Peck, Gregory. The River Between Us. 2003. Dial Books, New York, NY.
Hardcover, $16.99. ISBN: 0-8037-2735-6.
Book Talk:
Step back into Grand Tower, Illinois. The time is 1861, in the days just before the beginning of the Civil War. The boys in town are practicing for the war. Marching, drilling, and target shooting, they are preparing to go off and fight. Some will fight for the north, and some for the south.
Tilly and her family live on a farm. Their father is off somewhere, supposedly earning money to help the family, but he hasn't been seen in years. Tilly's brother, Noah, has been off practicing with the boys, getting ready for the start of the war.
The river runs up next to their city. That big river, the Mississippi. Trade, people, and news come from the paddleboats that run up and down the river. The arrival of a boat is big news, and people from town and the surrounding farms will descend upon the dock to hear the news and greet the people.
This particular day, a steamboat whistle blows that changes the life of Tilly and her family forever.
Off of the boat step two of the most beautiful, wonderful, intriguing women that the town has ever seen. Fleeing the uncertainty of New Orleans before the war, they are searching for a safe place to live. Tilly's mother offers the women a room in her home. With that one simple act, change has forever come to Grand Tower.
Delphine and Calinda bring a certain grace and elegance to the family that has been missing. They receive packages of goodies from home on a regular basis. They make and sell "Genuine Pralines" to the passengers of the boats in order to help raise money to support the family.
But, who are Delphine and Calinda? Where do they come from? Why are they here? What is their purpose in staying in town? Are they simply fleeing the potential violence in New Orleans, or do they have a more sinister agenda?
Join Tilly in this fascinating walk through time to find out more!
Author's Web Site:
I could not find the "official" website for Richard Peck. However, I did find the link to his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/richardpeckauthor
Book Awards for this Book:
Winner, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
National Book Award Finalist
ALA Noteable Book
ALA Best Book for Young Readers
Booklist Best Books of the Year
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
Publisher's Weekly Best Books of the Year
