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Millbrook Press, 2009. 48 pages. Illustrated by Craig Orback Non-Fiction, Grades 2 through 4. ISBN 978-08225-7892-5 hardback |
ABOUT THIS BOOK:
Seventeen-year-old Moses was ready for an adventure. In 1844, he joined a wagon train traveling from Iowa to California. But as winter approached, the wagon train ran into trouble. Oxen started dying and supplies were running low. Some people went ahead for help. Moses stayed behind with the belongings. Can he find a way to survive on his own in the mountains during the long, cold winter?
REVIEWS/AWARDS:
"This is the story of [Moses Schallenberger's] winter of survival. The story is a compelling one: near starvation, Moses seeks solace in news and literature, and faces loneliness, fear, and boredom." BAY VIEWS, ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S LIBRARIANS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
"This volume from the On My Own History series offers independent readers a straightforward tale of rugged adventure and survival in the snowy area that, according to the appended historical note, challenged the Donner party just two years later. Told with concrete details that bring the experience to life and illustrated with dramatic narrative paintings, this book puts a human face on the sometimes-anonymous image of the pioneer and tells a tale of courage in the face of possible death from starvation or exposure." BOOKLIST
"Moses's struggle to survive on his own in the harsh environment of one of the 'snowiest places in the world' will engage new readers. . . . The story complements a unit on the Western Migration, giving students a glimpse of the personal side of this important historical event." - CHILDREN'S LITERATURE