Sweetbriar (#1 Seattle Sweetbriar Series/Brenda Wilbee)

This is a great read! Historical fiction is always fun to read because you get to see through the eyes of people from a different time period. I, of course, enjoyed the love story between Louisa and David. You get to travel with them to a new place where there are plenty of trials and bumps in the road that they all have to overcome. Louisa's and David's faith in God really helps encourage them through everything they must face. From Native Americans to family arguments, the life of Louisa Boren is inspiring. Read it and the ones that follow!

As a Seattle native who grew up near Seattle's Musesum of History and Industry, I found this to be an enjoyable story of the first white settlers we often call Seattle's "pilgrims." One of my favorite spots in the museum was the diorama of the early settlers on a rainy-looking Alki Point with their roofless log cabin.As an elementary school librarian, I have recommended this book as a read-aloud to our fourth grade teachers, where the history of Washington State is covered in our curriculum. What we've discovered is that, while factually interesting, the boys get turned off to the love story that weaves in and out. Now we mainly recommend this to upper elementary girls, and those who do read it end up wanting to read more titles in the series.I've only read the first book in this series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but my wife is currently devouring, and loving, the next titles in the series.Readers who know the streets of Seattle will begin to recognize where many of the names came from. Personally, I grew up near Louisa Street. I wonder where that name came from?For people interested in Washington State, Seattle, or the Oregon Trail, this book is highly recommended. This title was recommended by the Washington State Centennial Committee back in 1989.

I have read this book a couple of times and have been very impressed with the writers research on the facts and history of Seattle. Living in Seattle for 10 years I learned a little bit about how Seattle got started but I found that this book written as a love story kept my interest. When I am down town and see the street names and see the different buildings I remember the stories I've read from the Sweetbriar series. I love these books. Other cities should follow suit.