Judith Hendershot

I liked this book because of the illustrations. The mediums that were used were pastels and charcoals which helped to portray the solemn mood of The Great Depression as well as portray the texture and color of charcoal and the miners. I also really liked the language in the book. For example, "Then it was sent up into a tall building called the tipple, where it was sorted and washed." I liked that the author introduced new words to the reader and defined them in the sentence. The book follows the struggles of a young girl who lives in an Ohio mining town. The plot is very well developed and helps to portray the life of children around this time and the lives of coal mining families. I also really liked that the point of view was the young girl's. I think that this will help to engage young readers because they can relate to someone who is similar to them in age.… (more)

In Coal Country is about a young girl in the 1930s growing up in a small coal-mining community who experiences excitement and hardships in a life, which is deeply affected by the local industry. Despite the hard experiences that the families face while coal mining, such as low rages and long hours, families work together to find their inner strength and to form bonds that contribute to their success. In my opinion, I love how the community also comes together to take care of each other, and to help get through the heartaches and agonies they may face. The book gives readers a feeling of hope despite what they may be experiencing. This lifestyle was very common in coal-producing communities, and while the girl was made up it was based on real historical events. I also really enjoyed the illustrations because they spoke to their experiences.… (more)