Books with title Black-eyed Suzie

Illustrated in black-and-white. The beauty of the Dakota Territory's wide prairies is captured in this poetic novel about a pioneer family in the 1880s. To ten-year-old Susie, the open skies and vast plains mean limitless freedom and adventure. But in her mother they inspire only longing and loneliness. Recalling her home in Ohio, she has become increasingly reluctant to even set foot outside their sod house. Set during a single day and framed by two magical prairie sunrises, Black-Eyed Susan beautifully evokes the prairie and the lives of the settlers who dared to move there.

Excerpt: ...her." "Mr. Whiting says they are a little jealous because we do so much for Gentilla, and not for their own little girls. He thinks we haven't been very wise," answered Mrs. Whiting. "And now that you have made Gentilla these aprons, I don't know what they will say." From the shady back porch, where Grandmother and Miss Liza sat rocking and sewing together, it looked as if two Susans, one large and one small, were walking down the path toward them. For Gentilla wore, fitted to her small person, a dress Susan had outgrown, and on her feet a pair of Susan's shoes, the toes well stuffed with cotton. "Grandmother, we are going to play," called Susan. "And I want to whisper in your ear." "Can't you say it out loud?" inquired Grandmother mildly. "It isn't polite to whisper, Susan." "I only wanted to ask if I might pack a lunch in my little basket for us," said Susan. "It isn't a secret. I just as lief have Miss Liza hear." Susan reappeared in a moment, basket in hand, carrying Snowball and Flip. "Let me see what you took, Susan," said Grandmother. In the basket were two molasses peppermints and two lumps of sugar. "Just enough for Gentilla and me," said Susan contentedly. "Phil has gone to Green Valley with his mother." Down the lane they started, Gentilla carrying Snowball, Susan with Flip and the basket of lunch. "There is no use looking in there to-day," announced Susan, waving her hand toward the office. "Grandfather has gone fishing, and Snuff has gone with him. This is good weather for fishing. Grandfather said so, and he knows everything." "Everything," echoed Gentilla loyally. "Yes, he does," Susan chattered on. "When I was little, I used to wonder why he wasn't a king. There are always plenty of kings in fairy stories, but there don't seem to be any round here. Did you ever see a king?" Gentilla shook her head solemnly, but Susan was not looking at her....

Ethel Calvert Phillips is best known for her juvenile stores "Black-Eyed Susan," "A Story of Nancy Hanks," "The Santa Claus Brownies," and many others. Susan was a very little girl who lived with her grandparents on a farm. She had no one to play with and was lonely until Philip Vane, a little boy about her own age, came to live next door. Then when some gypsies left a little orphan girl as a present for Susan, her joy was complete. The book is edited and illustrated. Chapters are hyperlinked and easy to use in kindle.