Honey Girl

Opening in 1908, this enthralling story is the fictionalized account of a Wisconsin-to-Arkansas voyage 12-year-old Dorothy Stahmann and her family undertook via houseboat. The Stahmanns support themselves by selling pearls and shells found during occasional clamming expeditions and the honey produced by their numerous beehives. Journeying south, Dorothy experiences the kindness and cruelty of strangers, the horror of nearly drowning after falling overboard, a violent storm, and her siblings' bout with measles. Harrah has fashioned a dramatic tale from notes recorded by Dorothy and Mrs. Stahmann, crowning these with scientific, geographic and historical information. Ages 8-12. (Dec.)