to grow a pumpkin for the town fair. She is a natural gardener, and works carefully to grow two pumpkins, just like Almanzo does in Farmer Boy. In honor of the books, she names the first pumpkin Laura, and the second Almanzo.

This part of the book makes me smile every time I remember it. I love that Terpsichore naturally brings her love of books into her every day life. As a rather passionate lover of books myself, I find it very lovely to find this in a book. It’s such a wonderful little reminder that your love for a book doesn’t have to end when you turn the last page. Let it carry on with you, like a cherished memory. Tell someone they share the name if a favorite book character of yours, stop and admire a flower you know a character loved, or name a vegetable after them, for goodness sakes! The love of reading can be brought to life all around you, and if it makes you seem like a nerdy book worm, then hey, at least you read good stories!

Another thing I appreciate about Sweet Home Alaska is that in the back of the book there a a couple recipes from the story for you to try out in your own kitchen! I love when books have this, because it gives you another way to interact and remember the story. So take advantage of this opportunity and go bake some Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies!😊

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have something exciting to share with you before I go! Next month (the wonderful month of October🍂) is going to be very special. All of my posts will be focused on a certain favorite book series of mine. Can you guess what books I’m talking about based off this quote?

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

Sound familiar? If you guessed Anne of Green Gables you are right! Anne shares my love for this wonderful fall month, and because of that I was inspired to dedicate the whole month to her.

I have a ton of fun, thoughtful, and bookish Anne themed posts coming your way over the next couple of weeks, so make sure to check back here soon!

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed my scattered rambling today. There were quite the handful of things discussed, but hopefully you were able to find something exciting or interesting.

Did you enjoy today’s post? Have you ever read Sweet Home Alaska? Are you excited about the October announcement?