Prairie Bloomin'

Butter in the Well, Book 2

By: Linda K. Hubalek

Narrated by: Ann Richardson

Popular Kansas author Linda K. Hubalek continues the story of a Swedish immigrant family featured in the Butter in the Well series with the second book Prairie Bloomin'.

Prairie Bloomin' features the 1889 to 1900 diary of daughter Alma Swenson, as she grows up on the farm her parents homesteaded. Even though born on the same farm in two different centuries, the main character of Prairie Bloomin', Alma Swenson Runneberg, and the author shared uncanny similarities while growing up in the Smoky Valley region of central Kansas.

Both the third child of their families, they lived in the same house, played in the same yard and worked the same acres until each married and moved off the farm.

©1993 Linda K. Hubalek (P)2013 Linda K. Hubalek

Prairie Bloomin' With History

What made the experience of listening to Prairie Bloomin' the most enjoyable?

The author set up Prairie Bloomin' as a fictionalized diary. It was a combination of personal and historical events which highlighted the changes to this Swedish family as well as the United States. This made the timeline apparent and made the narration flow smoothly.

What other book might you compare Prairie Bloomin' to and why?

I have never read a book written in this style before but I loved the way that the story moved. It was amazing how much I learned about history and our progress by listening to this book.

Which character – as performed by Ann M. Richardson – was your favorite?

Alma Eleanor Swenson. She is the third child in this family. It covers her life from age 16 (1889) until she marries at 27 (1900). The entire story is told from her point of view.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved the entire book. It moved me. The family thrived on hard work, community co-operation and family. It made me realize how difficult it was to carve out a life in this rugged and desolate country.