JUNIA, THE BOOK MULE OF TROUBLESOME CREEK

A tale of bringing a very valuable commodity to people in the Kentucky hills.

During the Great Depression, Junia the mule and her “Book Woman” carry precious cargo to the residents of remote areas in the eastern Kentucky hills. Folks here have no access to reading materials, except for those delivered by “Pack Horse librarians,” like the one in this story, set in 1936. The two make a stalwart team, starting their rounds before dawn, traversing difficult terrain in all weather, and finishing after dark. Every month they travel “hundreds of miles to drop off thousands of reading requests.” Narrator Junia describes a day’s adventure: The duo encounter a menacing rattlesnake, ford waterways, and narrowly escape disaster when a rickety bridge collapses into a creek before they cross it. They’ve formed warm bonds with their patrons; Book Woman knows their reading preferences perfectly and tailors her collections to meet their needs. This is a warm, heartfelt, and humorous tale; readers who regularly visit school and public libraries will marvel that such librarians once existed (an author’s note offers background on the real-life Kentucky Pack Horse librarians). The colorful illustrations capture the cozy spirit and feel of the rural setting and residents. Junia’s a delight; kids would love to meet her on their next library trip. The “Book Woman” presents white; there’s diversity among the background characters.

It’s heartening to learn that books and libraries—no matter their form—have always prevailed.