Cover Image: Cimarron Girl

Cimarron Girl

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
I chose to read this book because I like history and have always found it fascinating. I remember learning about the Dust Bowl probably around 6th or 7th grade. (I grew up in New England). I thought this book was both educational and entertaining for children. Perfect for a teacher or librarian to add to their collection. With that being said, some children may not be too enthralled with this book because there isn't any color to the illustrations. It's to show what the Dust Bowl was like, but some kids may find it boring since there aren't any eye-popping colors. Still, I liked this book (but I am 25 not 7)


Connect with Me <3

My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44083250-julia (follow me and/or send a friend request!)

Instagram/bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookreviewsbyjules/ (I follow back all Book accounts)

Substack: https://bookreviewsbyjules.substack.com/ (feel free to subscribe!)

Was this review helpful?

Great book about life in the frontier. These people were definitely alot braver than I would've ever been. Talk about resourcefulness!

Was this review helpful?

had so much fun reading this book, the story was so amazing and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Was this review helpful?

What an absolutely beautiful, yet heartbreaking story. 💙 I grew up hearing stories of the Dust Bowl so I assumed this would be like the ones I knew, but this one was unique and took my breath away.

Was this review helpful?

This story follows Abigail Brubaker and details her experience on her family’s Oklahoma prairie farm during the Dust Bowl. Set in Cimarron, the reader gets a view of the ups and downs of the Brubaker family during this time in history. This novel is an excellent supplement that will align with a lesson on the Great Migration and the Dust Bowl.

Was this review helpful?

Short but insightful historical fiction about a family living through the “Dust Bowl “ years. Gives interesting information about the devastating
dust storms and the huge migration of the “Okies” to places like California.
I would recommend this for middle-grade readers and teachers. It would be an excellent introduction to the Depression and Dust Bowl period of the ‘30’s.

Was this review helpful?

This is an excellent historical fiction picture book for younger readers to teach about the Dust Bowl. Amazing illustrations included which really add to the overall learning experience. It deals with the themes of natural disasters, grief, loss, family and strength in a way which is easy for childen to understand, without glossing over the facts.

Was this review helpful?

Cimarron Girl: The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker is a beautifully written historical fiction that vividly portrays the challenges and struggles of a family living through the devastating Dust Bowl era. The story follows young Abigail and her family as they try to survive the harsh conditions on their Oklahoma farm, where the drought and dust storms have left their land barren and their future uncertain.

Author Mike Blanc has done an excellent job of immersing the reader in the world of the Dust Bowl, bringing to life the daily struggles and hardships faced by families like the Brubakers. The writing is both engaging and informative, providing readers with a detailed account of the history and culture of the era.

At its core, Cimarron Girl is a story about family and the virtues of courage, fortitude, and kindness. Through the eyes of young Abigail, we see the strength and resilience of her family as they face one challenge after another. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their experiences are sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

What sets this book apart from other historical fiction novels is its commitment to supporting a worthy cause. Net profits from the book will be donated to the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis, a non-profit organization dedicated to treating and empowering individuals and families living with multiple sclerosis, regardless of their ability to pay.

Overall, Cimarron Girl is a touching and thought-provoking novel that sheds light on a pivotal moment in American history. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the Dust Bowl era, as well as those who appreciate a good family drama with a strong moral message. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.

Was this review helpful?

Abigail Brubaker is a fictional 12-year-old girl living on a farm in Cimarron, Oklahoma. In this story, she shares her experiences working on the farm alongside her parents, playing with her dog Penny and attending school. But the dust storms of the 1930s affect the family's livelihood, income and home. Eventually, Abigail must move to California as part of the Great Migration.
I appreciated the look at regular life on an Oklahoma prairie farm. And the Dust Bowl did indeed affect millions of people. The author includes some historical facts and a timeline that's helpful to readers. Unfortunately, the story has a saccharine ending that isn't reality.
I enjoyed the illustration and the photos. Also, some of this book's proceeds support the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis.

Was this review helpful?

This is a heartfelt story of a young girl recalling her life during the Dust Bowl. The descriptions in the story allow the reader to visualize the events happening during that time. This would be a good read-aloud for 3rd -5th grade as it would bring up great discussions for the class. Science can also be incorporated with this book as well.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Vanita Books for accepting my request to read and review Cimarron Girl.

Author: Mike Blanc
Published: 06/01/16
Genre: Children's Fiction

A fictitious account of life on a prairie during a drought. The book centers around one small family. The story is told through the eyes of a 10-year-old little girl. There are terms used for the dust clouds. The family attempts to stay on their farm by cutting back on essentials. The author wrote well a scene where a 12-year-old boy died. The story continues on through a move to California, and the problems they encounter.

I didn't fact check, and find myself wondering why fiction? The story cannot be unique. I did like how the illustrations reflected like a sand coloring.

My first choice would be nonfiction. This is a nice story that could be built on.

Was this review helpful?

First and foremost, I would love to thank NetGalley, the author, and publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced copy. This book has so many moral values. Recommended

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much Netgalley for the e-copy in exchange of honest review!

I LOVE this book! It portrays the horror of Dust bowl so vividly and empathetically that I was deeply moved by the narration. The illustrations are eye-catching as well. It's like 'The Four Winds' - kid version. Definitely recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This is a good learning resource for teaching children about the 1930s in the Great Plains. It highlights how poor farming conditions contributed to the Dust Bowl years, the effects of the drought, and the forced migration of many families westward.

A significant educational text told in the format of historical fiction. Rustic drawings compliment the story, and period photos further illustrate the Dust Bowl during these grim years.

Was this review helpful?

Even though it was about real events and a real person, it was also fictional in some ways. It was a easy read full of interesting facts and fun tales about farmers who had to leave Oklahoma and travel to California.

I think middle aged kids would really enjoy this book!

**I reviewed Cimarron Girl by Mike Blanc for free in exchange for my honest review. #NetGalley**

Was this review helpful?

While Cimarron Girl, by Mike Blanc, is geared toward young children, I think it would be a good addition to a middle school class that is studying the Dust Bowl. It is a short book, with illustrations, giving a good overview of the event that impacted so many American lives.

Was this review helpful?

An important and little known story made accessible to children.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Was this review helpful?

An eye opening story of love, family, tragedy and resilience. A true treasure for everyone to read. I enjoyed the writing and pictures as well.

Was this review helpful?

What was it like to live through the Dust Bowl? I can only think of one other children's book about it, and that one was an Easy Reader. I was happy to find Cimarron Girl a few weeks ago, and read it to my children as part of our afternoon read-aloud time.
Abby Brubaker was only seven years old in 1932 when drought struck Oklahoma. Gradually, life got harder and harder. Then, it got even worse—the dust storms struck. The soil was blowing away. And then it got worse yet when a dust blizzard struck and the tractor and fences were covered and a boy died. How could anyone survive in these conditions?
In 1936, the Brubaker family gave up. They sold all they could and packed the rest into the jalopy—and took off for California! Would they be allowed into that state, though? And would things really be better there? At the end of the story, a couple of pages give a timeline of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, to help give a framework to the story. The entire book is illustrated with sepia drawings that bring the story to life.
This was a very good look at the difficult time faced by people in Oklahoma during the 1930s. It really made that time come to life. I'm glad I found it and was able to share it with my children! This is one I would love to have on the shelf in a hard copy.

This will be posted to www.ignitelit.com sometime in November 2021.

Was this review helpful?

What in interesting and enlightening read. I was transported from my home during a cold, Australian autumn and into the life of a small family from Oklahoma during the Dirty Thirties. I found the story engaging and beautiful, but also a little scary and sad at times. The picture style was well suited to the storyline and I feel richer in my knowledge for reading this journey. It really makes you think when you read about poverty and the hardships that people have gone through in the past. Well written and interesting. I couldn’t read it without hearing an accent in my head which was a good thing.

Was this review helpful?