Janet M. Dann Livres

Fourth in The Good neighbors Series, Measuring Up follows characters from the first three books to Wyoming. In 1934 at the height of the Depression, New York Times reporter, David Epstein, brings his wife, Rebecca, and their two pre-teen children, Deborah and Daniel, to the Dacia’s (Romanian immigrants) farm in South Dakota. From there they will travel with the Dacias, and neighbor, Fritz Wagner, to the Black Hills of South Dakota and on to Wyoming for Fritz’s wedding to Flora Doyle of the Lucky D Ranch.Concerns about New Yorkers fitting in with cowboys are overshadowed by the forces of nature when both a flash flood and a fire impact the visitors. A two day ranch rodeo, a death, the wedding, and the Fourth of July make an action-packed week with even Will Rogers and Wylie Post dropping in.But Wyoming isn’t the only place with things astir. Back in Centerford, South Dakota, Fritz’s brother, singing star August Wagner, is caught in a con which risks the loss of a special member of the family, his wife, Marie’s Appaloosa horse, Sky, as well as his paycheck and savings.Everyone faces a challenge, whether from New York, South Dakota, or Wyoming. And everyone will find out if they can measure up.

First volume in the Good Neighbor Series, Fate Be Damned, introduces the Dacias, a Romanian family who left all they know behind seeking a new life of hope and prosperity. They seek it in the fabled place of dreams, America. Josif Dacia must challenge Romanian beliefs of fate and claim the American spirit of self-determination. However, The Depression and lethal bigotry cause Josif to doubt his decision.As sharecroppers in Oklahoma, the Dacias must leave when the landowner sells out and heads for California. This is the promised land for farmers in the struggling center of the country. However, it lies across hundreds of miles of desert. Having no transportation but their horses, the Dacias drive their team and wagon north, away from the Dust Bowl. Josif's determination and strength lead the family through many hardships to their new home: a farm in South Dakota. A farm not only for rent, but with an option to buy.However, nothing is guaranteed; nothing is easy. The Dacias are forced to contend with Chicago mobsters who set up a huge still on a neighboring farm. The family is attacked and harassed, but finds strength within itself and most of their neighbors. At last they claim the fruits of their struggles: their own land, a future, and hope.