A Book for Black-Eyed Susan

By Judy Young, Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)

Part of the Tales of Young Americans series

A young girl faces heartbreak and separation on a perilous journey west.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 112 ratings

32 pages· 1,164 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

$16.95Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Cora's family embarks on a hopeful journey west, but tragedy shatters their dreams. As Cora and her father grapple with loss, she finds solace in her baby sister, Susan. Yet, the looming separation from Susan at journey's end forces Cora to seek strength in the past to forge a new future. Can she find a way to keep her family connected despite the distance? This tale of resilience and hope explores the bonds that endure even in the face of adversity.

From the publisher

When ten-year-old Cora and her family leave their home in Missouri, their hearts are filled with the hopes and dreams of a bright future gleaming with promise and opportunity. But the journey west by wagon train is harsh, and tragedy strikes swiftly and unexpectedly. Now Cora and her father must steel themselves for a different future from what they had carefully planned. How can they move forward when their hearts are broken? But move on they must, and Cora takes comfort in her new baby sister (named Susan after the black-eyed flowers). When Cora learns she and Susan are to be separated at the end of their journey, she looks to the past to help craft a link to their new lives. Judy Young is an award-winning author of children’s fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Her other books in the Tales of Young Americans series are Minnow and Rose (2010 Storytelling World Resource Award) and The Lucky Star (2009 Storytelling World Honor Award). Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. Doris Ettlinger graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and has numerous picture books to her credit, including the award-winning The Orange Shoes. Doris lives and teaches in an old grist mill on the banks of the Musconetcong River in western New Jersey.

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