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Author: Frank Shima

ISBN: 0-87839-224-6

Vencil is the name James (or Jim) in Czechoslovakian. Not knowing this before I read the book, the title seemed strange to me; nor could I get an idea of what to expect based on the blurry picture of old men on the front cover.

 I picked out this book because the first chapter (as a short story called “Superfarmer”) won the 1987 Lake Superior Writers Series fiction competition.

Through Jimmy’s six year-old eyes, we are drawn into 1950’s rural Minnesota, to an old-world Czech community slowly making its way to modernization. Plum Creek is little Jimmy's world. He does his farm chores, goes to school, and dreams of owning a television so he could watch Superman. Life, as he knows it, is interrupted when his uncle Vencil goes missing; and this is just the beginning of what becomes a year of changes for him and his family. This is a charming idyll that has a mix of humor, suspense and sentimentality.

There are sweet, funny parts as Jimmy tries to navigate his way in an adult world. Many of the chapters end with a realization of Jimmy’s, as his eyes are open to some new discovery or he learns something; and this adds that all-important depth that good writing needs. Also notable are the descriptions of farm life. We get to romp with Jimmy barefoot through the creek and dirt and manure, and also trudge with him through the hard aspects of farm work.

Written in first-person point of view, the simple and unembellished writing represents a childish, innocent voice; but the writing could have used some embellishment here and there. Time slows down for a child at certain instants; they’re not always thinking simple thoughts. Children can experience things that they can’t express; and I wished to “be in the moment” and have more detail in the climatic parts. The writing is so simple that a 4th grader could read this, but there are a few swear words and adult content. I would recommend this for Junior High and up.

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The above review was contributed by: Sonia Reppe: Sonia holds a B.A. in vocal performance, gives voice lessons in the Chicago area and spends most of her time reading and taking care of her daughter, husband and cats.