Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Is a Logging Camp Any Place for a Girl?


It is the end of the Civil War and twins Samuel and Grace are looking forward to having their father back. They have spent the last few years on their aunt and uncle’s farm, but they are anticipating going home to their own farm down the road. When their father arrives, he shocks them all with the news that the farm is sold and they will be going up to Michigan to a logging camp where he will be the new foreman. Their father is thrilled to get back to his roots and the familiar terrain of the woods. Samuel is excited for a new adventure and to have experiences like the stories his dad has always told him. Grace is not the least bit happy, and she doesn’t mind telling her father how mad she is at him. Still, the family moves to the logging community where Samuel and Grace are put to work helping out in the kitchen. A logging camp isn’t a great place for a girl, and the men scare her a bit at first. It doesn’t help that there is talk that the last foreman was killed by someone. Now Grace is upset with her father and worried for his safety at the same time. Will Grace forgive her dad for taking her away from her aunt and uncle and the only life she has ever known? Is there anyone for her to become friends with out in the middle of the forest? Will everyone be able to make it through the logging season alive? You will be kept on your toes as you turn the pages of this book!


Beneath the Slashings by Michelle Isenhoff is the third book in a trilogy. The books in the series are loosely related. Still, I was worried that because I hadn’t read the others that I would be confused. This was not the case! It is definitely a book that can be read without reading the others in the series. Grace was unhappy through part of the book, and I wished I could have been her friend at the camp. Sometimes when we are being stubborn and not letting the fun in, we need someone to set us straight. I enjoyed watching Grace get out of her funk. One of her favorite pastimes was reading, just like me. I loved seeing the way reading was spotlighted in the book. I would definitely recommend this book to fourth- eighth graders. I liked the historical aspects of the book. Although I have read some books that take place during the Civil War or after it ended- I had never read a book about a logging camp. I even learned what slashings are- and they were not what I expected! This book makes history come to life! I look forward to reading another book by this author soon.

Has anyone else read Beneath the Slashings? Or have you read another book by Michelle Isenhoff?

Happy Reading!
~L

30 comments:

  1. Not an author I'm familiar with. I do like the sound of this though, if not the cover.

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    1. Petty- Michelle Isenhoff has a few books and she has a really nice website. I haven't read anything else by her yet, but this was a great book. ~L

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  2. I haven't heard of her or her books, but I love historical fiction and I really love it when it's set in the U.S. during the Civil War era. Thanks for posting this, but my TBR list simply isn't getting shorter and summer is. Gotta go read!

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    1. Cleemckenzie- My list of books to read just keeps growing and growing. I enjoy HF and this book was great. Very unique! Happy reading! ~L

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  3. This book and author are new to me. Sounds good!

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    1. Kelly- Michelle has a really nice writing style and the writing is very smooth. A book that is easy to enjoy. ~L

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  4. Well this is different and interesting. I love books set in the Civil War era and one that takes place right after in a logging camp is not something I have read before sounds very interesting!

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    1. Heidi- Beneath the Slashings is definitely a different and interesting book. I wasn't sure what the title meant when I picked it up, but after reading it I learned that is has to do with logging camps and fallen branches. A great HF read. ~L

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  5. What a lot of changes for a young girl to have to endure! Sounds like a wonderful read, and kids won't know they're learning at the same time. :)

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    1. Cate- What a terrific response. Grace does have a lot of changes to deal with and it is nice to watch her grow. A book that you can dive into and take a trip back in time. :) ~L

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  6. Sounds interesting. Logging is big out this way.

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    1. M Pax- It is an interersting book! I didn't know anything about logging before reading this book. :) ~L

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  7. Been looking for some good summer reading as we're going to a place where there's no internet next week! May try these! As to my Disney Post, thanks for your comment – yes honesty about family trips is far more interesting than chronicling perfection; boring and depressing to those of us who can get jealous! No vacation is perfect, and I'm the first to admit it:)

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    1. Sandra- Have fun on your trip- and this would be a good book to read. I have to say that your vacation posts are so real and honest that I love them more than the stories I normally hear from people. The laughter and tone are catching and you help the readers see how funny it is when vacations don't go as planned. :) ~Jess

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  8. Great review Lizzy! I love historical fiction, and I'm always looking for new stories. Sounds very interesting!

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    1. Greg- Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. If you like HF- then I think you will like this book. It is a unique book that I read in only two days. :) ~L

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  9. I like a book that can stand on its own.

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  10. I haven't heard of her but this sounds good. Historical fiction is a genre i'm liking more and more lately!

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    1. Janiera- This is a great HF book. I am liking this genre more and more all the time! ~F

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  11. The title rather puts me off, but the story sounds interesting. I haven’t read anything by Michelle Isenhoff, but I think maybe I should.

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    1. Barbara- I was unsure of what to expect from the title. Also, I didn't know that slashings were fallen limbs from trees. The story is great and I look forward to reading more books by Michelle Isenhoff. :) ~L

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  12. Very nice review. I enjoy reading books like this that are different.

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    1. Thanks, Donna! I like reading different books, too. :) ~L

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  13. Thanks, Lizzy, for your wonderful review. I enjoy reading your reaction and the reactions of everyone else on here. If any of you would take a chance on this newbie author, Slashings is only 99 cents this month. :)

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    1. You are welcome, Michelle! Thanks for stopping by to read the review and to see what our readers had to say. 99 cents is a great deal for this book! Thanks for letting us know. :) ~L

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  14. I've read the first two boooks in the trilogy and they were outstanding. Michelle is a gifted writer and brings history alive. Am patiently waiting for my copy to arrive.

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    1. Patricia- Thanks for letting me know that the first two books are excellent. I look forward to reading them. It is so nice to have history come to life. :) Hope your copy comes soon.
      ~L

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  15. I'm actually reading this one this week for a review on Friday. I'm part of the blog tour. Glad to know you enjoyed it. I have one of her other books that I'm hoping to get a chance to read. It's very well written.

    Heather

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    1. Heather- Happy reading! I look forward to stopping by and reading your review on Friday. Happy reading. :) ~L

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