A Grateful Harvest

The year is 1865. After a trying time, fourteen-year-old orphan Vanessa "Nessa" Clemens feels as if she has finally found a place for herself in Prairie River. While many of the townsfolk dislike the young schoolteacher, she has made an abundance of friends in folks both young and old, and is content with her current situation. She misses her best friend, Albert, of course; but leaving him behind in Missouri was the only thing she could think to do when she discovered that she would soon be forced to marry the decrepit, unkindly Reverend McDuff. Prairie River is everything she could have ever hoped for in a town. Finally she feels as if she belongs, and to make matters even better, she is employed doing something she loves - teaching - and is making a monthly salary from it. But after the death of one of her students, Nessa has no idea whether her position will be renewed, or if she'll be run out of Prairie River. Unlike other people of her age, Nessa has not had an easy existence. Cast away at an orphanage when she was a mere four-years-old, Nessa is nothing more than a runaway orphan trying to make something of herself. Unfortunately, many of the townsfolk refuse to accept her as a community member, and do what they can to shun her. And after the discrepancy involving one of her students, many feel that she is not responsible enough to be left in charge of students. The town's need for a teacher, however, gives Nessa a second chance, and the opportunity to prove to all of the doubters that she is just as competent a teacher as someone who has been brought up in a well-to-do family. Her orphan status has absolutely nothing to do with what may happen in the future. But when Nessa lets a secret slip, she realizes that even her friends may, at times, turn their backs on her, and she will have to rely on faith to get her through the tough times. But nothing could be tougher than learning that Reverend McDuff has discovered where she is, and is determined to claim what he feels the Lord has chosen for him - Nessa. Nessa has only told Mrs. Lockett and her best friend, Ivy, about the trouble involving Reverend McDuff that she left behind in Missouri; but if he makes his way to Prairie River, Nessa is frightened that people's opinion of her will turn even more sour, and leave them looking for a reason to fire her from her teaching position and shun her as a member of society - for good. It has been quite some time since I read A JOURNEY OF FAITH, but, even with all of the time that has passed, I felt as if I was easily able to pick up where Nessa's story originally left off. Kristiana Gregory has, once more, woven a story that is impossible to put down. Nessa is such a responsible, loyal, lovely character whom you can't help but sympathize with, and adore. Her passion for teaching, and her students is mature and admirable; while the love she shows towards her friends, and various animals surrounding her makes her seem youthful, at the same time. The r

I bought the first book in this series as an extra gift and my daughter now anxiously awaits every new edition. I've also read all 3 so far and really enjoyed them. They're "real" books, not shallow or fantastic, but absolutely captivating. I highly recommend the entire series.

Prairie River: A Grateful Harvest, is a wonderful story thay always seems to have you leaving wanting to read more, and more.A beautiful ending that makes people want to buy the second sequel. It is 1865, ans school teacher Nessa is teaching in a small schoolhouse in Prairie River. That is all I am going to give you. :) I recomend this book for people who love the Little House series and for people who love history. This story seems to me as a genra, historical fiction, with a little mystery twisted into the plot, so jump into this book, and meet Nessa!

A Grateful Harvest is the second book in the Prairie River series. Both books are well written giving you vivid pictures of how hard life was for a young girl without parents in middle 1800s. She relies on her new friends and God to help her through the tough times. The ending leaves you with just enough knowledge to anticipate the troubles in the next book. I would recomend this book to anyone who is looking for a great historical series.

This is the sequel to the book Prairie River: A Journey of Faith. So you really shouldn't read this book if you haven't read the first one. Both boooks were excellent and I finished them in 2 days. But if I had to choose, I would probably say the first book was a tiny bit better. But then again, what sequel is ever as good as the original?