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What Do You Think?

What's a hatchel?

Who is the most famous person from Wapakoneta, Ohio?

What famous lady sharpshooter was born southwest of Wapakoneta in Darke County?

What is an apothecary?

What was an orphan train?

"When you read Sarah's Wish you will find that I want to become a schoolteacher. So, let me help you learn some things about the times and places that are a part of my life. Teaching is fun and learning is, too." --Sarah

Answers to the questions

Hatchel - It's a tool for combing wool or separating flax fibers. Granny tended sheep for years and knows how to use it.

Neil Armstrong - In 1969 he will be the first man to walk on the moon. Of course, that is over 100 hundred years in the future for me, but in the past for you.

Annie Oakley - She was born in 1860. Phoebe Ann Moses was her real name, but she became known as Annie Oakley when she began shooting her gun in competition. Her father died when she was very young, and when she could hold his gun she began shooting in the woods, bringing game back to her house for supper.

Apothecary - A 19^th Century drugstore where medicines are compounded and dispensed. It refers to the druggist, also. Apothecaries sell other items in addition to the medicines, much like your 21st century drugstores. My mama, Rachel, bought her perfume at the apothecary.

Orphan Train - The first orphan train left New York City, September 1854. The children taken west from 1854 to 1930 ranged from true orphans to many that were turned out into the streets of New York because their parents could no longer afford them. You will read in the book that I am fearful of being put on an orphan train.

The Sarah books have glossaries in the front of each. Here are some sample entries:

High-falutin’- a person stuck on himself or herself, stuck up.

Light a shuck - leave in a great hurry.

Little end of the horn - getting or having less than expected.

Moses - Refers to Harriett Tubman. A slave, she escaped from Maryland to Canada in 1849 but returned to Maryland several times to lead others to freedom. For our story, her title is used symbolically of all the heroes, black and white, that entered the South and led slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Mudsills - uneducated, lower class, common people.

Blue Norther—A weather front with bitterly cold winds racing out of the north accompanied by thick, bluish-gray clouds.

Buckra—A white man; on a slave plantation,the master.

Calaboose—A jailhouse.

Coffin, Levi—Known as the unofficial president of the Underground Railroad. He lived in Newport, Wayne County, Indiana. He moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1847 where he continued to help runaway slaves.

Corn-Crackers—People from the State of Kentucky.

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SHEM

In April, 2008 I attended the Southwest Home Education Ministry (SHEM) convention held in Springfield, Missouri. I met many wonderful folks, all interested in giving their children a good education. This was my second opportunity to offer my books as a vendor. Everyone treated me great. I had a terrific time telling folks about Sarah's Wish and Sarah's Promise. Many signed up for Sarah’s Web Newsletter and entered the drawing for a free copy of Sarah's Wish audio book. Thank you for your interest.

Here are two friends of mine from the SHEM convention. Emily Klika is the young lady dressed in blue, green, black, yellow and white. Her big sister, Ashley, is just as colorful with light pink, dark pink, black and white. Both girls were Junior Pages, and brightened the three days with their wonderful personalities. They asked their mother to buy my books, so right away you know they're smart.

Two more of my friends are Rebekah Meinsen on the left and Tarah Whittaker. Both girls were pages at the SHEM convention and both have my books. Notice how happy folks are when they own Sarah's Wish and Sarah's Promise.

Note: Please Check out Rebekah's Creation Chronicle Web page. She is the designer and one of the columists. It is quite amazing what she and her friends have accomplished. Click here: The Chuckwalla Lizard From this page you can click over to the animal page and then on to Home. Get ready for some interesting reading!

Comments

"I just finished Sarah's Promise this morning, and I was wondering when Sarah's Escape comes out. I loved Sarah's Wish and Sarah's Promise." -- Mati (homeschool girl)

"We just finished reading Sarah's Promise. We loved it. You did a great job with it and we look forward to the next book.” -- Pamela (homeschool mom)

"It's easy to imagine yourself in the world of Sarah, an American girl living in Ohio in the mid nineteenth century. The wide variety of characters is very interesting! I recommend this book not only for a good historical fiction, but also as a supplement to those studying the Underground Railroad." -- Wendy (homeschool mom)

Some Of My Friends

From left to right: I am surrounded by Erin Keeley, Megan Brouk, SaraSchultz, and Bethany Sanderson. These four home schooled scholars are from the Sunflower State Scholars National Honor Society in Manhattan, Kansas. They presented me with a thank-you poster following my presentation on the Fundamentals of Story Writing.

Take my advice. Always surround yourself with smart people, it makes you look smarter.

Listen to Sarah's Wish at Audible.com, and then order a download or go to Sarah's Web Home page and order the Audio book from the author. Thank you for your interest in learning more about 19th Century history. --Jim B.