Jenny of the Tetons (Great Episodes) Paperback – June 1, 2002

Gift, never saw the book but my granddaughter likes it.

Kristiana Gregory's fictional account of Carrie Hill, a teenage girl orphaned by an Indian attack on her wagon train heading for Oregon was a surprisingly good read. The book may be aimed at YA readers, but nevertheless I certainly enjoyed it. The title character of JENNY OF THE TETONS is an Indian (Native American) woman married to an 'Englishman,' Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh, who is a most resourceful hunter and trapper (as well as a loving husband and father). Dick and Jenny have five children and take on the teenage narrator, as a foster child/mother's helper. The book, presented in the form of a journal Carrie keeps, documents the seasonal moves and very gritty life of living in the wild mountains of Montana/Idaho/Wyoming in the 1870s. I was reminded a bit of the Little House stories, except Carrie's story is much more graphic, and the frontier life depicted is much harder than that of the Ingalls family. Daily life is plagued by the constant presence of mosquitoes, flies and yellow jackets, relieved only by campfire smoke. Deeply frigid winters and torridly hot bug-infested summers were part of everyday life, with other dangers as well, including marauding grizzly bears, brush fires and unfriendly Indian tribes. It's also a coming-of-age story as Carrie develops feelings for a handsome young carpenter who visits Dick's camp often from Fort Hall. JENNY OF THE TETONS is a little book. I found it at a local thrift store and read it in one afternoon. A rewarding read, thoroughly researched (based in part on the actual journals of Richard Leigh) and well-written. A window into every-day life of the American West in the time of the Little Big Horn. The 'blended' family aspect of a white-Indian mixed marriage makes the story even more interesting. I'll pass this along to some younger readers I know. Highly recommended.- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER

REVIEWCarie Hill's parents were killed in an Indian attack when she was only fifteen years old. This happened in the Idaho territory in 1875. Carrie goes to live with Beaver Dick who was an American explorer and his family. Jenny, Beaver Dick's wife, a Shoshone Indian and Carrie don't get along very well at first. As time goes by, Carries learns to respect Jenny. Carrie goes on lots of journeys while living with Beaver Dick and Jenny.Jenny and Carrie meet up with a grizzly and Jenny, with her expert aim, shoots the bear. This was the beginning of a friendship between Jenny and Carrie. Carrie falls inlove with Miles, an explorer working with Beaver Dick. They are married in 1877 in the spring. The next winter, Jenny takes in a sick Indian and her child and gets sick herself. It spreads to the rest of the family including Jenny and Beaver Dick's children. This is a fight for survival and they may not make it. If you love adventures, Indians and a woman, an Indian who is a hero to everyone then you are bound to like this book.This book came from my own bookshelf

My grandmother bought this book for me MANY years ago because we were visiting the Tetons and Jenny is my name. What a surprisingly great book! I read it first, though a bit young at the time for it as I was just starting to read nonpicture books, then my mom and grandma read it and we all very much liked it! I still have it and though it has a little dust it is still one of my most prised posessions. I LOVE THIS STORY!

My husband and i picked up this book while staying in the Grand Tetons Park at Jenny Lake during a long cross-country move. We took turns reading it aloud to each other as we drove East, and it was a fascinating story. It was a really hard time in the settling of the west, and Jenny's tale still haunts me.

This is Kristiana Gregory's (my all time favorite author) book, and naturally it was good because she wrote it. She has definitely improved a lot, but I found this story irresistably interesting. It's good for kids or adults so whoever you are, go out and get it!

This is an excellent book. I have now read it 6 times because I like it so much. The main character, Carrie Hill, is saved from an indian attack. She is told her whole family died. She goes to live with a man and his indian wife and children. She is angry about finding loving and caring people who are indians. She finally discovers how wonderful they are though and excepts them, and learns to love them with all her heart. This book is set in the beautiful Tetons. The plot, exposition, and everything in this book is absolutely wonderfully written. I quick but awesome read.

Carrie's family is ambushed by indians. She is put under the care of an englishman named Beaver Dick. To Carrie's horror she finds out Dicks wife is an Indian. Carrie instantly hates her. However thru time Dicks wife {jenny} displays such kindness and gentleness Carrie starts to feel love toward her and her kids. This historical tale is well written and is constantly interesting for kids and adults alike.Word of caution for sensative youngsters, This does not have a happy ending.