A reviewer
m j hollingshead, teacher, parent, writer, reviewer, 03/22/2007

On the pages of Danny and Life on Bluff Point My Horse Sally readers will enjoy meeting Sally the mare, Olive - Danny’s young doe goat, Buster the collie, and Clara the cat. Sisters Ruthie, Mary and Carolyn, Ma and Pa, Uncle Jerome and Aunt Liz, Uncle Henry and Aunt Mertie and Cousin Jay return in this work. Readers will also see more of Cousin William Fenner, no longer bully Billy Marshall, Doc and Uncle Ed. Cooking and heating the house is done with wood. Draft horses Belgians Kit and Bess, or Jim and Dan, are used to pull the heavy farm machinery used for working out in the family vineyard. Eggs and butter to sell, pruning vines and cleaning all out all the brush in the family vineyard, learning of the Seneca people, and the whole community enjoying Easter festivities, provide a lot of information for children and others. Presented in a charming, well written and easily read, continuing tale Danny and Life on Bluff Point My Horse Sally is a wealth of information explaining times, places and activities that might be downright boring on the pages of a text book. That the anecdotes offered in the DANNY AND LIFE ON BLUFF POINT books are based on true events and real people is a boon for teachers as they attempt to bring ‘social studies’ alive in the classroom. Some situations offered in the story: work done on the farm, solving problems and overcoming challenges, cooperation with family and community, no TV, no video games, and few ‘store bought’ goods, all speak of a time and place now all but forgotten. Old time family fun and caring are attributes valued then and valued today, This is a book I will use in my classroom. I know the children will enjoy hearing it read aloud and will want to read it again for themselves. Pencil drawings sprinkled throughout the work add to reader understanding and enjoyment.

At last - my own horse!
Alice Reynolds, A reviewer, 11/30/2006

Danny gets his own horse because he has proved to his father that he is learning to pay attention to his thoughts and actions. Getting the horse opens up a whole new set of ways that Danny can learn about dealing with people and animals and consequently growing up as a responsible person. Danny learns to do his share of work in the family's vineyards along with his other farm chores. Life in 1895 meant all family members were expected to do the jobs assigned to them and realize the importance of doing so. The author includes much local history in her books including grape growing, native lore of the Seneca Indians, steamboating on Keuka Lake and local industries such as the flour mills in this particular book. Read all of the Life on Bluff Point books in the series to get an interesting and accurate glimpse of life in the 1890's in New York State.

This is a must read for adults and children.
A reviewer, A reviewer, 03/31/2006

I have been intrigued by this series from the beginning. This book discusses what it is like to grow up in the 1890's as told through the mouth of Danny, who is 11-13 years old. It is refreshing to see how morals and values are taught to children and how they are expected to use these skills. This is a wonderful story on how Danny learns life's lessons by simple interactions with nature, animals and other people. People who read this book will be able to see that there is more to being a child than iPods and Nintendo. Highly recommended!!!