Heading West: Life with the Pioneers, 21 Activities (For Kids series)
This clearly written account of the westward movement in American history begins in the 1700s, when “west” simply meant the far side of the Appalachians, and follows through the end of the 1800s pioneer era. Discussing topics such as wagon trains, pioneer homes, and community life, McCarthy provides plenty of detailed, specific information about clearing land and building houses (dugouts, soddies, and log cabins). She quotes whole paragraphs from the personal accounts of the settlers, an approach that is particularly effective in the chapter on pioneer children. Illustrated with line drawings, the activities include making a clothespin doll, a local history poster contrasting then and now, and apple butter (in a microwave oven). The text is illustrated with many sepia-toned reproductions of period photos, paintings, drawings, prints, artifacts, and sites. Though no source notes are provided, even for quotes, the book provides lists of recommended Internet sites and books. An information-packed resource for history students and their teachers. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan