In this Book
- Letters to Oma: A Young German Girl's Account of Her First Year in Texas, 1847
- Book
- 2016
- Published by: TCU Press
summary
When fifteen-year-old Christina Eudora Von Scholl learns that her family will leave their German homeland to seek freedom in Texas, her greatest sorrow is leaving behind her beloved grandmother. And so, in a series of letters, she takes “Oma” on this great adventure with her family . . . and takes us as readers.
Sometimes the letters are dark with discouragement, for the Von Scholls find, as did many German-Texas families, that the Society for the Protection of German Emigrants, known as the Adelsverein, was unable to fulfill its promises of land, housing, horses, and farm implements. But they are Germans, determined and willing to work hard.
More often these letters—and the text woven in between them—are bright with adventure, for Tina finds Texas an exciting, if puzzling, place. There are new customs to learn, new foods to eat, even while the family preserves its traditional German ways. Tina’s adventures include a run-in with a mountain lion, an exciting trip across Texas with her father to Sisterdale, and a frightening encounter with Lipan Indians. Her lessons in being an American are helped by Jeff, a young man who becomes part of the family when he undertakes to teach them to farm in Texas. Tina, in return, teaches Jeff to read and learns a lesson in love that is without nationality.
Letters to Oma is a charming, informative novel that sweeps the reader back to a very particular time and place. And Tina Von Scholl is irresistible as correspondent and as heroine.
Sometimes the letters are dark with discouragement, for the Von Scholls find, as did many German-Texas families, that the Society for the Protection of German Emigrants, known as the Adelsverein, was unable to fulfill its promises of land, housing, horses, and farm implements. But they are Germans, determined and willing to work hard.
More often these letters—and the text woven in between them—are bright with adventure, for Tina finds Texas an exciting, if puzzling, place. There are new customs to learn, new foods to eat, even while the family preserves its traditional German ways. Tina’s adventures include a run-in with a mountain lion, an exciting trip across Texas with her father to Sisterdale, and a frightening encounter with Lipan Indians. Her lessons in being an American are helped by Jeff, a young man who becomes part of the family when he undertakes to teach them to farm in Texas. Tina, in return, teaches Jeff to read and learns a lesson in love that is without nationality.
Letters to Oma is a charming, informative novel that sweeps the reader back to a very particular time and place. And Tina Von Scholl is irresistible as correspondent and as heroine.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Acknowledgments
- p. vi
- Chapter 10
- pp. 81-88
- Chapter 11
- pp. 89-98
- Chapter 12
- pp. 99-108
- Chapter 13
- pp. 109-112
- Chapter 14
- pp. 113-124
- Chapter 15
- pp. 125-128
- Chapter 16
- pp. 129-138
- Chapter 17
- pp. 139-142
- Chapter 18
- pp. 143-152
- Chapter 19
- pp. 153-157
- Suggested Readings
- pp. 159-161
- About the Author
- pp. 162-164
Additional Information
ISBN
9780875656397
Related ISBN(s)
9780875650371
MARC Record
OCLC
966756961
Pages
162
Launched on MUSE
2017-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No