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A review by librariann
The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts
3.0
Ages 9+ (nothing objectionable, other than catty girls)
7th grader Libby Ryan is from a long line of northern Indiana cattlemen. This year, with her older brother Ronnie starting his freshman year at Purdue, it's up to her to raise the prize steer for the Practical County fair. Supported by her best friend, Carol Ann, and antagonized by the awful Darling sisters (Precious, Lil and Ohma), she develops a close bond with her two steer and struggles with the knowledge that the animals she loves are *beef*, and their ultimate fate is a slaughterhouse.
Knowing nothing about farm life myself, this seems like a fairly realistic (no Charlotte's Web endings) view of farm life. Although Libby struggles with the fact that her steer will be sold (and makes a few bad choices because of that) there isn't a rescue ending. Her brief stint with vegetarianism is met with puzzlement, and funniest of all, the pinnacles of style (where you go to buy designer evening gowns) are Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Still a sweet story and quick read. Readalike: Me and the Pumpkin Queen.
7th grader Libby Ryan is from a long line of northern Indiana cattlemen. This year, with her older brother Ronnie starting his freshman year at Purdue, it's up to her to raise the prize steer for the Practical County fair. Supported by her best friend, Carol Ann, and antagonized by the awful Darling sisters (Precious, Lil and Ohma), she develops a close bond with her two steer and struggles with the knowledge that the animals she loves are *beef*, and their ultimate fate is a slaughterhouse.
Knowing nothing about farm life myself, this seems like a fairly realistic (no Charlotte's Web endings) view of farm life. Although Libby struggles with the fact that her steer will be sold (and makes a few bad choices because of that) there isn't a rescue ending. Her brief stint with vegetarianism is met with puzzlement, and funniest of all, the pinnacles of style (where you go to buy designer evening gowns) are Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Still a sweet story and quick read. Readalike: Me and the Pumpkin Queen.