Stories of Young Pioneers: In Their Own Words
Gr. 6-9. This lengthy, thorough book relies on diaries and memoirs to bring to life the experience of traveling westward in the mid-nineteenth century. The trip was arduous, but also adventurous, and as Kimball examines the experience, facet by facet, readers will begin to sense what an amazing feat moving west really was. About half the travelers were under 18, and it is their youthful memories that tell the story--though many of the actual accounts were written when the participants were much older. Kimball organizes her material around a series of logical topics: preparing for the trip; life on the trail; danger and disease; encounters with Native Americans; and settling down, to name a few. She also addresses pioneer prejudices against Native Americans and maintains that during the time these trails were widely used, most Indians were friendly. Though not a title young people are likely to read on their own, this can provide valuable curriculum support, and history teachers may find that selected details can spark a lively lesson. Extensive bibliography included.Denise WilmsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved