When the Meadowlark Sings: A Montana Memoir

This is a charming book about the difficult life of an abandoned wife of a family in early Montana years that has to support them. Because early Montana schools did not have money to fund full year rural schools many times, she had to move her brood mid-year sometimes to yet another location she could find to teach & keep them together. Her daughter has written a lovely book that is a tribute to her Mom & the positive attitude with which they were raised/taught through this difficult life.

Nedra Sterry is a great story teller. This is a throughly enjoyable read; it does get a bit confusing to follow as it isn't written cronologically. Aside from that, it could have been written about any number of Montana school teachers and their families, trials, and tribulations.

Being from that part of MT myself, I found this book quite compelling and a very easy read. I found myself asking questions and then being surprised at the answers it took me awhile to find out after it dawned on me what was happening. I admire the perseverance of the women who pioneered the frontier. Nedra, you did a great job conveying the hora of living in that land back in the day. We all know it was hard but re-living it through your eyes brings it closer to reality. All we can really say, is thank God for your mother and her strong faith in education. I enjoyed the book very much and wish that more people would take advantage of this opportunity to learn about some of the stories of our foremothers so to speak.