That Book Woman

This book is a 2010 Blubonett Book

Exposition: Told in first person this book takes place at little home on the Kentucky hillside. The voice belongs to young Cal who helps his pa with the sheep and cows. He has a sister, Lark, that loves books, loves to read, and loves to play Teacher with Cal. Cal, on the otherhand, does not like books, does not like to read, and certainly does not like when Lark plays Teacher.

Conflict: One day a woman shows up on horseback bearing a parsel of books. Father is willing to trade the blueberries that Cal picked for a book for Lark. The Book Lady refuses, says they're free, and she'll be back in two weeks to bring more. True to her word she comes back every two weeks even in the dead of winter. Cal begins to wonder if there is something to this reading business.

Rising Action: Cal begins to wonder if there is something to the reading business.

Climax: During the bitter part of a long winter, Cal asks Lark to teach him to read.

Falling Action: After being introduced to reading Cal doesn't even mind the long winter. He is content to stay inside and read. When Spring arrives Mama gives the Book Lady a pie.

Resolution: Cal's gift to the Book Lady is to read to her.

At first I wasn't sure if I liked the illustrations in this book. They seemed old-fashioned and a bit drab. However, after reading the story the second time I came to really appreciate the illustrations. Not only do they lend themselves to the time period of the story but they give insight into the characters. When Cal says that he brings the cow home in the evening while Lark reads it seems harmless enough. However, the picture shows Cal with a scowl on his face while Lark is hunched over in the backgroud with a book. When the Book Lady arrives for the first time we see Cal with a suspicious look on his face. And we see the time period readily reflected in the pictures as well with oil lamps and barefoot Cal and Lark.

Henson, H. (2008). That book woman. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.