Junia, The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek

by Kim Michele Richardson, David C. Gardner (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781668936368
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	04/15/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 7 Years

About the Author

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.
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.

Editorial Reviews

...quite simply a standout...Parents will find it the perfect read-aloud tale.

Donovan's Literary Services

This is a book sure to find a special place in the hearts of children—and adults—everywhere.

New York Times bestselling author - William Kent Krueger

Junia is the Lassie of our time...I am completely smitten.

Award Winning Author of One Good Mama Bone - Bren McClain

2023-12-06
A tale of bringing a very valuable commodity to people in the Kentucky hills.

During the Great Depression, Junia the mule and her “Book Woman” carry precious cargo to the residents of remote areas in the eastern Kentucky hills. Folks here have no access to reading materials, except for those delivered by “Pack Horse librarians,” like the one in this story, set in 1936. The two make a stalwart team, starting their rounds before dawn, traversing difficult terrain in all weather, and finishing after dark. Every month they travel “hundreds of miles to drop off thousands of reading requests.” Narrator Junia describes a day’s adventure: The duo encounter a menacing rattlesnake, ford waterways, and narrowly escape disaster when a rickety bridge collapses into a creek before they cross it. They’ve formed warm bonds with their patrons; Book Woman knows their reading preferences perfectly and tailors her collections to meet their needs. This is a warm, heartfelt, and humorous tale; readers who regularly visit school and public libraries will marvel that such librarians once existed (an author’s note offers background on the real-life Kentucky Pack Horse librarians). The colorful illustrations capture the cozy spirit and feel of the rural setting and residents. Junia’s a delight; kids would love to meet her on their next library trip. The “Book Woman” presents white; there’s diversity among the background characters.

It’s heartening to learn that books and libraries—no matter their form—have always prevailed. (photograph, mule fun facts, additional resources) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews