Set in the Dust Bowl of the American West, Farm Girl, the true account of a child coming of age on a 1920′s Nebraska farm, recaptures an era. Young Lucille Marker experiences survival during the Depression years, one of the worst dust storms in history, and finally the disintegration of the close-knit community in which she grows up.
Readers who like the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder or Willa Cather will enjoy Farm Girl. It is set in the locale of Willa Cather’s Nebraska novels, and includes a chapter about the Marker/ Cather connections. Richly photographed throughout with over sixty authentic photos documenting the people and places of the story, this historical, easy-to-read small book is suitable for use in the classroom. See Farm Girl book trailer
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REVIEWS:
“Farm Girl is a sweet and wholesome account of a girl coming of age on a 1920s Nebraska farm. It defies all traditional story-telling rules and I loved this. It was like I was sitting with my grandma being told stories about her past. I definitely recommend it if you are in the mood to escape the commercial angst and urgency of a plot- driven tale. This book is precious. A book well-worth reading cuddled up on your sofa with your dog or cat on a cold winter night.” Jessica Bell, String Bridge and Fabric
“Easily as good as Carol Ryrie Brink’s Caddie Woodlawn, Farm Girl is beautifully done and should be a treat for anyone who loves reading historical books. It is a book that reaches out and touches the common human experiences that everyone must go through. It is a treasure that will be enjoyed by the young and old alike.” McCook Daily Gazette
“Through the intertwined stories of the life of the Marker family and of the broader historical time period, the book is more than captivating. Gowen’s vivid account of her mother’s life allows Farm Girl to read as seamlessly as if one were recalling personal memories.” The Holyoke Enterprise
“Omitting sensationalized incidents and graphic sexual exploits, the book perfectly captures a young woman’s coming of age in the early decades of the 20th century. It concerns real life, relatively ordinary activities, drawn with the precision of a Norman Rockwell painting.” The Omaha Reader
“Farm Girl presents a vision of life on a Nebraska homestead during the 1920′s and 1930′s, told from a child’s perspective, and illustrated with photographs of the time.” Quincy Herald Whig
“Have you thought about writing your family history, but found yourself stuck from the start? Writing a family narrative can be a daunting task, but Karen Jones Gowen found a way to bring her mother’s story to life.” Homespun Magazine
“Farm Girl will capture the interest of readers in the photos the book contains and witty recollections Lucille has of her grandparents in Catherton Township.” The Red Cloud Chief
“A gift from the heart in which family is prominently featured.” Aitken Independent Age
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