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Swift Rivers facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Swift Rivers is an exciting historical novel written for children by Cornelia Meigs. It tells a story from the early days of the logging industry in America. The book was first published in 1931 and was recognized as a Newbery Honor book in 1933, which means it was one of the best children's books of that year.

About the Story

The adventure in Swift Rivers begins in 1835. The main character lives in what is now Minnesota. The story shows what life was like when people first started cutting down trees for wood. This was a big business back then.

Logging in the Past

In the 1830s, there were no big trucks or trains to move huge tree trunks. Instead, loggers used rivers. They would cut down trees and then float the logs down the Mississippi River. This process was called log driving. The logs traveled all the way down to cities like St. Louis, where they could be used to build houses and other things. The book gives readers a look into this important part of American history.

Who Made the Book?

The author, Cornelia Meigs, wrote the words for Swift Rivers. The book also has special pictures that help tell the story. These illustrations were created by an artist named Forrest W. Orr.

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