A Five-Star Review Seal earned from each of the three reviewers for Readers' Favorite
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Readers' Favorite - Review Rating - 5-Stars by K.C. Finn 1-7-2020
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean M. Flahive
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in
Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston
Eliot Historical Society, Eliot
Gray Historical Society, Gray
Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Print: A Bookstore, Portland
Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride is a work of children's fiction penned by author Jean M. Flahive which takes place in the historical setting of the 1910s. Written for a middle-grade reading age of nine to twelve years, this historical work looks at poignant issues of the time, particularly in the case of young women and the effect of the Roosevelt presidency on the State of Maine. Our central character is Millie Thayer, whose headstrong ways don't really suit the quiet life of a farmer's daughter: she seeks more from the world. So when she crosses paths with a fated celebrity, Millie begins a journey to adulthood that has many farther-reaching consequences than she realizes.
Filled with historical gems and so much to learn and discuss, author Jean M. Flahive has created a charming novel that is also an essential teaching tool for local history. In terms of genre, the work is exceedingly well-researched, and Millie's story is inserted into an accurate timeline of local and global events which will surprise many young readers and certainly fascinate them to learn more in their own time. From a story perspective too, this makes for an interesting plot filled with excellent twists, and the ways in that become linked to Millie's emotional arc, as her dreams are constantly under threat of destruction, linking readers to her in a very meaningful way. Overall, I believe that Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride achieves everything it sets out to as an accomplished work of educational historical fiction and an engaging read for its target audience.
Readers' Favorite - Review Rating - 5-Stars by Risah Salazar 1-3-2020
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean M. Flahive
Reviewed By writer Risah Salazar for Readers' Favorite
Millie Thayer, a curious girl from Gray, Maine, finds herself admiring Theodore "Mr. Teddy" Roosevelt a little bit too much. When she was seven, a fortune-teller assured her that she would be meeting someone notable in a black car. But Millie, at such a young age, didn't even know what notable meant. As soon as her mother explains the meaning of that word, and she learns from her father the wonderful deeds that Roosevelt is currently doing, she (has) decided (that) this notable person she will meet is none other than Mr. Teddy himself. And as for the black car? Maybe it has something to do with one of the electric trolleys of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean Flahive is the perfect story for young readers, especially little girls. This historical story is not only informative but also entertaining. I have learned so much from this book and the photos with notes at the end were indeed helpful. I love how Flahive wrote the character of Millie because she is the role model our girls need today - feisty yet considerate, bright, and full of hope. She is not just a dreamer; she is also a doer who will never stop until she gets what she wants. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a great adventure with American history on the side. It's a short story that can be finished in one sitting. Trigger warnings include multiple deaths, mentions of World War 1, and influenza.
Readers' Favorite - Review Rating - 5-Stars by Emily-Jane Hills Orford 1-3-2020
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean M. Flahive
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Ninety-six-year-old Millie is excited to be visiting the shop where the famous electric trolley, the Narcissus, is undergoing restoration. As she steps aboard, the memories of a lifetime take her back to her childhood, when, as a seven-year-old farm girl, she dreamed big, and Narcissus was the newly launched electric trolley making a run on the newly laid tracks near her family farm. The wonder of it all causes Millie to watch in awe. Discovering that a famous person, a notable person, is on board; none other than the former President, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie is determined to meet the man. But the wagon breaks down on the way to town and Millie is distraught, deciding instead to run after the electric trolley in the hopes of presenting the man she calls Mr. Teddy with a bouquet of sweet peas she picked fresh from the garden. Millie didn't earn her nickname Spitfire without just cause. In fact, Mr. Teddy does see the little farm girl running after Narcissus and he orders it to slow down so the girl can catch up and present him with the flowers. As Millie grows up, she tries repeatedly to meet the man who captured her attention at such a young age. But war looms and tragedy hits the family hard, but the little girl with the big dreams continues to reach out.
Jean M. Flahive's children's historical fiction novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the
Elegant Ride is a cleverly told story based on history. Starting in the present day (2000), the novel takes the young reader back as the main character, Millie, now in her nineties, recalls momentous events in her childhood before, during, and after the First World War. The different eras are well labeled so the reader doesn't lose track of which part of the story happens when. The present-day Millie tells her story to a young man who marvels at the adventures of childhood so long ago. Millie speaks like a grandmother would speak as she unravels her exciting tale. The character's past and present, are well-developed and the setting (is) described with clarity. The childhood fascination with a notable figure, in this case, Teddy Roosevelt, makes a connection with a historical figure in American history. The story is an enjoyable read, packed full of both fun and history. A real gem.
Ninety-six-year-old Millie is excited to be visiting the shop where the famous electric trolley, the Narcissus, is undergoing restoration. As she steps aboard, the memories of a lifetime take her back to her childhood, when, as a seven-year-old farm girl, she dreamed big, and Narcissus was the newly launched electric trolley making a run on the newly laid tracks near her family farm. The wonder of it all causes Millie to watch in awe. Discovering that a famous person, a notable person, is on board; none other than the former President, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie is determined to meet the man. But the wagon breaks down on the way to town and Millie is distraught, deciding instead to run after the electric trolley in the hopes of presenting the man she calls Mr. Teddy with a bouquet of sweet peas she picked fresh from the garden. Millie didn't earn her nickname Spitfire without just cause. In fact, Mr. Teddy does see the little farm girl running after Narcissus and he orders it to slow down so the girl can catch up and present him with the flowers. As Millie grows up, she tries repeatedly to meet the man who captured her attention at such a young age. But war looms and tragedy hits the family hard, but the little girl with the big dreams continues to reach out.
Jean M. Flahive's children's historical fiction novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the
Elegant Ride is a cleverly told story based on history. Starting in the present day (2000), the novel takes the young reader back as the main character, Millie, now in her nineties, recalls momentous events in her childhood before, during, and after the First World War. The different eras are well labeled so the reader doesn't lose track of which part of the story happens when. The present-day Millie tells her story to a young man who marvels at the adventures of childhood so long ago. Millie speaks like a grandmother would speak as she unravels her exciting tale. The character's past and present, are well-developed and the setting (is) described with clarity. The childhood fascination with a notable figure, in this case, Teddy Roosevelt, makes a connection with a historical figure in American history. The story is an enjoyable read, packed full of both fun and history. A real gem.
Here is the link to the 4-Stars out of 4-Stars review by J. Gideon at OnlineBookClub on December 13, 2019
Official Review: Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean M. Flahive
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Cover Art and Sketches by Amy J. Gagnon
US $14.95 paperback - 201 pages
ISBN: 978-0-578-54473-1
Library of Congress Card Control: 2019909872
"An eye-opening and entertaining ride - you won't want the train to stop!
Highly recommended.
Andrew Vietze, award-winning author of Becoming Teddy Roosevelt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
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The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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