One Day in the Prairie

One Day in the...

by Jean Craighead George, Bob Marstall (Illustrator)

On a grassy mound in southwestern Oklahoma, a herd of bison moves restlessly. The air buzzes with electricity. It lifts the fur on the backs of the bison and tingles through their feet. But Henry Rush doesn't notice anything different. He has come to the prairie wildlife refuge determined to take a photo of a prairie dog doing a back flip.

The bison share the refuge with many animals, from owls to prairie dogs to elk to great blue heron. The approaching storm interrupts the day's activities and sends the animals and Henry scrambling for safety. Who will survive the flash floods and whirling funnel-shaped winds of the tornado? And who will be overcome by them?

Newbery medalist Jean Craighead George describes beautifully the expanse of the prairie as well as daily life on it as the inhabitants temporarily adjust to one of nature's most powerful storms. Bob Marstall's illustrations bring to life the quiet drama of the prairie.

Genres: Childrens, Science, Nature, Kids

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Jean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.

The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."

Reviews

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if this would be interesting or not. I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was written for younger readers, but there were many little bits of information about the animals that were fun to read.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jean Craighead George will always be quite a special author for me and part of that is since my Dad introduced me to her books through Julie of the Wolves. Ever since I have tried hard to look for her books and read as many as I can thus I have got an array of her works while each time she amazes me whether she is writing from a human or animal perspective.

One Day In the Prairie is a snapshot book and explores what is called a day but I would say that it is probably only about twelve hours. Here the reader is introduced to an unnamed wildlife refuge and its inhabitants although if I had to make a guess I would have to say the wildlife refuge is probably based on Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, which is around the same area.

The writing is simple to read and follow along to while still holding plenty of scientific information about the fauna and flora that's included. Instead she takes what would have been the big surprise although one that is easily guessed, especially from those living on the prairie, and makes it into a bit of a mystery around survival.

At the same time the illustrations are just wonderful to look at and capture the moments with rich detail. Although not colored they still give you time to take a break and explore the world that you are traveling through.

For children who enjoy nature stories and fast reads this is one that I would recommend. And just maybe when you are given a chance to explore a prairie refuge with your family and/or friends you may just find yourself able to point out a much lesser drama being played out on that same stage.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this nature story about a day trip to the prairie. There were detailed animal descriptions and helpful illustrations.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, informative book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cool! I had never seen a chapter book that was both a fictional story with dialog and characters, and included a large amount of informational facts. I really like that this book gives you the time throughout the read so the reader knows exactly what is going on and when. This chapter book really stood out to me. This would be a great book for students who want a fictional story book but factual and educational information.

[Ms. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about how a kid named Henry Rush takes pictures in the praire and does all the evendures like there was as tornado and he ran aside the animals like ox,spiders,chipmunies,and all other animals. carson

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative story about life in the prairie. The story attempts to be exciting, with the impending danger of a tornado, but it just didn't really hold our girls' interest. We read it quickly, but I could tell they were a bit bored. Oh well...I thought it was interesting.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neither a good fiction story nor a good non-fiction ecological essay. Instead it tries to be both in alternating paragraphs and succeeds at neither. Sorry - intentions were good, but it was soooo boring. Had to pitch it half-way in.

[Debbie]

buffalo, prairie dogs, tornado

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So quiet, with hardly a human voice in it. Perfect pacing, beautiful drawings to complement terse and economical prose--loved it!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Day in the Prairie it is interesting

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

great for a read aloud or to begina study. Might not grab a kid on his own.