SNEAK PEEK: Katy of Rose Valley, Chapter 1

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In light of the release of this new blog, we thought it fitting to release the first pages of a last years children's favorite: Katy of Rose Valley, the second in the series. The first book took us from Russia over the Atlantic Ocean to America. This second book takes us on an adventure settling in the Dakota Territory. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Early Summer, 1874

I can’t believe we’ve finally arrived at the place we’ll make our new home. The ride in the wagon from Yankton took us almost three days, but we finally reached a beautiful valley where Father says we will settle. Just as Uncle Andreas had told us about this new land, the valley made up of tall grasses, is scattered with little pink wild roses. Uncle Andreas has always called me his “Little Rose.” As I look at this beautiful land, my heart swells in my chest.

“But where is our house, Father?” I ask. “All I see is more of the tall grass we’ve been driving through for the past three days.”

“Oh, Katy, there are no houses built yet; that is one of the first things we’ll all have to do,” Father tells me. “That is why our wagon is full of so many supplies.”

“In the valley to the right is Mr. Daniel Unruh’s homestead. Do you see all the houses in a row there?” he asks me, pointing into the valley. “Another mile to the west is where we’ll build our house and make our new homestead.”

My eyes get big as I think about what he has just said. How will we be able to build a new house? I don’t see dense forests like we had near Futtor to provide wood to make our house; only a few trees line the little creek down in the valley. I think about the beautiful, warm house we left in our little village of Futtor, and it makes me so sad to have to start all over again.

It seems like a lifetime ago when we left Russia, back in April and traveled across Europe. We took four different trains and experienced things I could never have imagined. We ate under the stars, traveled through huge cities, and sailed across the vast ocean on an enormous steamship for over ten days. We saw strange fish jumping through the ocean and flocks of seagulls, and we were thrilled to see a pod of Right Whales on our last day on the ship.

We arrived in New York City and entered this new land through a spectacular “Castle.” In this new country, we saw trains move through the skies. Just twelve days ago, we left New York City on a train to come to our new home. Father says we are now in a land called Dakota Territory.

Just a week ago, all of us children, our mothers, and our older cousins stayed in Yankton while our fathers searched these lands for our homesteads. We stayed in a big hotel, explored the frontier town of Yankton, and played along the Missouri River. We were scared when we nearly lost my little cousin Jonathan when he slipped into the water and almost got swept away by the river’s swift current. We were so surprised and a little scared when a native Indian man grabbed him and hauled him to safety. The Indians we had been so afraid of had saved his life, and we were so grateful to them.
What will our new life be like after all these amazing adventures over the past month and a half? I’ve been missing our little village of Futtor, where I could walk to all my cousins’ homes, where I had a sizable warm home and barn, and where I had a fantastic horse named Darya. In Futtor, we played under the weeping willow trees and in the little creek that ran through our village.

Just then, like reading my mind, Father says, “Look, Katy, see that little brook down in the valley? It’s called Turkey Ridge Creek. You’ll probably have many fun adventures in this new stream, just like in the little creek in Futtor. The Turkey Ridge Creek is also by our new homestead. You will have so much fun playing there.”

Seeing my father pointing out the little creek, Ann, my cousin and best friend, skips beside me. “Yes, Katy, look at that little creek; it reminds me of our little creek back home. It makes me so happy that we’ll have something to remind us of Futtor and have stick races on.”

“I know,” I say. “I can’t wait to take off our shoes and socks and wade in the cool water!”

Uncle Andreas comes up to where Father, Ann, and I are talking and announces, “Well, Christian, now the work begins. Should we finish this journey and find a place to settle for the night? In the morning, we can go see the Unruhs.”

“Yes, let’s complete what we began so many days ago,” Father says.

We climb back into our wagons, and Father leads our group into the valley this time. As we bump down the rough trail, I can’t help but wonder what our lives will be like in this barren and empty land. What is our new home going to be like? When will it be built? Will I be able to play with my cousins every day? Will Father buy new horses for us?
We get to the bottom of the valley near the little creek. Father stops our wagon as the others follow and position their wagons behind ours, forming a circle. The older cousins, Big Jake, Big Pete, and John J, oversee the oxen. They unhitch and water the oxen and then get them situated to graze in the tall prairie grass. Tante Barbara goes and leads Sarah, our milk cow purchased in Yankton, to a spot by the creek to drink and eat. As the older boys focus on the oxen, Father and my uncles unload the scythes they packed and start cutting the grass around the wagons. We younger children are in charge of bundling the cut grass to start our fires. Mother and the other women start unpacking our cooking utensils and food and prepare to make our supper. We work for hours, getting situated for the next few days. By the time supper is ready and we have cleared the area, we are so tired we can barely keep our eyes open as we eat.

When we finish eating, Mother says, “Katy, your aunts and I will clean up the supper dishes and put away the leftover food. I need you to take Anna and help her get ready for bed. In the coming weeks, we’ll need you to help watch over your sister as we work on creating a new home here. It will be much work, and we’ll need your help.”

“Mother, I can do that,” I reply. “I will help you and Father with whatever you need. I can take care of Anna. She is getting big enough to come along with me and our cousins. We will all watch out for each other. I know I can help you and Father.”

Mother hugs me and gives me a big smile as I take Anna by the hand and head to our wagon to help her prepare for bed. “Anna,” I begin, “you and I will spend much time together this summer. Since I’m the oldest, you must listen to me and do as I say. I will always look out for you and watch over you, but you must listen. We can have a lot of fun exploring our new homestead with Ann and Freni.”

“Yes, Katy, me listen!” Anna tells me excitedly. “Me play with you and Ann and Freni. Me will follow you.”

I smile down at Anna and help her change into her night clothes and brush her teeth and hair. We settle into the nest Mother has made us in our wagon, and as soon as our heads hit the pillow, we’re asleep.

What happens next?

How will they build their house without lumber? What kind of adventures will Katy have exploring the nearby creek? Will her father find her a new horse? Discover all of this and more with the rest of the adventure! Find your copy at www.masthof.com or contact us to order. (See details below or click on the link to the left.) Reach out to us if you would like more information on wholesale purchases. We would be delighted to give you a discount on any order of 10 copies or more. Interested in learning more about the Mueller sisters? Visit Joan and Lisa's author website for more information or to download their FREE resource packets!

ROSES OF THE VALLEY: BOOK 1 & 2

Praise for Katy: The Little Rose From Ukraine (Book 1)

As an elementary teacher of almost thirty years, if I find something to incorporate into my curriculum that covers a multitude of standards, crosses several content areas, and at the same time has the potential to reinforce social skills and problem solving...then I definitely get excited about sharing it with others! This school year’s example is without a doubt the book, “Katy,” by Joan and Lisa Mueller. 

I came across this literary gem accidentally while collaborating with the Heritage Hall Museum in my hometown of Freeman, SD. When I picked it up off of their shelf and made the purchase, there was no way that I ever could have predicted how a book about one Mennonite family’s journey to a new country and the strength of their faith during adversity, could resonate with so many members of our school and local community. 

Karla Rupp

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Grades 1-2 Instructor, Freeman Academy

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