Five-Star Review Seal earned from each of three reviewers for Readers' Favorite
Click Here for October 2020 Update/Awards/Lesson Plans
Readers' Favorite - Review Rating - 5-Stars by K.C. Finn 1-7-2020
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean M. Flahive
Books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
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 which they 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 historic 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 historic 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 are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would-running full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Patricia Pierce Erikson photo
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.