First Farm in the Valley, Anna's Story.

First Farm in the Valley, Anna's Story. First Farm in the Valley, Anna's Story Anne Pellowski Bethlehem Books 10194 Garfield Street South, Bathgate, ND 58216 www.bethlehembooks.com 1-800-757-6831 9781932350241, $12.95, www.amazon.com "First Farm in the Valley, Anna's Story" is a LatschValley Farm book, set in western Wisconsin in the 1870's, whenPolish settlers combined with folk from Norway, Germany, and othercountries emigrated to begin profitable farming in Wisconsin. At sixyears of age, Anna is proud that her family was the very first to beginsettling in the Latsch Valley, beginning their life there in a small sodhouse which still stands, used occasionally to shelter pigs. Anna'sfamily has grown and prospered, moving into a fine lumber house thatthey have build on to as the family grew. Other settlers have come tothe valley, and Anna's awareness of her Polish heritage isbeginning to merge with the knowledge that she is a citizen of theUnited States. "First Farm in the Valley" traces many of thebeginning adventures faced by Wisconsin's immigrant settlers andwill definitely appeal to readers age 8-12. It also would be greatmaterial for reading aloud to 5-year-olds and up. Cultural history mixeswith agricultural practices and readers will identify with theperceptions of a curious 6-year old girl in a time of great change andgrowth.