DAKOTA IN THE MORNING

Nicely and often affectingly done, this story of a boy growing up, and simultaneously of the Dakota territory community to which his family came. The town, Lancaster, was part of the land tract opened up in the '80's, when Bud was seven, Through his consistently curious, eager (if not always understanding) eyes, the growth of the town unfolds. The railroad is put through -- people move in -- Bud's father builds a house -- preoccupations of chores, enterprises, the fulfillment of his one great wish to own a pony -- and the loss of first one, then another -- these incidents pace the unfolding of his story, which ends as he is almost grown up. Quiet, genuine Americana.