That Book Woman

Written by Heather Henson · Illustrated by David Small

A mountain boy resists reading until a determined librarian changes his world.

4.8/7 Bookroo expert·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,583 ratings

40 pages· 923 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud· AD920L

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Bookroo's summary

In the 1930s Appalachian Mountains, Cal prefers farm work over reading. Yet, the relentless visits of the 'Book Woman,' a librarian on horseback, intrigue him. As she braves harsh weather to deliver books to his sister, Cal wonders what makes these stories worth such effort. Will her dedication ignite a spark in him to discover the magic within the pages? This tale celebrates the courage of the Pack Horse Librarians and the transformative power of books.

From the publisher

Offers the story of the Pack Horse Librarian who traveled to remote regions throughout the United States during the Depression to deliver books and a stubborn boy who refused to give reading a try. 50,000 first printing.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 923
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD920L

Themes & topics

Books about the library Books about 20th century Books about self-esteem Books about books and reading Books about books and libraries

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.8

out of 7

4.8

“While to my understanding this is not based on one specific true story, it does honor the pack horse librarians as a special part of American history. David Small's illustrations are lovely and I love the emphasis on facial expressions, particularly the little boy's as his opinion of books changes from one of disgust and annoyance to true enjoyment as he witnesses the librarian's commitment to bringing new books to his family come what may. The story is definitely on the longer side and may be geared towards a bit of an older audience, but it is beautifully written and provides an accessible glimpse into one small piece of isolated Appalachian life.”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

The author