Kentucky by Heart: Three great reads by three Kentucky authors inspire, inform and entertain

And, with autumn approaching, it’s also a time to remember to give attention to our yard landscaping needs. One of my favorite experts on the subject, Kentuckian Walt Reichert, from Shelby County, has written a nice book on the subject, and so I’ll share my review* of the practical guide, which offers advice on your plantings for all parts of the year.
 

It is also, of course, the time when children go back to school, and I’ll also share two fine fictional reads for intermediate students that can prove enriching in the subjects of social studies and character education. Karen Leet and Martha Bennett Stiles are a couple of Lexington area authors who offer realistic looks at frontier life and high-sea adventure. They do it with an infectious love for making history not simply “dates on the calendar,” but people living life…and who remind us, sometimes, of ourselves as we struggle.
 

Hope all three books will prove a positive connection for you or a loved one.
 

Walt Reichert has come a long way since childhood when his sister and he mistakenly cut down Uncle Red’s tomato plants and “hilled up” the weeds. He’s now in his fifth decade of gardening and has regularly written about the subject for only a decade less. In Walt’s Wisdom: A Kentucky Cornucopia of Gardening Miscellany, Reichert aptly demonstrates what he has learned and what he has written while having a hand in the soil, mostly as a columnist for Kentucky Monthly.
 

With a readable, folksy style, Reichert shows the reader how to tend plantings of flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables in a common sense, down-to-earth (pun intended), and often humorous fashion. The 224-word book, with colored pictures and an index, is divided into sections according to the four seasons. Each chapter includes a pithy and concise blurb on the specific subject. Anecdotes abound and his vast experience comes through loud and clear.
 

The author makes abundantly clear that though gardening can be challenging work at times, it should be mostly fun and gratifying–not too serious. Reichert even gives this advice: “Don’t let some garden book writer stress you out about your garden.”  

That won’t likely happen with this offering by Reichert. It better serves as a stress reliever.
 

Karen Leet has always sought to bring the real of the past to practical understanding of the now. To put simply, she seeks to make history come alive and meaningful through her writing, especially in regard to her own state of Kentucky.
 

Her book for intermediate-level elementary students (or higher), Sarah’s Courage: A Kentucky Frontier Kidnapping, makes a strong case for successfully reaching that goal. A unique work, author Leet divides the book into two main parts, starting with a fictional story based on actual events in the life of Daniel Boone’s family—the Sarah’s Courage part. Two young frontier homesteading girls, Sarah and her friend Mely, are captured by Shawnee and Cherokee warriors when the two carelessly stray from their wilderness homes. Led by Sarah and her fortitude, and innate cleverness, well…there is a riveting ending that young people will embrace as the story tension rises.
 
The second part of the book is nonfictional and informational about life in Kentucky’s Boone era. It has a well-researched and social studies feel about it, complete with engaging study questions and ideal for classroom use. It is the author’s fourth book in print for children.
 

When long-time Bourbon County resident Martha Bennett Stiles pens a story, you can be certain of several things. It will be thoroughly researched for authenticity, be written well, and will be meaningful as well as entertaining.
 

Sailing to Freedom, written for readers in grades three through seven, is a historical fiction account of 12-year-old Ray Engle, who in 1853 goes to sea aboard his uncle’s ship, the Newburyport Beauty. Along with his fun and mischievous pet monkey, Allie, the young crew member has enough adventures on the high waters to last a lifetime. Ray finds wisdom from a former slave on board, learns to survive rough waters of the North American coastline and is privy to a secret held by a crew member on the ship. A parallel narrative between chapters depicts Ogun, a slave child, and his mother in pursuit of finding freedom in Canada. The author craftily uses the Ogun insertion to demonstrate point of view transition within a novel.
 

All elements of the moving storylines and descriptive settings serve to entice young readers’ imaginations, bringing the era alive for enriched study of geography and history. Stiles has created a highly useful tool for the classroom teacher; the book, so well done, has the makings of a children’s literature classic.
 

Whew! The past week has been quite an event-filled one for this humble author while moving the fourth volume of Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes into the public square.
 

Sunday afternoon, Aug. 23, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, was the biggest event. A crowd of about 150 people watched seven of the everyday heroes honored, along with a book signing afterward. Those honored were Matthew Bradford, Josh Nadzam, Raymonde Jacques, Mary Lynn Collins, Tom White, Ann Williams and Craig Peoples.
 

Also at Joseph-Beth, but in Crestview Hills on Thursday night, a crowd of about 30 attended my book event with Ally Bruener and Craig Peoples. The added enjoyment of seeing some of my relatives there made it even more special.
 

Then, a Saturday event culminated the week. I participated with a couple dozen others in the annual “Gathering of Authors” book festival at the Paul Sawyier Public Library at Frankfort. One of my highlights was the chance to share thoughts with Kentucky’s current Poet Laureate, George Ella Lyon, a talented, highly perceptive writer and delightful person. Our state truly has a literary treasure in Ms. Lyon.
 

*Review originally published in Kentucky Monthly magazine.
 

Northern Kentucky native Steve Flairty is a teacher, public speaker and an author of six books: a biography of Kentucky Afield host Tim Farmer and five in the Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes series, including a kids’ version. His new book, “Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes #4,” has recently been released and is available for purchase here. Steve is a senior correspondent for Kentucky Monthly, as well as a weekly KyForward and NKyTribune columnist and a member of the Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. Read his past columns for excerpts from all his books. him at sflairty2001@yahoo.com or friend him on Facebook. (Steve’s photo by Connie McDonald)