I bet the person who ordered eight copies of Leora’s Letters from Amazon purchased them for a book club. Recently I learned of another group who’ve chosen it for a winter meeting. At least a half-dozen book clubs from Polk City and Indianola, Iowa, to cousin Judy’s in Texas have discussed at least one of the Leora books.
Some groups use their own questions, but all four books have Discussion Questions at the end. Beta reader and retired teacher Elaine Briggs composed a list of “Classroom Topics of Discussion and Activities” for Leora’s Letters.
I’ve enjoyed being invited to book clubs when they discuss Leora’s stories. One of them, a local group of therapists (physical, occupational, and speech), included the first three Leora books and voted on their favorite. Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression won. If I’d found a book like it when I was a student, I wouldn’t have avoided history classes all the way through college. This one has short chapters, which I think students would appreciate. Several people have mentioned it.
Elaine Briggs has written two books: Joe Dew: A Glorious Life and Yes! All Can!: Increase Reading Levels in Weeks, Resolve Conflicts and Build Character, Develop Leadership. Here is her Amazon Author Page.
And Congratulations are due again, Joy. This is fantastic. I am so happy for you!
Isn’t this just amazing!
I’m very happy for you!
Grandma Leora and those three sons are being remembered!
That’s what is so important!
How wonderful that the Leora books are being discussed by book groups!
Thank you, Liz. She is being remembered!
You’re welcome, Joy. A family couldn’t ask for more!
So wonderful, Joy! 🥰
Yes, and amazing!
Congrats–again–for another big achievement for your books!
Thank you, Dennis. Grandma Leora and those three sons are not forgotten!
How wonderful, Joy! <3
Thank you, Annette. They are not forgotten!
I bet it’s a lot of fun to share your book with a book club!
Yes! I sure enjoy hearing someone else tell how they related to Leora’s stories.
It’s great that your books are receiving this recognition, Joy, and they sure deserve it.
Thank you, Tim. It’s so heartening that the stories of the Wilson family, and their terrible sacrifices, aren’t forgotten.
That is wonderful that book clubs choose such an authentic historical book.
You’re right! Most of them choose novels, don’t they? Thank you, Jacqui!
I agree with you, Joy. The personal history of a family is considerably more intriguing compared to dry facts in a history book. 🙂