The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

Eben McAllister longs to explore beyond his small town after reading a book about the seven wonders of the world. His father challenges him to find seven wonders of Sassafras Springs; if he can, his father will buy him a train ticket to visit relatives in Colorado. Eben doubts he can find anything as grand as a pyramid or hanging gardens in little Sassafras Springs. But he heads out to talk to townfolk and over the period of a week hears some very interesting stories about an applehead doll that saved a girl's life, a haunted table, a saw that makes music and a weaving loom that reveals a secret. Excellent for a read-aloud, very folksy storytelling.

One hot, boring, summer day, Eben (who thinks always of traveling away from Sassafras Springs) begins, instead, a journey of discovery.

Sometimes extraordinary things begin in ordinary places. A fancy-dancy butterfly starts out in a plain little cocoon. A great big apple tree grows from a tiny brown speck of a seed. And the Wonders started right on our own front porch on a hot summer night I would have forgotten on the spot if it hadn't been for what got started then and kept on going.

A little bit of wonderment in seeing a child's eyes opened to more of the world around him. A little bit of nostalgia for a simple, small-town story. Just an adorable, feel-good children's book.

I appreciated the idea of finding wonder where we are. It was great to see this child go and learn from the older folks in the community and to find something great from an outcast child. A quick read.

This was a sweet book that I will probably read to my little one somewhere down the line. I am not sure where I had heard about it - but I know it was on my check it out list for a while. There was a strong religious theme that ran through the book I was not expecting. Not that it was bad - just not expected - I think this is what makes me wonder where I had heard about the book.

Cute tale about discovering the wonders that surround you and being grateful for where you have been planted.

I loved this book. Easily my favorite Betty Birney story. Also, the only Betty Birney story I've ever read, so it doesn't have much to compete with. I never tried the Humphrey stories basically because they look like a hamster version of something that Beverly Cleary already wrote, which probably isn't a fair assessment, but oh well. I am not a fan of small class pet books. This, on the other hand, was one of those books that will change the reader's view on the world. I've read it a couple of times since then, and it never gets old. Great book.

Eben McAllister lives in the tiny town of Sassafras Springs, where nothing ever happens, and the folks are pretty boring. He longs to see the seven wonders of the world. When his father tells him that he'll let him spend a week with his aunt in Colorado if he can find seven wonders right there in Sassafras Springs, Eben sets out looking.
Within the novel are the myth-like tales that Eben gathers from people in town about their wonders. Each following the traditions of oral story telling.
Charmingly illustrated by Matt Phelan.

A feel-good story about finding wondrous things right at home in the middle of the familiar. Eben is itchy to go and see the world, especially after reading about the great wonders of the world. His father promises him a trip to see relatives in the mountains if he can find seven wonders in his home town. Nicely done, but perhaps will appeal more to adults than to kids.