One Came Home

By: Amy Timberlake

Narrated by: Tara Sands

A Newbery Honor Book

An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book

Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile Novel

“An adventure, a mystery, and a love song to the natural world. . . . Run out and read it. Right now.”—Newbery Medalist Karen Cushman


In the town of Placid, Wisconsin, in 1871, Georgie Burkhardt is known for two things: her uncanny aim with a rifle and her habit of speaking her mind plainly.

But when Georgie blurts out something she shouldn't, her older sister Agatha flees, running off with a pack of "pigeoners" trailing the passenger pigeon migration. And when the sheriff returns to town with an unidentifiable body—wearing Agatha's blue-green ball gown—everyone assumes the worst. Except Georgie. Refusing to believe the facts that are laid down (and coffined) before her, Georgie sets out on a journey to find her sister. She will track every last clue and shred of evidence to bring Agatha home. Yet even with resolute determination and her trusty Springfield single-shot, Georgie is not prepared for what she faces on the western frontier.

Critic reviews

Starred Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2013:
“With its historical backdrop, enjoyable narrative, and endearing heroine, this will appeal both to fans of Philbrick’s The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg and Kelly’s The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, January 2013:
“Timberlake seamlessly integrates information about two significant events that occurred in Wisconsin in 1871… Georgie’s physical and emotional odyssey that occurs between those two events will linger in readers’ minds.”

Starred Review, The Horn Book, January/February 2013:
“…it’s Georgie’s voice that really brings the story to life, with its original, folksy turns of phrase and self-deprecating humor that make it as entertaining to read as a Christopher Paul Curtis novel.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2012:
“Georgie's story will capture readers' imaginations with the very first sentences and then hold them hostage until the final page is turned.”

it is not the greatest in my opinion but these b

I would give it a 7/10 if I hade to read this book again I would not be mad

Setting, story, narration: all solid!

Just about perfect. The story is great, with a strong setting that reveals the peacefulness and wildness of the west at once. The main character is strong and sassy and smart and irresponsible, but completely like-able. Mystery and adventure are weaved into the story, and I just guarantee that you'll love it! I'm SERIOUS about my audiobooks, and this one is a big hit!

This book was the best mystery book I have ever read!!!! 📚📚

This is a great book for people who love mystery’s and suspense, highly recommended for 10-13 year old kids

Meh

(Spoilers)I thought I would enjoy this book because it sounded like the main character was someone I could have related to; however, it never quite fulfilled its promise for me. First of all, I chose to get the book as an audio book so I could use my Audible credit on it, and I did not like the voice acting at all. To me it seemed overacted and had more country twang in it than I have ever heard anyone from the Midwest have. It would take me a few minutes of listening to the story to get used to it each time I listened to the book but eventually my mind could focus on the real story. The other part of the issue for me was that the story seemed to build a little bit and then would pause to talk about pigeons and pigeoners randomly and destroy any momentum or excitement that was starting to build for me. At about thirds of the way into the book it gets to the point where Georgie and Billy are in a rough spot as Billy is injured by the ring leaders of the counterfeit gang and Georgie ends up in a shootout with them. As the scenario wound down it seemed like the book was likely over however their were still several more chapters that meant to tie up loose ends along with allowing Georgie and her family to receive an anticlimactic letter from her sister Agatha who had indeed went to college but just choose not to write because she couldn’t have comprehended that they would have been worried about her. Overall, for me the book was okay, its not something I would pick up twice or recommend to others.