Dear America: Like the Willow Tree

By: Lois Lowry

Narrated by: Sara Barnett

Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Fall of 1918, eleven year-old Lydia Pierce and her fourteen year-old brother, Daniel, find themselves suddenly orphaned by the Spanish flu epidemic. Their grieving uncle takes them from their home in Portland, Maine to be raised in the Shaker community, where they are separated since males and females are not permitted to live together. Lydia, a fiercely independent girl, is forced to adjust to her new life and the restrictions placed upon her all on her own.

©2011 Lois Lowry (P)2011 Scholastic, Inc.

Enjoyed this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Narrator did a good job. The storyline was good too.

Great read

I loved that the author used mostly real characters and actual dates. I'm a nerd and love stuff like that. I'm going to go do the tour it soon hopefully as I'm from Massachusetts.

This was awesome!

Lydia is an amazing young girl who somehow is strong enough to keep going after her parents and baby sisters tragic death of the Spanish flu. I mean, I probably wouldn’t want to go on after that. The shakers are amazing people, even though I find their traditions strange. This book taught me a lot, and also touched me. And now going through the Coronavirus, I know exactly how she felt.

Great story about Spanish flu and Shaker society!

My kids and I listened to this on Audibles and we learned so much about what life was like in 1918/1919.
In the audiobook, it was read by a girl who sounded young like the girl in the story. (around 11 years old) That also made it relatable to my kids. The girl who read it did a great job!
It was very well written and had so much history that we learned by default, while also being entertained by the story!
It talks about the devastation of the Spanish flu but mostly focuses on the girl who was taken to the Shaker community when her parents died. The story also touches on World War I since that was also taking place during this time.
It was a very moving story - and at the end of the book it also has an overview of history at the time. Lots of fascinating information there too! It also has the author speak at the end about why she wrote this book. All around, we enjoyed it thoroughly! My kiddos asked to listen to it again as soon as it was over! I hope they turn more of these Dear America stories into audiobooks. 😊

this is a great book seriously you cannot take a bad one

Like this is the best but you could've ever have I love this book because it's so great and so much drama so much happiness so much so much great and so much good and so much much much much much much much much much much more and it is the best part because I am a girl he is really a boy yes I'm up for you but he really liked it

Great History Information

I really liked this book. The way the story is written is great. I enjoyed learning how these people live. I didn't stop listening to it until I finished it... This is put together so nice . This book is good for all ages. I like the narrator. I only wish it was longer ...

Excellent for any age.

I highly recommend this book for it's historical content for growing minds. They will learn a truth about history in a well written and easy to understand format.

One of my favorite audiobooks to date!

Where does Dear America: Like the Willow Tree rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's one of my favorites. Due to its short time but great, and heart-warming story, I've gotten to enjoy it many times.

What about Sara Barnett’s performance did you like?

The reading was realistic and an easy listen. I just enjoy it.

Any additional comments?

It's a short book but it's very good. I've always enjoyed books about different American religious groups, and also historical fiction, which this book combines. It's out of my usual time period I like to listen to, and on a much lower reading level, but it's still a joy to listen to. Perfect for a car ride.

I vow to be Simple

I thought the story was delightful and informative. I also enjoyed the church hymns. Thank you Lois.

Dear America

This really is a great book . I really enjoyed the story and audio reader. It really grabs you and keeps you wanting to hear the whole story. I definitely recommend this book.