From the shores of Lake Erie to the DuPage River in Naperville, Illinois, the adventures as seen through the eyes of a 12 year old girl are very exciting.

The book is well written and easy to read-along with, and the illustrations are great.

This is a must-read for every student in the Naperville school system and for their families. I highly recommend this book to be placed in every school library.

George Pradel has been Naperville's Mayor since 1995 and is known as "Naperville's #1 Cheerleader!"

 

Ruth makes our history come alive because you experience it through the eyes of this young girl.

Mary Ellingson has served as a Naperville City Councilman and is a member of the Naper Settlement Board

 

  

 

Your book is absolutely charming! It certainly describes our country's harrowing , frontier-developing days - and in such detail! You must have labored long hours of researching.

"Ruth by Lake and Prairie" should delight today's young readers especially, as they realize the sharp contrast to their twenty-first century lives.

Peg Yonker is a local historian, speaker, former president of the Naperville Heritage Society and author of the book "Lone Feather and the Settlers: A History of Naperville, Illinois." You can read more about Lone Feather here.

 

We are lucky such a talented researcher and writer was drawn to this story. Ruth's journey captures the dynamic energies of a homesteading voyage at a time when "... Illinois has wide boundaries and few people."

An observant, heartfelt look at the arrival of the first Naper families to what is now Naperville, Illinois. Ruth By Lake And Prairie is delightfully written and punctuated with edifying illustrations. Through Ruth's eyes we experience a gentle, beautiful look at hope, joy and families growing up together.

It's a great book. Thank you for researching and writing and persevering. Ruth By Lake And Prairie will be a wonderful addition to school and family libraries. There is so much to learn and appreciate in your creation!

Can't wait for the next book!

Mary Lou Wehrli is from a 5th Generation Naperville Family. She is very active in the community and is an author, local historian and filmmaker.