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The Quilt Walk
It’s 1863 and 10-year-old Emmy Blue Hatchett has been told by her father that soon their family will leave their farm, family, and friends in Illinois, and travel west to a new home in Colorado. It’s difficult leaving family and friends behind. They might not see one another ever again. When Emmy’s grandmother comes to say goodbye, she gives Emmy a special gift to keep her occupied on the trip. The journey by wagon train is long and full of hardships. But the Hatchetts persevere and reach their destination in Colorado, ready to start their new life.
215 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
191 people are currently reading
1354 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Dallas
50 books1,904 followersAward-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.
While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.
Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/sandra...
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.
While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.
Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/sandra...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
May 26, 2019
Ten-year-old Emmy Blue hates learning to thread a needle more than anything. While her mother loves quilting as much as supper, Emmy would rather play with her doll Waxy, her cat, Skiddles and her friend Abigail. When Pa announces the family of three is going to Golden, Colorado to start a boom town for miners, Emmy is eager to go if it gets her out of quilting. She has no idea that Golden is so far trains don't run there and she'll likely never see her family or friends in Quincy, Illinois again. The conestoga wagon is packed full and there's no room for clothes except what they wear on their backs. It's hot and dirty along the trail and wearing all their dresses at once does not make Emmy's Ma feel well. Emmy enjoys the adventure but not the quilting her grandmother gave her. All the women on the trail walk and quilt along the way. It helps them feel connected to home and each other. Will Emmy manage to finish her little doll quilt? What adventures are in store for them?
I do not recommend this book for young readers. It takes many of the stereotypes of Little House on the Prairie and early women's history research and tosses them into this book. First, let's address the women. The men are almost all patriarchal authorities whose word is law. Women don't have much say and this causes Emmy to reflect to her doll that they better think a time before marrying. Emmy's Pa refuses to intervene when a husband is clearly beating his wife and too lazy to work hard along the trail. The women sit patiently, walk and quilt. Glenda Riley and others have refuted this stereotype. While Emmy's Ma is patient and dictated to, she does get in her say once in awhile. She goes along with her husband because she loves him. There's another woman who is shrewish and forces her husband to go back after a dangerous incident. This woman seems to be suffering from severe anxiety. To the author's credit, there is one kind and loving husband/father. Only one though.
Now, let's address the Indians. The Indians they meet along the trail are either beggars or noble savages who trade for what they want. This may be true in 1864 before the "west was won" but I didn't like the stereotyping. I REALLY REALLY hated the use of the word "red" to describe a human. That is NOT necessary to get the point across no matter how historically accurate. Yes the attitudes portrayed in this novel are historically accurate but they're still stereotypes and the language is still racist. In the 1930s when Laura Ingalls Wilder turned her memoir into her best selling children's novel, these stereotypes and racist language were still acceptable. Plus her novel is a lot more interesting and better written than this one.
I liked Emmy a lot because she loves dolls and animals but not sewing! She questions what her Pa says and does sometimes and learns to think for herself. However, I find it hard to believe that a child raised on a farm and one that was once a big sister, would not recognize fat Ma = baby. Has her cat never had kittens? No baby animals on her farm?
I rated this book 2 stars because I was curious where it was headed and the author avoided the common trope in Oregon Trail novels.
I do not recommend this book for young readers. It takes many of the stereotypes of Little House on the Prairie and early women's history research and tosses them into this book. First, let's address the women. The men are almost all patriarchal authorities whose word is law. Women don't have much say and this causes Emmy to reflect to her doll that they better think a time before marrying. Emmy's Pa refuses to intervene when a husband is clearly beating his wife and too lazy to work hard along the trail. The women sit patiently, walk and quilt. Glenda Riley and others have refuted this stereotype. While Emmy's Ma is patient and dictated to, she does get in her say once in awhile. She goes along with her husband because she loves him. There's another woman who is shrewish and forces her husband to go back after a dangerous incident. This woman seems to be suffering from severe anxiety. To the author's credit, there is one kind and loving husband/father. Only one though.
Now, let's address the Indians. The Indians they meet along the trail are either beggars or noble savages who trade for what they want. This may be true in 1864 before the "west was won" but I didn't like the stereotyping. I REALLY REALLY hated the use of the word "red" to describe a human. That is NOT necessary to get the point across no matter how historically accurate. Yes the attitudes portrayed in this novel are historically accurate but they're still stereotypes and the language is still racist. In the 1930s when Laura Ingalls Wilder turned her memoir into her best selling children's novel, these stereotypes and racist language were still acceptable. Plus her novel is a lot more interesting and better written than this one.
I liked Emmy a lot because she loves dolls and animals but not sewing! She questions what her Pa says and does sometimes and learns to think for herself. However, I find it hard to believe that a child raised on a farm and one that was once a big sister, would not recognize fat Ma = baby. Has her cat never had kittens? No baby animals on her farm?
I rated this book 2 stars because I was curious where it was headed and the author avoided the common trope in Oregon Trail novels.
July 22, 2013
A terrific five star historical read about the courage of a young girl, the sisterhood of women, and the power of quilting. A great tale to add to the western expansion canon.
June 1, 2024
I didn't like the book at the beginning, but it grew on me. I wasn't impressed with the bad attitude of the main character and the dominant role the husbands played in the book, or the quiet rebellion of the wives. As the book progressed I enjoyed it more and the ending was good. I'm not sure that I would recommend it to children. It would be best read with a parent who would guide and explain things as they went.
December 7, 2024
Starts gentle but builds to include the harsh realities of wagon trains
Traveling across the country in covered wagons in mid-1800s was difficult and dangerous. Some people died and some gave up and turned back. I liked that the book did not just repeat stereotypical situations like Indians attacking circled wagons. I was a little surprised at the significant amount of space given to the sub-plot of wife abuse, but on reflection I think it was better to include that instead of pretending such things didn’t happen.
Traveling across the country in covered wagons in mid-1800s was difficult and dangerous. Some people died and some gave up and turned back. I liked that the book did not just repeat stereotypical situations like Indians attacking circled wagons. I was a little surprised at the significant amount of space given to the sub-plot of wife abuse, but on reflection I think it was better to include that instead of pretending such things didn’t happen.
September 22, 2012
Full review at Cracking the Cover
“The Quilt Walk” is an understated book that has more to it than first meets the eye. Author Sandra Dallas allows her story to unfold through Emmy’s eyes. And there’s a lot to see. Like most children, Emmy is more observant than many would expect. During their trek, Emmy comes to see her parents and other adults in a new light. The issues women faced during this time period are not hidden, neither is the physical abuse a new bride suffers. It is important to note that these situations are handled carefully and sensitively, though some parents may feel the need for further dialogue.
Like her previous fictional books, Sandra’s first novel for young readers focuses on relationships at many levels. Themes of loyalty, friendship and perseverance appear in recognizable patterns within the large scope of this piece.
“The Quilt Walk” is a gentle read with moments of boldness. There’s nothing over the top or ultra fancy here. That’s why the book works so well. There’s no pretense, just the truth as Emmy and Sandra see it. Though fiction, one can easily place the emotions and experiences in history and know them to be true to the spirit of those who settled the West.
“The Quilt Walk” is an understated book that has more to it than first meets the eye. Author Sandra Dallas allows her story to unfold through Emmy’s eyes. And there’s a lot to see. Like most children, Emmy is more observant than many would expect. During their trek, Emmy comes to see her parents and other adults in a new light. The issues women faced during this time period are not hidden, neither is the physical abuse a new bride suffers. It is important to note that these situations are handled carefully and sensitively, though some parents may feel the need for further dialogue.
Like her previous fictional books, Sandra’s first novel for young readers focuses on relationships at many levels. Themes of loyalty, friendship and perseverance appear in recognizable patterns within the large scope of this piece.
“The Quilt Walk” is a gentle read with moments of boldness. There’s nothing over the top or ultra fancy here. That’s why the book works so well. There’s no pretense, just the truth as Emmy and Sandra see it. Though fiction, one can easily place the emotions and experiences in history and know them to be true to the spirit of those who settled the West.
February 24, 2013
When Emmy Blue’s father announces his plan to move his family to the mountains of Colorado, Emmy looks forward to the adventure. The Wild West sounds much more exciting than becoming a lady and learning to quilt. However, she learns that adventure also means sacrifice and hard work. After leaving friends, family, and her pet cat, Emmy starts a new life on the trail to Golden, Colorado.
On the wagon train, Emmy and her family experience hardships and strengthening experiences. They make friends and even some enemies in their journey to a new land. At the request of her grandmother, Emmy is forced to learn to quilt as she travels, but her quilting soon becomes soothing and a way to record memories. In her first children’s novel, Sandra Dallas gives a realistic and detailed view of wagon train life. She also tells an interesting story of a child finding her place in a new world.
I recommend it for 10 and up, because there is some discussion spouse abuse. Nothing is discussed in detail and it is age appropriate, but it can be a hard subject and might take a more mature reader to understand.
On the wagon train, Emmy and her family experience hardships and strengthening experiences. They make friends and even some enemies in their journey to a new land. At the request of her grandmother, Emmy is forced to learn to quilt as she travels, but her quilting soon becomes soothing and a way to record memories. In her first children’s novel, Sandra Dallas gives a realistic and detailed view of wagon train life. She also tells an interesting story of a child finding her place in a new world.
I recommend it for 10 and up, because there is some discussion spouse abuse. Nothing is discussed in detail and it is age appropriate, but it can be a hard subject and might take a more mature reader to understand.
January 4, 2017
Based on a true story of a family's move from Illinois to Golden, Colorado, this tale for children tells quite nicely the hardships of overland travel, the loneliness of the trail, and a girl's slow understanding of the way quilting binds together women as well as fabric.
August 1, 2018
Excellent middle grade novel with strong sense of place for Colorado. Touches on multiple issues of the century: gender roles and inequities, abuse, racism, stereotypes, but in a setting that is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school. Highly recommend to Colorado teachers or anyone studying women's roles in the gold and silver boons.
August 26, 2021
This book was very sweet and I liked some of the more difficult topics it covered... especially for a younger audience. It was a quick read, and even though the writing is geared towards a younger audience, that didn't take away from the story at all. Overall a great read for a bit of Colorado historical fiction.
December 29, 2020
My 6 and 7 year old and I loved this book and I read it at the same time that I read Centennial by James Michener. This book does deal with domestic abuse, which I wasn’t prepared for—and led to questions from my kids.
December 9, 2024
Great read for our elementary book club. Warning: some of the events are pretty abrupt, and there is some spousal abuse, death, etc. But it was age appropriate, reading about history for my 5th grader.
February 24, 2017
I like pioneer stories and thought this one was good and a great perspective from a young girl.
January 15, 2019
A very sweet little book by my favorite author. Even though it was meant for a younger reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 24, 2021
Have enjoyed all her other books,so decided to read this young adult version. Quick read,plan to pass on to a tween friend. I think historical fiction is a great way to get young ones to read.
January 7, 2023
I enjoyed the book. History of early Americans moving cross country in covered wagons.
May 10, 2017
Perhaps it is because of working on a quilt called the Prairie Queen but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book while I was quilting. This is the story of the Hatchett family as the pack up their wagons to head west to Golden, Colorado.
Emmy Blue learns to quilt as she walks along the wagon on the trail. Emmy Blue also learns the hardships of life on the prairie as the family makes their way to a new and better life.
Emmy Blue learns to quilt as she walks along the wagon on the trail. Emmy Blue also learns the hardships of life on the prairie as the family makes their way to a new and better life.
August 10, 2012
In the 1860s ten-year-old Emmy Blue Hatchett accompanies her father and mother as they leave their farm in Quincy, Illinois, for Golden, Colorado where he plans to establish businesses to supply the goldminers' needs. The journey is far from easy, even at the start as Emmy's mother and aunt must make difficult choices about what to take and what to leave behind. Although Emmy is excited about the adventure, she is also surprised at how dangerous the trip is, and how quickly luck can turn from good to bad. What makes this book unique and adds to its appeal is its strong feminist slant. Although Mrs. Hatchett dutifully follows her husband's wishes to head west, she always puts her foot down at various points and asserts her wishes. As Emmy and the rest of her party watch how the abusive, ill-tempered husband of Mrs. Bonner treats her--she constantly sports another bruise or sprain--they realize that they must find a way for her to escape. Throughout the story, Emmy works on piecing together the parts of a small quilt her grandmother gave her when she left Illinois, a task she hates at first, but comes to enjoy in some ways, while many of the other women work on their own quilts along the way. The idea of making something beautiful and filled with memories out of scraps of fabric is a powerful theme that is threaded throughout the storyline. While some of the adventures Emmy has over the course of the journey seem unlikely, there is still much here to engage readers. I wish the book had given a stronger sense of the passage of time as the settlers moved toward the Rockies. At times, it was hard for me to gauge how long all this was taking.
November 2, 2012
Ten-year-old Emmy Blue Hatchett and her family leave their Illinois farm and head for Colorado to establish businesses to supply the needs of Gold Rush hopefuls. The challenging journey forces difficult decisions on every family member, as they choose what to keep and what to leave behind, but Emmy is excited by the adventure and keenly observant as the story progresses. This book would be a fine companion volume to the Little House (Wilder) series. While Emmy is similar to scrappy Laura, her mother is reminiscent of Wilder’s “Ma” -- especially when she stubbornly wears every stitch of clothing she owns for hundreds of miles when her husband claims there is insufficient space for clothing and quilts to be packed in the wagon.
Emmy is a tom girl, so the trek allows her to test the boundaries of her bravery. There are Indians, and river crossings, and even death on the trail. Emmy must also bend to conformity. She must work on her quilt every day, help out with chores, and learn about the bonds formed by women of all ages. This is particularly evident when she demands justice for a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship.
The novel ends well, and readers can clearly see that Emmy will thrive in the Western frontier. They will also be clamoring for a sequel!
Emmy is a tom girl, so the trek allows her to test the boundaries of her bravery. There are Indians, and river crossings, and even death on the trail. Emmy must also bend to conformity. She must work on her quilt every day, help out with chores, and learn about the bonds formed by women of all ages. This is particularly evident when she demands justice for a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship.
The novel ends well, and readers can clearly see that Emmy will thrive in the Western frontier. They will also be clamoring for a sequel!
October 7, 2013
Set in 1864, this historical fiction novel tells the story of a family joining a wagon train to travel from east of the Mississippi (Quincy, IL) to Golden, CO during the Colorado gold rush. In pursuit of his dream to become a landlord for businesses catering to miners and prospectors, the father has taken the unusual step of going ahead to scout out opportunities and to prepare for the arrival of his family prior to undertaking the journey with them on the wagon train. However, the reason for their journey remains but a premise for the heart of the novel. Quilting is the unifying theme and the importance of this practical art form to the women of the time for socializing, storytelling, bonding and relaxation becomes readily apparent as the family prepares to leave home, struggles with the hardships of the trail, and settles into a new community at the end of the journey. Ostensibly the story of one family, the novel depicts the story of women in a variety of roles and diverse family circumstances. The heart of this novel centers on the roles and lives of women within the family structure of the period, how they deal with and affect change within the boundaries set for them when uprooted, and the role they play in building pioneering communities.
October 18, 2012
The Quilt Walk by Sandra Dallas is her first children's book. I'd recommend this book for any Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, or anyone who likes to read about pioneers and the gold rush. Emmy is a young girl who leaves Quincy, Il in 1864 with her parents and Aunt and Uncle for Golden, Colorado. Her father has spent a year out in Golden, and has returned with a plan to go into business as a builder. Reluctantly, her mother agrees to go, and they begin their journey in a covered wagon. Quilts are a major factor in the lives of Emmy's mother and Aunt, and they are a link to family and friends they leave behind. Emmy hates to quilt, but a gift of quilting materials from her Grandmother gives her an opportunity to quilt as she walks along the side of the wagon through the prairies--thus "The Quilt Walk".
This was a lovely little story about a young girl making huge changes in her life, appreciating her parents and the stability they provide, and a peek into the history of quilts and pioneer women. It makes you want to start quilting! It's also an adventure--going into the unknown with only a wagon full of possessions and an optimistic heart.
This was a lovely little story about a young girl making huge changes in her life, appreciating her parents and the stability they provide, and a peek into the history of quilts and pioneer women. It makes you want to start quilting! It's also an adventure--going into the unknown with only a wagon full of possessions and an optimistic heart.
April 19, 2020
When I got this book I had no idea it was a middle-grade age novel! Being a lover of Sandra Dallas books, I decided to read it any way! It was a good story but not as fine as her adult novels. Being an adult may have colored my opinion!!
February 22, 2013
I did not realize this is a book for ages 9 and up. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. It is a good book to teach young girls about maintaining a positive attitude. There is a woman in the story who is abused by her husband. The author makes it clear that this is not the way a marriage should be. The story is told from the point of few of the little girl who has a very healthy relationship with her mother, father and is open to making friends.
November 25, 2012
I have been waiting for Sandra Dallas to bring this story to younger readers and here it is! Just about every aspect in the journey to Colorado ring true to the 1860s except for a couple of modern expressions ("okay") and a real sense of the vast prairie landscape. Looking forward to including this with Colorado historical fiction for 4th graders and up.
January 23, 2019
I loved that this book was loosely based on an actual event. Sandra Dallas did a wonderful job making this story her own and the characters were so fun to read. Although this is geared towards a younger audience, I found myself really enjoying it. I would recommend this to anyone with a love for historical fiction.
November 25, 2018
Didn't realize it was for young adults till the end!!
Love this author and cannot get enough of her books! This book about the travel to the west captured my attention from beginning until the end! 5 stars!
Love this author and cannot get enough of her books! This book about the travel to the west captured my attention from beginning until the end! 5 stars!
June 30, 2012
The book was a very good story about a family traveling west in order to have a better start. The characters were very realistic and the obstacles they had to overcome were page turning.
March 23, 2013
A fabulous story that is so satisfying. I felt like I walked the prairies of Nebraska with Emma Blue and her family.
August 19, 2017
So comforting! What a great story. Ageless!
August 18, 2025
en year old Emily Blue Hatchett, is stunned with her father's announcement from her father that the family farm would be sold and and they would go to Golden, Colorado. Lately not liking sitting under the quilt frame and threading needles for the women. She was more of an explorer and a lover of the outdoors. Ok, she was ready to go to Golden in a wagon train but she wanted to take Skiddles Upset that she could not take him, she watched her mother's reaction to the news. Her mother's philosophy was to look for the good of things in a bad situation.
Her mother was shocked when her husband said no, there is no room in the wagon for clothes, you can only take the clothes on your back. Hmm, she took a literal solution to the problem and decided that she and Emily would wear all their dresses for the trip, one on top of each other. The seat on the wagon proven to be very uncomfortable because it was hard so often the women and children walked aside the slow moving oxen.
I have read another of Sandra Dallas's books for children, this is her first one. It is very loosely based on a family who moved by prairie schooler from the Midwest to Golden, Colorado. Some of the situations were similar to those in her later book.
Sandra Dallas veered from the original family story by adding a bad husband and father in the wagon train. He beat his wife for not obeying his will and neglected his children. I enjoyed reading about him because I am sure that abusive men existed back them, the sweet ending to his demise felt good but almost too good to be true.
Over all I did enjoy this book, especially since there was a bad character in the tale.
Her mother was shocked when her husband said no, there is no room in the wagon for clothes, you can only take the clothes on your back. Hmm, she took a literal solution to the problem and decided that she and Emily would wear all their dresses for the trip, one on top of each other. The seat on the wagon proven to be very uncomfortable because it was hard so often the women and children walked aside the slow moving oxen.
I have read another of Sandra Dallas's books for children, this is her first one. It is very loosely based on a family who moved by prairie schooler from the Midwest to Golden, Colorado. Some of the situations were similar to those in her later book.
Sandra Dallas veered from the original family story by adding a bad husband and father in the wagon train. He beat his wife for not obeying his will and neglected his children. I enjoyed reading about him because I am sure that abusive men existed back them, the sweet ending to his demise felt good but almost too good to be true.
Over all I did enjoy this book, especially since there was a bad character in the tale.
August 20, 2022
Not sure who recommended this book for me, but it was a sweet, easy read. Emmy Blue is a 10 year who is traveling with her parents from Illinois to the Colorado Territory to begin a new life. Much of the story reminded me of my own ancestors who traveled the Mormon Trail to the Salt Lake Valley. Emmy Blue learns to quilt from the pieces that her grandmother in Illinois cut for her and from her mother and aunt as she walks along the trail. By the end, she has sewn her own quilt for her doll.
The style was easy enough to read; however, I felt there were a couple of anachronistic moments, but not enough to stop reading. I struggled with how condescending Emmy's father was towards her mother's wants, how the mother was occasionally really gossipy about the father's dreams, and how a 10-year-old had no clue that her mother was expecting. There were some deeper adult themes (domestic abuse between another family and an accidental shooting).
I enjoyed the quilting moments, and will need to look up online the Walk to Golden quilt that the book was based on.
The style was easy enough to read; however, I felt there were a couple of anachronistic moments, but not enough to stop reading. I struggled with how condescending Emmy's father was towards her mother's wants, how the mother was occasionally really gossipy about the father's dreams, and how a 10-year-old had no clue that her mother was expecting. There were some deeper adult themes (domestic abuse between another family and an accidental shooting).
I enjoyed the quilting moments, and will need to look up online the Walk to Golden quilt that the book was based on.
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