Liza KetchumCritiques

The Last Garden, by Liza Ketchum is a memoir told through the author’s recollections of gardens and plants that have special meaning for her. Each chapter is titled with the name of a specific plant and is beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings. An engaging storyteller, Ketchum describes her love of gardening as being threaded through five generations. She tells stories of her grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren. Cuttings are taken and plants are frequently dug up and transplanted during her moves to new homes throughout her life. Her story begins and ends in Vermont. The Last Garden is a celebration of the cycle of seasons, gardens, and of the author’s life itself.

Gardening is an emotional and deeply personal part of Liza Ketchum’s memories. Her book The Last Garden is a moving and poignant recollection of the people and places she has known throughout her life and how she is connected to them by the gardens, fields, streams and woods encompassing them. A plant is not just a plant, it is a link to a specific time in her life: the beets she grew at camp as a teenager, the pots of geraniums she carried with her through many of life’s changes, and Alice’s roses planted at the front door of her home in Vermont. What a lovely way to document a life. This book is surprisingly charming and one I’m happy to recommend.

This book arrived in time for a period in summer when I needed to slow down due to the heat. I haven't gardened since 2019 due to health and I miss it.

Liza Ketchum's book, The Last Garden, resonated with me as I've been going back in my mind to other gardens from my past lately.

This book is perfect for an simple read that leads to thoughtful moments. As the author reflects on the passage of time both in our lives and in our gardens, it is easy to stray to your own past and think those deep, slow thoughts. I found it a comforting walk in the past and not depressing as some books like this are. It is more of a celebration than a memorial.

I know I may not have another garden of my own and I very much appreciated the view of the author in a similar circumstance. She recounts both garden spaces and the gardeners as well as her favorite plant friends and why they are worth discussing. There is something to be learned of plants and people here.

Definitely worth reading.

A nice, quiet, reflective little book. I thought momentarily from the title that the focus would be the garden the author planted in what she felt were her final years- but really, it glances back to many different gardens she had throughout her life. From ones she barely participated in as a child, to those of family members and neighbors she visited, but mostly the gardens she planted and tended in various homes she lived in through her adult years. Each chapter has a loose focus on a certain plant or flower, telling what it meant to her, what family member or friend it reminds her of, how cuttings or shoots of it were handed down through the family or among gardening friends. I expected to glean little bits of gardening advice and lore, but what more I picked up on was the closeness of family among many moves and restarts, new beginnings all over again. The comfort that came in growing things from the soil, that familiar work with hands in the dirt. Simply joys in seeing birds and butterflies visit her plants, reassurance in knowing she’d done some good to support the natural world, when all else around might seem to be falling apart with misuse, pollution and global warming. I felt a bit distracted throughout, not always following closely who the various people she spoke of were, and missing more depth and detail about the actual gardens (I could well have read this book were it twice as long)- but for what it was, very nice. The finely drawn, black-and-white illustrations by Bobbi Angell are lovely.

What a treat it was to read this terrific book by Liza Ketchum! I've always loved gardening and the author is an avid gardener who reveals much of her life story by referring to different plants and flowers and her adventures planting them. You learn so much about nature and the individual characteristics of shrubs, trees and flowers by reading this really well written book.

The author and her family lived in many places in the United States. The thread that ties all her experiences together throughout her life is her passion for creating gardens. Each chapter is named for a different flower or plant that was significant at that time of her life. My favorites are the last few chapters of the book where the author reflects on aging as well as on her friendships throughout her life and the impact of her love of gardening.

Do yourself a big favor and get this wonderful book. I assure you after reading it your interest in gardening will blossom!

Life cycle of a queen bee. Very well done

I remember reading this book in middle school and loving it. Wanted to revisit it. Pretty good YA novel of a family's trip west during the Gold Rush. Grim occasionally, but realistic.

A historical novel of early twentieth-century vaudeville that demonstrates elements of racial discrimination applicable today. A strong depiction of the difficulties of American theater life in the last century. Includes Author’s Note, Glossary, Resources/Bibliography.

Experience the gold rush through the eyes of industrious young Amelia as she sets o on an adventure in an attempt to help her family make ends meet. Note to Readers.

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A World turned upside down -- The First Californians -- The Argonauts -- The Overland Trail -- The Great American desert -- In the diggings -- The Other gold rush -- Children in the mines -- Phoenix City -- Gold Mountain -- Blood scattered like water -- The End of La Fiebre de Oro -- After the Gold Rush.
Illustrates the event which drew thousands of people to California and its effect on the gold seekers, the Spanish settlers, and the native Indian tribes who lived there.

Fabulously intertwined dual points of view, Hiram and Daniel, deepen the themes in this page turner. Ketchum shows readers an unfamiliar part of history and the reactions between two young boys dealing with war, politics, family and race. This is everything historical fiction should be: exciting, meticulous and thought-provoking.

Fabulously intertwined dual points of view, Hiram and Daniel, deepen the themes in this page turner. Ketchum shows readers an unfamiliar part of history and the reactions between two young boys dealing with war, politics, family and race. This is everything historical fiction should be: exciting, meticulous and thought-provoking.

This historical fiction chapter book shows the journey of a young girl in San Francisco during the Gold Rush times. This piece will serve a very good function in the classroom as it will give students a glimpse into the past while giving an entertaining tail.

I didn't care for this book, but that being said I think this book could be a great book for kids to see that you don't always have to be the stereotype that is associated with your gender. Its ok to be different.

In a classroom setting, Newsgirl can be used to introduce students to the history of the California Gold Rush as well as open a discussion about gender roles. Given the obstacles faced by Amelia faces because she is girl, Newsgirl demonstrates the historical roles of women, while providing a character to help build insight into gender roles.

Genre - Chapter Book
Classification - Historical Fiction
Approximate Age Level - 10 & up
Multicultural Classification - Melting Pot
Personal Reflection - This book was a slow read for me but it was a great portrayal of the Gold Rush time period and women's right. It was definitely well-researched. It was also definitely a nice change to see a female as the heroine. This book could be used to discuss gender stereotypes, family relationships, and character changes. After reaading the novel, students can pretend to be "newsgirls" or "newsboys" and write their own newspapers.½

This book is rich in historical detail and rich in California history. Young girls will find a hero in Amelia. The story addresses sexism, women's rights, and even homosexuality. It is an easy and fast read with a lot of social issues prime for discussion and debate. It appears to paint an accurate picture of what life was like for women and immigrants during the Gold Rush era of California. Fantastic for fourth grade California history, but equally valuable to introduce women's suffrage and even 21st century gay rights issues.

Good historical fiction. I liked the womens' rights issues. Lots of facts surrounding a story.

set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush with actual events nicely woven into the text; strong female protagonist; difficulties of same-sex partners raising a child

12-year-old Amelia Forrester can't wait to reach San Francisco, where her mother and mother's companion hope to set up shop as seamstresses. But the male-dominated "Phoenix City" proves a challenging place to make a new life for three women on their own. Amelia quickly finds that out on the frontier, news from back east sells for a premium. But even peddling newspapers from home causes Amelia grief - the pack of boys who make a living off the papers do not take kindly to a girl horning in on their turf. Undeterred, enterprising Amelia hacks off her hair and dresses up like a boy, a bold decision that leads her on a harrowing adventure winding through unfriendly city streets and hard mining towns, filled with accidental hot air balloon rides, kidnapper-sailors, and fire. Exploring fatherlessness and gender-roles within the context of the gold-rush towns of 1851, Ketchum deftly side-steps the lure of the sanctimonious. Amelia, an imperfect and relatable protagonist, comes to terms with her own identity and her unconventional family as she struggles to overcome discrimination and other hardships. The plot does take some time to pick up speed; however, the final third of the novel speeds along, and Amelia's growth as a character happens naturally. Highly recommended.

Amelia has traveled from the East Coast to San Francisco with her mother and a friend. There they hope to build a life at the beginning of the Gold Rush. Amelia can read and write, which is a talent not shared by many. She also arrives at the dock with newspapers from Boston, wrapped around their possessions. Newspaper, no matter how old are a viable commodity. But, Amelia is snubbed the the newsboys. So, she hacks off her hair and fashions boys' clothing. Can she move around the city without being discovered? Can she break into the newspaper business and support her family?

When Amelia arrives with her mother and her mother's friend in San Francisco, they are looking for a new start. Little do they know that life will be so very different in this new, western town. Life is hard for the few women in this dusty town and Amelia must dress as a boy to sell newspapers and earn money.

I so wanted to love this novel, but it just moved too slowly to be entirely enjoyable. There's a great deal of historical detail and a wonderful author's note, but I just didn't find the characters or plot entirely compelling.½

This is historical fiction at its best. Amelia Forrester is a twelve year old girl who has moved with her mother and a family friend from Boston to San Francisco. Her mother has plans to make men’s clothing. Amelia, trying to sell the Boston newspapers they had packed all their belongings in has found it is a man's world. Combat this issue she cuts her hair and dresses like a boy. Kids have an opportunity to learn a lot of period history including how women fought for equal rights. I believe the plot is exciting enough to keep my reluctant readers reading.

In the spring of 1851 San Francisco is booming. 12-year-old Amelia Forrester has just arrived with her family and they are eager to make a new life in Phoenix City. But the mostly male town is not that hospitable to females and Amelia decides she will earn more money as a boy. Cutting her hair and donning a cap, she joins a gang of newsboys, selling Eastern newspapers for a fortune.