Publisher's Synopsis
The Earthquake Winter is an exciting, suspenseful and dramatic book. While it is a story that would interest all ages, it is particularly appropriate for late elementary and middle school reader. This is a tale of a fictional pioneer family living through actual historical events, including the catastrophic earthquake of 1811. It covers a time filled with exciting new developments, such as the steamboat, the cotton gin and the ongoing movement to the west. Most of the factual material in the book comes from old newspaper accounts of the time and county records. The book's historical content makes it a valuable addition to every school library. Notable historical figures are referenced in the story, including Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James Madison, and the great Indian Chief Tecumseh. Reading about the courage of the early pioneers in meeting both natural and man-made disasters can instill in the young readers of today the courage to face life's problems with the same determination and sense of hope demonstrated by the early settlers of the American frontier. Underneath all the excitement and adventure, it is about estrangement, reconciliation, and the power of faith, hope and love.
