Premise/plot: Four kids (Becky, Joan, Phil, and Dick)--doubly orphaned, first by their parents and then their uncle-guardian--set off for Tripp County, South Dakota, in 1910 to homestead on their Uncle's filed claim. And this is to be accomplished almost always on their own. Yes, there are supportive adults who share advice and sometimes an extra pair of hands, but, hundred percent of the blood, sweat, and tears of farming/homesteading will be on these four youngsters. (The oldest is sixteen or seventeen.) The book chronicles about a year's worth of time--give or take a couple of weeks. We definitely go through [late] spring, summer, fall, winter, and the beginning of another spring. Becky, the oldest sibling, I believe, becomes a "teacher" of sorts in a one-room schoolhouse. She isn't certified, but, she's a) willing b) gone through school herself so she's educated enough to teach younger ones c) wanting to go to "normal college" to get her teacher's certificate. There is the almost obligatory chapter where a blizzard strands kids at school.

My thoughts: This one was published in 1929. It was recognized with a Newbery Honor in 1930. This book was published half a decade (at least) before Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing her children's stories about the homesteading life. (Some of Wilder's books would be set in South Dakota, though decades earlier.) The 1910 setting is interesting. We've got some modern touches--the kids have lived in a city and had city conveniences before--but we've got hints of the older 'pioneer' lifestyle as well. To original readers, 1910 wouldn't have seemed all that "historical" in all likelihood. Today's readers will definitely consider it 'historical' in nature. Perhaps a bit quaint and dated, perhaps outdated.

Anytime you have an older book, you'll always have people curious about the content and if it is problematic. This one has at least one instance of the n-word--just so you know that up front. It is in relation to working hard and long hours in the field. The children obviously didn't see anything wrong with this word as a descriptor. (Modern readers, if this book has any, may not agree.) There was not really a presence--or notable presence--of Native Americans or "Indians" in this one. You could argue that their absence from the story raises its own issues. But you won't find any scenes like in Little House On the Prairie. So one could definitely look for ways to talk about context and content with children if you're reading this one with children.

I don't know how I could have missed this book growing up... I loved the pioneer stories I read, especially as I got older and realized I KNEW pioneers among my great aunts and uncles (my grandfather, too) had all traveled by cover wagon across the country. I also happen to know of a family of abandoned children during the Depression, who lived out of a car, by themselves, ages infant to young teen. So I know what kids are capable of doing and surviving.This story of children homesteading in the west was amazing. I'm glad to see it back in print so I could discover it! Might be a good summer read for kids, teens, even adults.

I really enjoy historical fiction and The Jumping-off place didn't disappoint! This book has wonderfully written, I loved the character of Becky, her strength and determination was inspiring. I would have liked to delve a little deeper into the younger character's personalities, but over all I was pleasantly surprised with a story much like those of one of my favorite authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder!

Working a homestead in South Dakota in 1910 would be hard for anyone. Yet, four orphaned sibilings are put to the task. If you enjoy reading books like Little House on the Prairie, you will enjoy following the story of these four as they battle weather, bad neighbors, claim jumping, and the worry of having enough money to take them all the way to establishing their claim.
No matter whether you are 12 or 20, you will find yourself turning the pages of this book enthralled with the story Marian Hurd McNeely has created.

The style of the writing made the book a little hard to get into. I felt like I was missing something... I think it was why the children were doing what they were doing. I felt removed from the story as if it were more like a newspaper article than a book. It was hard to connect with the characters.

I can’t believe that I missed this book growing up. The Jumping-Off Place by Marian Hurd McNeely is a marvelous story of the pioneer spirit so well portrayed by these four orphans. I would have loved it as a child seeing how teens and children made it in a world that was difficult even for adults. It is sort of a cross between the Box Car Children and Little House on the Prairie, while also being uniquely its own story.

These siblings are living out their late uncle’s dream by homesteading in South Dakota. Their determination against natural difficulties along with some human conflicts kept the story a page turner. Like all great stories, the Linville’s story inspires the reader today just as it did when first published.

The story has the old fashion writing charm that dates the piece but it makes for a graceful flowing read. I appreciated the way it is written for upper elementary children but found the story to be just as interesting for me as an adult. Kudos to those who have republished the 1930 Newberry Honor book, The Jumping-Off Place.

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It’s a rare fiction book that I’ll rate 5 stars. I didn’t even hesitate to give this one that rating. Even though it is a children’s book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m afraid it will always be compared with Laura Ingles Wilder’s books. The same love of the prairie, the same care for family, the same selfless labor for each other, the same harsh natural elements, the same rugged people, the same feeling of community permeates both books, but it can stand on its own merits.
McNeely wrote a heartwarming, but not sugarcoated, story about homesteading. It’s a call to do the hard things, the lasting things. It’s a call to grow past ourselves and own small desires and to see others. Now a child might not pick up on all that, but I did. Our heroes start out merely to fulfill their Uncle’s dying wish and end by finding home and community.
Please let me recommend it to you. It is worth reading.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley and Dover Publications. No review was required, but it was my pleasure to write it.

This could be a great read-aloud book for the whole family to enjoy. I love the writing style and the story of the 4 siblings. However, I would have liked to see a mention of the abuse the Natives suffered due to the "homesteading" and colonization. I don't feel comfortable recommending any book that glosses over these facts. I suppose one could always teach this part of history afterward, or encourage open dialogue throughout, but I would have liked to see it included in the narrative.