A Time of Troubles


By Pieter Van Raven

Reading Level: Middle School, High School, Adult
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award
Publisher: Atheneum 1990

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The novel is appropriately grim and conveys the hopes and disillusionments of families migrating to California during the Depression. Van Raven's descriptions of such things as the labor of orange picking or the emptiness of the dusty and forlorn great plains are on target as is his telling of the disintergration of a father and son's relationship.


Award Key

Caldecott Medal

Most distinguished American picture book for children (annually).

Coretta Scott King Award

Distinguished books by authors and illustrators of African descent which promote an understanding and appreciation of the American dream (annually).

Golden Kite Award

Outstanding examples of text, illustration, fiction and nonfiction (four awards annually).

Newbery Medal

Most distinguished contribution to American literature for children (annually).

Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award

Outstanding work of historical fiction published by a U.S. publisher set in the New World.