Young Readers

A Bride for Anna's Papa

A Story of Finnish Immigrants
By
Isabel Marvin
“An accurate and wholesome book.” —CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW
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Thirteen-year-old Anna Kallio often thinks about the way life was before her mother died. Now responsible for running the house and caring for her younger brother, Matti, she has no time for school or playing with friends. And she worries about her father, who works in the dangerous iron mines.

When Anna and Matti realize how lonely their father is, they plot to find him a new wife, even trying to arrange a match with one of the “mail order” brides arriving from Finland. But the results are different from anything that Anna expected.

Set in 1907 in northern Minnesota’s iron-mining range, A Bride for Anna’s Papa is a vivid story of the courage it takes not only to survive but to enjoy life in a rugged frontier community.

ISBN
9781571316509
Publish Date
Pages
144
Dimensions
5.25 × 8 × 0.44 in
Weight
6.2 oz
Cover Art

Praise and Prizes

  • “Set against a compelling background of dangerous iron mines, beautiful lakes and woodlands, a labor struggle, and a multi-ethnic community of European immigrants … Refreshingly matter-of-fact.”

    Hungry Mind Review

  • “Wonderfully crafted … There is much about intimate Finnish family customs—including a detailed description of the weekly use of the sauna… . There are fascinating passages about a strike of miners, a box social, children getting lost in an underground mine, a Christmas celebrated without money or gifts.”

    Northfield (MN) News

  • “An accurate and wholesome book.”

    Children’s Book Review

  • “Anna’s advanced maturity, brought on by her familial obligations, is offset by her wavering, insecure reactions concerning her new mother… . Well-developed characters and a plot with enough suspense and drama will hold readers’ attention throughout.”

    School Library Journal

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