Historical Fiction Prairie School by Avi

Prairie school is written for children who are mastering reading on their own. It is short chapter book and the main character’s experience and conflict revolves around not seeing the value of reading in his life on the prairie. His aunt comes via train from out east to teach him.

The story seems to accurately portray the time period. It takes place in 1880 and involves a family who moved from Maine to the “new state of Colorado”. The author provides details about the land; mentioning snakes and flowers of the prairie. Noah’s parents do not know how to read and write and Noah’s life is primarily chores and time to explore. The story is told in third person. There is minimal dialect that does not distract from the story because it is not far from how children talk today. Although the author uses “ma” to refer to the mother and tells us that the aunt is “coming to give you schooling”.

The theme focuses on freedom that comes with knowledge and reading. I think this is a worthwhile theme because the book is for children learning to read. They might be frustrated like Noah and feel hopeful to know he struggles but succeeds.