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