Junia, The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek
Junia is a mule. But she's not just any mule. She's a mule with an important job. Every morning she carries her Book Woman up and down the rugged hills and surrounding woodlands near the Kentucky town of Troublesome Creek. Book Woman is a Pack Horse librarian. She and Junia deliver free books and reading material to the people living in the hills and woods. It's not easy work. Every month they ride hundreds of miles to make their deliveries. They've traveled through sunshine, rain, and snow, up twisting, turning paths where no car or wagon could ever go. But Junia can--steady, sure-footed, bighearted Junia. The library patrons are counting on Book Woman's visits, and Book Woman is counting on Junia. And Junia won't ever let her friend down. Junia, the beloved, spunky mule from the bestselling The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series, comes to vivid life for young readers in this picture book tribute to Kentucky's Great Depression Pack Horse Library Project.
| Interest Level | Kindergarten - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 1 |
| Dewey | E |
| Lexile | 780L |
| ATOS Reading Level | |
| Guided Reading Level | M |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Sleeping Bear Press |
|---|---|
| Available Formats | Hardcover (9781534113039), PDF (9781668936351), Hosted ebook (9781668936382) |
| Copyright | 2024 |
| Number of Pages | 40 |
| Dimensions | 10 x 10 |
| Graphics |
William Kent Krueger--Junia
This is a book sure to find a special place in the hearts of children—and adults—everywhere.
Bren McClain--Junia
Junia is the Lassie of our time…I am completely smitten.
Kirkus Review - Junia, The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek
This is a warm, heartfelt, and humorous tale…It’s heartening to learn that books and libraries—no matter their form—have always prevailed.
Author: Kim Michele Richardson
Kim Michele Richardson is the New York Times, and Los Angeles Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the critically acclaimed, award-winning novel The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, which the modern-day book lady Dolly Parton devoured and recommended, and The Book Woman’s Daughter. Kim Michele writes about the brave historical Pack Horse librarians of Kentucky and especially loves writing about her beloved Kentucky, its history, traditions, and people. She believes books are powerful knowledge that can change lives and open wider windows to our world—and that libraries are neighborhood cornerstones where librarians play an important role in every society, providing vital safe havens and multifarious community treasures and lifelines for everyone. Kim Michele is a native-born Kentuckian and resides in Kentucky with her family.
Illustrator: David C. Gardner
David Gardner is an award-winning illustrator and visual development artist. Before going freelance, he was an artist for several animation studios, including Walt Disney Animation Studios. His work has appeared in magazines, including Cricket and Cobblestone, and he has illustrated numerous picture books, including the historical biographies The Harvey Milk Story and Sarah Gives Thanks. A longtime member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, Mr. Gardner teaches illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design. To learn more about his work, please visit him at FlyingDogStudio.com.
| Original artwork |