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| website of Katie Willmarth Green | writer/historian/genealogist |
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Some (Flattering) ReviewsReviews for Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat
"It's a clever writer today who can engage both pre-teen and adult readers. Katie Green effectively weaves the story of Deborah Whitney's ongoing adventures with a detested schoolmate, poor Selena, into the realistic background of early California mining communities. Prejudice and violence involving Chinese, Negroes, Mexicans, Italians, and virtually anyone who didn't fit into the rough and ready citizenry and who wasn't strong enough to defend him or herself was rampant in this time of few women (as a civilizing force) and a laid back law and legal system. Debbie Whitney, fleshed out delightfully by the author, enjoys the full attention of her parents since her brother Sam is grown up and moved away. She is drawn naturally to her adventurous father who, though settled down in the lumber business, still enjoys gold mining and a drink or two with his friends at the local tavern. However, it is Debbie's frail but determined mother who effects a change in the family's life that opens the girl's eyes to the truth about people and the world they live in. It's a book for the whole family to enjoy." "Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat is an exciting story of the California Gold Country, set in a place that the author knows well from her childhood. The historical background is carefully researched, imparting a vivid feeling of what life was like when California was sparsely populated and people held to ethnic and religious identities they brought with them from the East or abroad. Those identities were much more important to them than to most people in today's heterogeneous society. Nonetheless, the characters in the book treat one another with kindness and respect -- and an interest in one another's cooking recipes." "This is a really good book, informative and well-balenced[sic]. Thank you for letting me read it." "Katie Willmarth Green was raised at Shady Flat, just like her protagonist, which gives an intimate and appealing quality to her storytelling. While she spins her yarn, you feel like she's reading aloud to you in front of a cozy fire in a cabin in the Sierras, where the story is set. The author's passion for this place rings through every word like the sound of bells on cattle in the high country. "As we follow the exploits of the spunky Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat, we are transported into the inner and outer landscape of her life. We witness her adventures and explorations into relationships with classmates, family, the wider circle of townspeople, as well as the land she loves and the creatures that inhabit it. It is striking how the joys and sorrows and growing pains of this girl from another century are so similar to those of boys and girls of today. "From beginning to end the reader will find the book, set in the Gold Rush era, a gold mine of treasures: an engaging story spiced up by likable characters, detailed maps, photographs, songs, drawings, catalogue advertisements and recipes which create a genuine flavor of the historical period. Children and adults alike will find Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat interesting, informative and a joy to read. "Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat is a very enjoyable book to read, the setting and characters are well developed and always interesting -- you feel that you are there with all the people. The characters are so likable, with the common faults we all have, so that you want to find out what happens next. Debbie's exposure to some of the hazards of that time -- wandering tramps, mining holes, prejudices -- all serve to help her learn about life and herself. I enjoyed the leisurely pace in the beginning, making it mimic the wagon journeys between Downieville and Shady Flat. I liked how the illustrations are placed within the text to augment the story, and the removable map is extremely useful in following the action. With the author's skill at writing dialogue and local color, there is much to look forward to in continuing the saga of Debbie and her family in a sequel. "This is a family story combining history, race issues, character, integrity, and values in a beautiful, dynamic web of life. Encounters with bullies, challenging adventures, consequences of behavior -- all are part of Deborah's growth and examination of what she truly believes and values. Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat is a tale that keeps the reader looking deeper into what makes relationships loving and honest, with family, self, others, especially those different than we are, and the relationship we all have with the earth. All ages can relate to the meanings intertwined in this delightful story of the 1800's which have relevance in the 21st century." "In Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat, author Katie Willmarth Green takes us to a place she both understands intimately and loves intensely. Northern California in 1874, as viewed through the eyes of 10 year old Deborah Whitney, is a land of fascinating flora and fauna, wild mountain streams, loving parents and colorful local characters -- also endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. A spirited tomboy, Deborah prefers outdoor wanderings to cooking and needlework, and her determined quest for independence often clashes with family and societal expectations for young females of the time. Following Deborah through her tenth summer at Shady Flat, one grows to love her adventuresome ways and to understand and appreciate the natural beauty and fascinating history of Gold Rush country. With the inclusion of well-researched historic details and authentic illustrations, the author transports the reader to a time and place unique in all the world. Go, join Deborah as she explores California's beautiful Sierra mountains -- it's a journey you will not soon forget!" Reviews for Like a Leaf Upon the Current Cast "This book brings to life the peoples and places of the Yuba River
country. Depicting communities, places, sites and structures and following
the region's waters, trails and roads, it introduces us to the place's
ethnic groups, families, and individuals. We learn in telling democratic
detail about their migrations, aspirations, dreams, adventures, mishaps,
foibles, follies, and basic humanity. Generous photographs, maps, sidebars,
and just plain good witty writing make this fine local history. Indeed,
by breadth of insight, passion for subject, revealing anecdote, and
use of gentle humor and kind disposition, author Katie Willmarth Green
proves that when it comes to understanding a people and a place, local
history need not concede an inch of ground to the explanations and generalizations
of professional history." "This is a rewarding book, filled with otherwise obscure information,based
on the breadth and depth of [the author's] knowledge and research! Indeed
[she] has produced a record of that region which is invaluable." "The author has panned more nuggets (albeit of local history and lore)
from the Yuba River country of the Sierra Nevada than all of the prospectors
and miners, both Anglo and Chinese, of the Gold Rush days." "Katie serves up well researched history with a side dish of regional
pride and a dollup of love. Thank you, Katie, for an important contribution
to Sierra County and a good model for regional history." "This book is ...a treat not to be missed. Katie W. Green has written
much more than just about cultural resource management and protection...It
is a socio-political, ethnic, religious, environmental, gender, genealogical,
transportation and recreational history all wrapped up into one...She
also included meaningful observations about timely women's issues such
as prostitution, dress codes, suffrage and loneliness." "...a personal and insightful blend of historical facts and anecdotal
stories of the Gold Rush, an ethnic and political history of early California."
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| copyright © 2004-2009 Katie Green |
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"Some girls always want to get their way, and will go out of their way to make that happen. Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat: A Dauntless Girl of the Golden West is the story of a starry-eyed daughter of gold rush pioneers. Looking at the American West's high society during the end of the nineteenth century through the eyes of a rebellious tomboy (who has her own set of severe weaknesses), Deborah Whitney of Shady Flat is an intriguing story of historical adventure for [young] teens, and is highly recommended."
