All We Left Behind: Virginia Reed and the Donner Party

by Nancy Herman

It is 1846, and thirteen-year-old Virginia Reed is pioneering two-thousand miles from Illinois to California with her parents, younger sister and brother, and the Donner family. She’s proud to ride ahead of the wagon train each day beside her beloved father, James.

But enthusiasm turns to alarm when her father and other party leaders make decisions that put the families dangerously behind schedule. Provisions dwindle. Hardships mount. Anger erupts. In a frantic effort to reach California before winter, the Donner Party takes an untried shortcut, with heartbreaking results.

Virginia painfully realizes the fallibility of the adults in her life and begins to rely on her own judgment. When the party becomes trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains by early snows, she must find the courage to defy her father in order to save the rest of her family.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Book Club, Fiction

225 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2013

About the author

Nancy Herman is a third-generation Californian who is fascinated with her state’s colorful history, including the westward migration of the 1800s. She grew up in the coastal town of Watsonville and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from San Jose State University. After her 25-year career as a Silicon Valley marketing communications professional, Nancy began researching and writing her first historical novel.

“I drew my facts from diaries, letters, and first hand accounts, including Virginia’s memoirs,” she says. “Research turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of writing this book. Another was following the Donner Party’s route by automobile from Independence, Missouri to Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento, California.

“I’m in awe of the toughness and determination of our California ancestors who crossed two-thousand miles or more by wagon, on horseback, and even by foot to start new lives here.”

Nancy lives with her husband Tom in the Sierra foothills, not far from the site of the Donner Party’s 1846-1847 winter entrapment.

Reviews

[Rosi Hollinbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

All We Left Behind: Virginia Reed and the Donner Party is a story that many of us feel is familiar, but Nancy Herman tells the story in a way unlike any accounting I've ever read. Virginia Reed was thirteen years old in 1846 when her family and the Donner family left Illinois on what they thought would be the adventure of a lifetime. The state of California offered free land, a healthy environment, and a chance for a new, fresh start. It is not an easy journey, but hope for the future carries them all along. But the leaders, including Virginia's father, make questionable decisions about the route to take. When they realize time is short to make it over the Sierra Madre mountains before winter, they make the decision to use an untried shortcut, a decision that changes hope to horror.

The story is told in the pitch-perfect voice of Virginia. We ride along with her on the journey and grow up with her in this extraordinary time in her life. This is not just a story, it is a coming-of-age story like few others. Virginia Reed was a real person and through exceptional and thorough research, Nancy brings her to life to tell her own story. I believe this book should be in every middle- and high-school classroom and library where the study of this period occurs. This is not to be missed.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all think we know what happened to the Donner-Reed Party. This book tells the story from the point of view of 13 year old Virginia (Puss) Reed. It is very well researched and written perfectly so that an elementary student learning about pioneers could easily read and understand. The book details the everyday occurrences that happened along the trail with vividness. The reader can begin to understand how little mistakes can add to up a huge consequence. I was a bit nervous about how the book would address the winter that they were snowed in, but the book did a great job of addressing what happened without going into details that would disturb a young reader.

I received a copy through GoodReads First Reads.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would categorize "All We Left Behind" as YA fiction because this story is told from the perspective of 13-year-old Virginia (Puss) Reed. Virginia and her family were among those traveling with the Donner Party when they made the critic error of going through the Hastings Cutoff.

This was an easy read and although the language wasn't incredibly detailed, the story becomes quite moving when the families are trapped at Truckee Lake. It was easy to imagine just how close to death Virginia and her siblings were. I really enjoyed the the author's note at the end.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful historical novel for middle grade and young adult readers - and for adults! It is an account of the Donner Party's harrowing trip from Missouri to California as seen through the eyes of 13-year-old Virginia Reed. The writing is excellent and the characters come alive. You feel the suffering and pain, the love among family members and friends, and the conflicts that develop. Although I knew the basic story of the Donner Party, which was stuck in the Sierra Nevada mountains for a snowy winter, I never understood all that happened along the way. It is a sad, yet inspiring, story.

[Jim Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really compelling story in which the author captures the voice of the young female narrator perfectly. It is well written and well researched. The emphasis on the difficulties in the earlier stages of the cross country trek were a revelation to me and I appreciated the fewer pages devoted to the horrific winter with which we are more familiar.

[Taylor Fenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

RtC!

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic historical fiction. I was at Sutter's Fort in the gift shop when I found this book. If you are interested in historical fiction and specifically want to know more about the Donner Party, I highly recommend this book.

[Barb Probert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in the mail and proceeded to read it until I had finished late that night. This book was one of those "I can't put it down" books and I even called for Chinese delivery so I didn't have to take time out to cook. The book is very well written and it seems the author really did her research. She even lives close to Donner Pass. The characters were well developed and I thought of them for days after reading the book. I can't wait for her next book!

[Sarah Sherrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free when I won it in the Goodreads giveaway.
I love history and am new to really studying the story of the Donner party and their tragic tale. Having said that, I love the way the author took the history and created this story of a brave young girl and the hardships she has to face during this time. This book was well written and flowed nicely.
I truly appreciate the ability to read and review this book!

[Suellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of Jess Walter’s novel “Beautiful Ruins” referred to The Donner Party story. It interested me enough to pick up this book so I can learn more.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. This was not what I expected, but I enjoyed it. It was a gripping story about a disastrous journey from Illinois to California in the 1800s, and while the infamous thing everyone knows about the Donner Party is not as big a part of the book as I had thought it would be, I wasn't disappointed because I was pleasantly surprised about everything else.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good rendition of the story of the Reeds and the Donner party that is appropriate for high school reading lists for certain. I found it to be sympathetic without obscuring the truth. You get the picture of the tragedy, while also the many mistakes that were made by several parties.

[Virginia H · Rating 5 out of 5]

such amazing bravery

A story about families doing something extraordinary and surviving to tell the tell. The party of incredibly brave people faced unimaginable horrors and disappointments but did their utmost to survive.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look into the Donner Party experience.

[Wendopolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent for a younger reader

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read I borrowed this book from my mom, after hearing her tell of how good it was. I must admit that I could not put this book down. Such a great read the story is told through the eyes of Virginia Reed, who is thirteen when her family pack's up from Illinois and heads to California. From the Beginning bad decision's are made about the right Path's to follow along the trail. Following a book called "The Emigrants Guide To Oregon and California" Written by a man named Lansford Hasting's, who had never actually been to California or followed some of the Trails he outlined in his book. So the Donner Party set's out on a false Trail, that is suppose to Save time and provide their animal's with more water and grass. Only to have to abandon all and Fight everyday to Survive. A must read for all and especially for our Young people.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Goodreads for awarding me a copy of this book. I enjoyed reading the book and can't imagine the hardship these pioneers faced on their westward travel.

This is a fictional account of the Reed family’s travel from Springfield, Missouri to California where they were stranded at Truckee Lake for several weeks due to deep snows. The characters in the book were real and the book was based on their letters and other correspondence. Mrs. Herman did an excellent job with bringing the story to life.

[Sandy Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy yet difficult reading...

Easy as aimed at a younger reader this version of the journey west by the Donner Party is told based on letters written by Virginia Reed. The joy, pain, and suffering is shared without graphic detail we all know anyway.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good book for middle school students. It is interesting and engaging and teaches perseverance and hope.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, easy to read. Kept me reading the whole book in 2 days. Great for ages 12 and up.


I received a copy from Goodreads.

[Amber Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hot this book from goodreads. I enjoyed this book very much. This book can be read from many age groups such as early as 13+. I would recommend giving this book a chance.

[Sydney]

good read it all long time ago