Midwest Traditions (2005)
Original Softcover Edition
ISBN 1-883953-35-9
128 pages, 5.5" x 8.5"
Fiction/Juvenile (ages 8-12)
$10.95

The long-awaited sequel to Carrie and the Crazy Quilt and Carrie and the Apple Pie

This historical novel continues the adventures of Carrie Heidenworth and her little brother Fritz, survivors of the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 in northeastern Wisconsin.

In this third book, Carrie, now on the verge of turning 14 years old, has moved with her family back to Peshtigo As winter descends, she gladly pitches in to help her mother open a boarding house. With Carrie’s delicious apple pies, the boarding house quickly becomes popular with the men working to rebuild the little town after the recent fire.

Despite her good nature, Carrie faces challenges from well-kept secrets and hidden jealousies. She must learn to trust her heart, as those around her, including the always cheery youngster nicknamed TD, try to help her overcome her fears and grow in friendships old and new.

The story unfolds the year after the great fire swept through pioneer forests and farms north of Wisconsin’s Green Bay on October 8, 1871—the very same day as the famous Great Chicago Fire. The Peshtigo Fire was named for one of the small villages caught in the path of the fiery storm.

Nelda Johnson Liebig was born in Oklahoma; she has taught elementary school in Alaska and adults in Russia. She is the author of many children’s short stories and this series of novels about the girl who survived the Peshtigo Fire by clinging to the back of a cow swimming in the river. Carrie and the Crazy Quilt received an Award of Merit in 1997 from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Ms. Liebig lives in Trempealeau, Wisconsin.

Midwest Traditions is an award-winning nonprofit publisher of book for young readers.