Brief

A pioneer woman, stricken with grief after the death of her baby daughter, is determined to get a fresh start. On their journey to a new homestead in Wyoming, the family faces the unveiling of closely held secrets, harsh terrain and hostile natives.

What We Liked

- Strong female lead;
- The character dynamic Jennie sets up with her husband and sons;
- Interesting setting/locations - very cinematic in nature;
- The introduction of a native character bridging the gap between settlers and hostile natives;
- The sweeping, epic feel of the story;
- It is a character study in the perversion of grief and how it can shape the entire dynamic of a
family set against the harsh backdrop of pioneer life;
- The structure could easily be broken down into episodic length featurettes.

Synopsis

Still grieving from the smallpox death of her infant daughter, Lizzie, Jennie wants to outrun her grief and get a fresh start. Determined to make it to Sheridan, Wyoming, Jennie corrals her husband, Perry, and their three daughters, Jessica, Vera and Iris, for the cross country journey in covered wagons. While camping out, the family meets a homesteader called Augustine. When Jessica is bitten by a rattlesnake, Augustine tells them that his wife, Catherine was given snake bite medicine by a native and that she can save Jessica’s life. He swifts her away to his home and Jennie follows on horseback. Somehow Jennie gets lost, but is rescued by a young native man. He says that his mother was helped by a white woman and he wants to honor his mother by helping another white woman. He takes her safely to Augustine’s house where the family is reunited.

At another campsite, the children meet a group of boys their age. Jennie is very stern with the kids and doesn’t want them to interact with others, but Perry wants to give them a chance to be around other kids their own age. While playing, one of the boys discovers that Vera is actually a boy. Vera is humiliated at having to wear dresses meant for his dead sister. When Perry sees the anguish of his son, he decides that he has to stand up for him and the other two daughters that are actually sons. He dresses them in his old clothes, cuts off their long hair and renames them, Jesse, Vere and Ike. The boys are thrilled to be able to be their true selves, but worry that their mother won’t approve. She doesn’t and when it’s time to leave camp, Jennie stays behind. While the boys and their dad travel west, Jennie broods about the situation. However, she decides to rejoin her family and goes after them. She has to pass a harsh night out on the prairie on her own, where she accidentally shoots something or someone, has her rifle stolen and is rescued again by the native man before being reunited once more with the family.

Jennie discovers that she pregnant and is overjoyed to think she could give birth to another daughter. This buoys her spirits and gives her the last push needed to make to their desired location. Perry is hurt by falling logs at the homestead site and can’t work. The native man arrives again. This time he is injured and needs help. Jennie offers him food and shelter in exchange for helping to build their home. The house is barely built when Jennie goes into labor. With the help of Perry and Catherine, Jennie gives birth to a healthy baby. She once again refuses to acknowledge that the baby is a boy. She names him Sarah and wraps him in pink fabric as the book concludes.

About The Author

B. J. Kirven has spent the past forty-five years in Wyoming. A true fan of the state, Kirven served on the Wyoming Travel Commission for two terms, traveling throughout many small communities and promoting the state both nationally and internationally. For the past twenty-two years, Kirven has worked as a real estate broker. When not working, Kirven is an avid photographer and watercolor artist.