Across The Prairie

Shortlisted, 2021 Manitoba Book Awards, Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book Nominated, Manitoba Young Readers Choice Awards 2023, Sundogs Award Set between Kansas and Saskatchewan in 1907, this middle-grade novel follows a young boy who gets separated from his family en route to Canada and must find his way alone across the immense prairie landscape. Following the sudden death of his eldest brother, twelve-year-old Peter is chosen by his father to travel by train from Kansas to Saskatchewan to help set up the new family homestead. But when Peter's boxcar becomes uncoupled from the rest of the train somewhere in South Dakota, he finds himself lost and alone on the vast prairie. For a sheltered boy who has only read about adventures in books, Peter is both thrilled and terrified by the journey ahead. Along the way, he faces real dangers, from poisonous snakes to barn fires; meets people from all walks of life, including famous author Mark Twain; and grows more resourceful, courageous, and self-reliant as he makes his way across the Midwest to the Canadian border, eventually reaching his new home in Drake, Saskatchewan. The journey expands Peter's view of the world and shows him that the bonds of family and community, regardless of background, are universal and filled with love. Packed with excitement and adventure, this coming-of-age novel features a strong and likeable young protagonist and paints a realistic portrait of prairie life in the early twentieth century.

With the help of her new friend and a new doll named Ruby Lillian, Addie Grant must adjust to a new way of life on a slow-moving journey across the prairie to Dakota on a wagon train

DIVWill heiress Lucinda Bishop learn the meaning of true love and forgiveness on the Oklahoma plains?/divDIV /divDIVIn 1896, after her parents’ deaths, seventeen-year-old heiress Lucinda Bishop is sent to Oklahoma to live with her aunt and uncle. But Oklahoma ranch life brings her more than she bargained for when she meets ranch hand Jake Starnes, a drifter who is running from his past. As her friendship with Jake grows, Lucinda faces emotions she’s never before experienced./divDIV /divAs Jake learns more about God’s love for him, he realizes he must face his past and the consequences of his actions, even if it means he will lose the one girl he loves. Will he be able to get his life together before someone else claims her hand…or even her life?

Becky Haynes returns to Barton Creek after college with a new independent spirit that baffles her longtime friend Rob Frankston. Her new attitude toward her faith, family, and friends confuses her family. Will Rob convince Becky to return to the faith of her childhood before the town of Barton Creek is destroyed?

When Luke Anderson falls in love with Dove Morris, he is aware of her Native American heritage. What he is not prepared for is the prejudice suddenly exhibited by his parents against Dove.

Dora Hand was in a deep sleep. Her bare legs were exposed despite her thick blankets, and a mass of long, auburn hair stretched over her pillow and flowed off the side of her flimsy mattress. A framed, charcoal portrait of an elderly couple hung above her bed on the faded wallpaper and kept company with her slumber.

It is the summer of 1868 and nothing is more important to Iris Stratton than her love of the prairie, nothing except Andrew Burgess. The previous summer, Andrew traveled from Boston to the spanning plains of Nebraska, packing dreams of becoming a rancher. His stay was brief however, leaving Iris to wonder if she would ever see him again. Then news came from back east. John and Andrew are pushing a massive herd of horses toward the swelling grasslands. Unbridled excitement fills the windy summer days. Iris secretly remains devoted to Andrew, despite the marriage arrangement her father unwittingly sealed at the time of her birth. One day, while preparing for her ‘coming of age’ party, Iris discovers a letter in the attic; a letter written by her long deceased mother. Perplexing questions begin to unfold. When her prim aunt is unwilling to provide the answers, Iris turns to her convalescing father whose only utterance is, “. . . Ivy on the wall. The winds that have blown across the prairie have carried away more than the scent of wildflowers. They have whisked away a startling secret that Iris is determined to reveal.

Excerpt The diocese of Qu'Appelle, in the province of Saskatchewan, Western Canada, is so named from the Indian story which tells of the maiden who lay dying, calling piteously for her lover. He, far off in his canoe on the Saskatchewan River, suddenly heard a voice, and answered: "Qu'Appelle." The voice came again, and then he knew it for that of his beloved, and made all speed to her side. But, alas! when he reached her she was dead. Qu'Appelle is a suggestive title and indicative of the call which so many have heard from the prairie provinces, a twofold call, urging some to earthly and some to spiritual husbandry. Some account of the Western Canada of to-day may be useful here.