New Hope

I ran across this book at the library a few days ago, and discovered a little treasure in the process. The book is called New Hope, written and illustrated by Henri Sorensen, published in 1995. It's the story of Jimmy, who asks his grandfather about a statue in the local park. His grandfather relates the story of Lars Jensen, a Danish immigrant who arrived by boat in New York, took a train to Minnesota, and then started a trip by covered wagon. However, an axle on the wagon broke down and the family settled at that spot (how many other homesteads were selected in the same manner?). Soon a village grew nearby, and the city of New Hope had its start. By the way, Lars is Jimmy's great-great-great grandfather. It could be used in a primary unit on pioneers or Minnesota history.