305W: A Family Moves to the Country

When I was in grade school in the late 1950's, I read a book, possibly from the library Bookmobile, that was about a family who moved to the country. The main theme was the transition to an old, broken-down house and the arduous process of fixing it up to make it livable. The story is told, I believe, by a young son, probably about the age I was when I read (10 or 11) it. What started out as an unpleasant experience for the kids, at least, over time turned into an adventure as the DIY project progressed and the boy explored the surrounding area. Finally, the family was able to embrace the house as their new home and I think the son learned the value or hard work and the pride that comes from it. I know this is sketchy at best, but it's not easy to clean out the cobwebs of my memory that far back! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

8 thoughts on “305W: A Family Moves to the Country

  1. Janice Hall

    Could it be The Bobbsey Twins move to the Country? I beleieve it was a family with 2 sets of twins, and there were several books in the series.

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  2. Gretchen Wronka

    Possibly Elizabeth Enright’s 1961 title. Return to Gone-Away Lake. this is a sequel to Gone-Away Lake.

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  3. Chris

    This sounds like it could be The Ghost of Follonsbee’s Folly by Florence Hightower; copyright 1958. The dad has just bought a house in the country which needs huge repairs. The son Tom (who is 11 years old) is featured as he explores the land surrounding the house and he befriends a young black man who teaches him about nature. The house may (or may not) have a ghost!

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