Exploring the Chicago World's Fair, 1893

"Exploring the Chicago World's Fair, 1893" is a good book, but it didn't have an ounce of happiness to it. Under the circumstances, I understand that Dora wouldn't be running with joy throughout the fair, but still, have her smile at the sights and sounds every so often. I find it hard to believe they would build a fair, which reminds me of a modern theme park from today, and then tear it down - how sad. Also, we never found out why Da Pomeroy's letters never made it to his wife and children, what job Mama Pomeroy took to make money for the rent and food, after she quit being Little Egypt, etc. I enjoy Laurie Lawlor's writing, but I am disappointed with the American Sisters series for two reasons: there isn't an Epilogue, so you haven't a clue how the Pomeroy's fair in the future, and second there isn't a historical explanation of the fair. If you don't care to learn about the historical facts of the Chicago World's in 1893, but just want to see what it was like from a child's point of view, then I recommend it - if you want to learn history, then don't bother.

Dora Pomeroy has always longed for a more traditional family. Her parents, who are in the theater business, have moved the family - Dora and her three younger sisters - more times than Dora can remember. Out of the twelve years of her life, Dora has only attended school for four years. Her happiest memories are of the past year spent on a ranch on the Nebraska prairie - ironically, her parents' worst memories. Now that the ranch has failed, the family is moving to Chicago - just in time for the World's Fair of 1893. For the Pomeroys, Chicago is a city of dreams. Dora and her sisters are eager to explore the fair. But when the girls and their mother lose contact with their father, reality hits hard. Mrs. Pomeroy and the three older girls have to work to pay for their room and their meals. Dora longs for the day when her family will finally be together again - but will that day ever come? I highly recommend this book, and the rest of the American Sisters series, to young readers who enjoy historical fiction such as the Dear America series.