Community Corner
Local Author Publishes Middle Grade Novel
Local author publishes middle grade novel, Big River's Daughter, by Holiday House. Raised by her pirate father on a Mississippi keeler, River is a half-feral river rat and proud of it. When her powerful father disappears in the great earthquake of 1811, she is on the run from buccaneers, including Jean Laffite, who hope to claim her father's territory and his buried treasure. But the ruthless rivals do not count on getting a run for their money from a plucky slip of a girl determined to find her place in the new order. Filled with down-home humor, raucous hijinks, and one-of-a-kind characters, this historical novel captures the Mississippi River at a time when its denizens were as untamed as its waters.
Read more about Bobbi’s books at: http://www.bobbimillerbooks.com/
From School Library Journal:
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Gr 5-9-Life on the great Mississippi in 1811 is stomping hard and full of rough-and-tumble, but, for the river rats eking out a living, it's also full of possibility. Aptly named River Fillian is just as scrappy as they come. Raised by her father, a keelboat captain and the river pirate king, she has spent her whole life on the Mississipp. After she overhears his plans to recover Blackbeard's treasure, an earthquake hits, and her beloved Da is killed, leaving her with a spyglass that he handcrafted. Joining forces with tall-tale legends Annie Christmas and Mike Fink, River must outsmart the notorious pirate brothers Jean and Pierre Lafitte and their plan to overtake business on the river while maybe finding a little treasure along the way. This highly enjoyable, fast-paced adventure captures the flavor of river life and the diversity of New Orleans. The ending's abruptness is a bit disappointing, but is somewhat atoned for in the epilogue. The author's note is incredible in its thoroughness, including information on characters and events mostly based on reality. Miller weaves numerous individuals and historical events into a cohesive tale that captures the American spirit through the eyes of a likable and spunky heroine. She is also spot-on with colloquialisms, providing the book with its unique voice. Truly, this tale would not have been so interesting without River's distinctive dialect and penchant for storytelling.-Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2013.
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Kathi Appelt, National Book Award Finalist and a Newbery Honor Book for The Underneath, says of BRD: “Who-op! In River’s story, Bobbi Miller has spun a yarn like no other… a story full of possible imaginations, a real rough and tumble, a tale as big as the Mississippi and as heartful as the currents running beneath her deep, muddy waters. I loved it!”