SUMMER ON THE SUN-UP
The Ranch with the Quarter-Circle-Three-Bar Brand
Theme: An American family works together to help save the ranch and fight World War II on the home front.
Middle Grades Ages: 8-12
Historical Fiction
Summer on the Sun-Up is the story of a family struggling to fight foreclosure on their cattle ranch and to do their part for the country at war. A young Jane Eaton tells of the family's adventures of that summer of 1943 — a round up, a cattle auction, and a strange accident at The Dalles Ferry. She tells of the family's sorrowful good-bye to Uncle Robbie as he goes off to war. She tells of 14-year-old cousin Scott who plays practical jokes, reads minds, and learns to drive the wheat truck. Here are strong men — optimistic Dad, grumpy Grandpa, the fiery Red Evans baling hay, and brave "Pops" sailing in the Pacific with the navy. Here is Mother who wanted to be a librarian, but now keeps the ranch books, races to smooth the rocky path for everyone else, and grows a Victory Garden. Here is Ann, high-spirited 12-year-old sister and sidekick. Here is five-year-old Ellie with a voice that flits like a moth, and who names the new bull. Youngest is three-year-old Tom, who gathers up scrap metal for the war and chases cows with his stick. Summer on the Sun-Up is a story set in Klickitat County in the State of Washington. It follows Jane as she promises to work even harder to help save the ranch. She does not give up.
Like the country, she hangs on and survives.
Summer on the Sun-Up is the story of a young family on a little ranch caught-up in a big war. It captures the best of the American spirit.
