The Ribbon Book Club

Historical Note Continued: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Dear Diary, 
We have a special extra treat for you! We are here with a further historical note about the Irish Famine with author, Susan Campbell Bartoletti!
Bartoletti is an author and speaker who does not shy away from tough topics in history. We had her on the show to talk about writing history and historical fiction for young readers. We also had a lot of questions for Susan about her book, Black Potatoes: The Great Irish Famine 1845-1850, which Cate read in preparation for our discussion on So Far From Home. 
Tune in to hear our conversation and the forging of a new friendship! 
 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
P.S. We might hear more from Susan Campbell Bartoletti in the future!
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

Historical Note: Ranger Aubrey Brown

Dear Diary, 
 
This week we got to talk to Ranger Aubrey Brown who works at the Lowell National Historic Park! Aside from becoming instant best friends, we also learned a lot about the real history of Lowell, Massachusetts, and the textile mills that made it famous. 
Tune in to hear about how the city of Lowell was planned, how textile mills worked hard to recruit young women, and how those young women worked hard while pursuing their other passions. 
 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen 
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl Part 2: Is She, You Know

Dear Diary, 
On to the second half of our discussion of So Far From Home: The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl! This time, we finally make it to Lowell and the mills! 
Mary catches on quickly to her work in the mills. Thanks, in part, to her new friend, Annie. And aren't they just great gal pals? But life in the mills is hard work. Accidents happen, the hours are long, and the cotton fibers get everywhere. Will Mary join in with the Yankee girls to fight for better working conditions? Or does her responsibility to save money for her family get in the way? Tune in to find out! 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl Part 1: We'd Huck a Rotten Potato at an English Landlord No Problem

Dear Diary, 
It's new book time! And this one is a fan favorite. We're reading So Far From Home: The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl. This is the second book in the series by Barry Denenberg and it was published in 1997. 
The story begins in Skibbereen, Ireland where Mary Driscoll lives with her Ma and Da. Ireland is in the depths of the potato famine, with Skibbereen being hit particularly hard. But hope is on the horizon. Mary is headed to America to find work in the textile mills and hopefully save enough money to bring the rest of the family over in time. But first, she must survive a treacherous journey across the ocean. 
Join us as we discuss Mary's journey to America and get really passionate about the horrors of the Irish potato famine. 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit
 

Historical Note: Ranger Chris Carey on the Oregon Trail

Dear Diary, 
We got to talk to an old friend of Jen's, Chris Carey about his work at the Whitman Mission National Historic Site! Chris had some great facts to share about life on the Oregon Trail and some fresh insight into the story of the Whitman Mission. Chris also had a surprise choose-your-own-adventure game at the end of our conversation! Oregon Trail TTRPG (tabletop role-playing game) anyone? 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell Part 2: Manifesting Gal Pals

Dear Diary, 
It's the second half of our recap of Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell! We get to find out what happens to the Campbells and their wagon train as it continues along the trail. 
Will Hattie ever get a straight answer about what marriage is like? Will Wade ask Hattie to dance? Will the klepto Mrs. Kenker ever get caught? Tune in to find out! 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen 
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell Part 1: Manifesting Destiny

Dear Diary, 
We took a nice long break but we're back with another season and a new book! This week we're reading the first half of Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell. It was written by Kristiana Gregory and it was published in 1997. This marks our first repeat author! 
In the book, we are introduced to Hattie Campbell, a young girl traveling the Oregon Trail with her family. Hattie learns many valuable lessons during her journey, including overcoming prejudice and the importance of caring for community.
We're excited to be back!
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

Historical Note: Paul Ringel on Writing the Civil War for Kids

Dear Diary, 
We finished our first season with a great chat with Paul Ringel! Paul is a history professor at High Point University, and an author of books including Commercializing Childhood: Children's Magazines, Urban Gentility, and the Ideal of the Child Consumer in the United States, 1823-1918 and Kid History, Inc.: Selling Children the American Past. 
We talked about Emma and Clotee's stories. What they did well and what they could have done better. We also talked about how to write history for kids that is both engaging and historically accurate. Tune in to hear Paul's thoughts on these Dear America books and hear more about his projects. 
See you again soon for season 2! 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
Check out Paul Ringel's website paulbringel.com
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit