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Ranger in Time #1
Rescue on the Oregon Trail
Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!
Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!
Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
311 people are currently reading
2104 people want to read
About the author
Kate Messner
131 books1,649 followersKate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
July 7, 2015
First off, let me say my rating is probably closer to 3 1/2 stars-- this book has a lot going for it. Kate Messner's first book in the Ranger in Time Series, Rescue on the Oregon Trail, introduces us to Ranger-- a dog trained for search and rescue work who can't quite pass the tests required to become an "official" SAR dog (because he gets distracted chasing squirrels). Early in the book, Ranger is digging in his yard when he digs up an old metal first aid kit. When the kit's strap passes over his head and around his neck, Ranger is immediately transported back in time and space to the year 1850 in Independence, Missouri-- one of the locations known as a jumping-off point for those preparing to venture into the western territories. Ranger ends up traveling with the Abbott family and Sam--who becomes Ranger's good friend. Along the way, readers "experience" events that commonly occurred as pioneers made their way across the trails of the west on their way to Utah, California, and Oregon.
This book is an excellent historical fiction novel for young readers. Messner has done extraordinary research to ensure that her facts are accurate, and many plot details are adapted from real events recorded in journals and diaries by those who make the trek west in the mid 1800s. Messner also does a good job of making the book appropriate for her audience. There aren't lots of good books for primary or early middle grade students addressing historical events and issues. My biggest complaint about this book-- and it is a picky one-- is that I never really understood how the first aid kit made Ranger travel. I also couldn't understand why he didn't immediately travel back if he had the kit around his neck. I guess I'll chalk these concerns up to the fact that I teach gifted/talented kids who question everything, and I can just imagine the discussions on this one.
January 15, 2018
I love how I can pronounce every word. It would be a good read-out-loud book. I love Ranger. He's such a charmer. I'm so happy Ranger found his way home. The leason in this book is one everyone should know. I like that there's some pictures in the book. It helps the reader understand whats going on. It's all about family and love. That's something everyone should know.
March 9, 2021
Fun series. Time traveling dog. Learn some history. My kids like it.
November 26, 2016
A great series to introduce young readers to not only chapter books, but also to historical fiction. Who doesn't love a story about a dog who rescues people? Not me. If a book has a dog in it, then I want to read it. It's also one of our OBOB selections (Oregon Battle of the Books) for grades 3-5 this year. My adult kid's book group (adults who read kid's books, made up of teachers and librarians) chose it as one of our books to read this month. I was only going to read this first book in the series, but now I'm curious and want to read the rest to find out where the first aid kit that Ranger digs up came from, and how it got there in the first place. And of course why it has those magical time traveling properties.
March 15, 2017
A dog who travels through time and saves people--what child could ask for more? Messner is a gifted writer for mid to upper elementary readers and has written several books that I recommend highly to my library patrons. This one is a light, easy read for grades 3-6 and will leave them feeling satisfied and likely to reach for additional books in the series, which does not have to be read in order. Social studies teachers will appreciate the historical backdrop and accurate depiction of the time period featured and readers will be unaware of all that they are learning while following golden retriever Ranger into various places and times saving the day. The only reason for the 4 star review rather than five was due to the fairly predictable pace in the book, but many young readers will appreciate the fact that the storyline does not twist and turn its way to a conclusion.
May 14, 2024
I was just laying in bed one night bored and decided I felt like reading this book 😅so I read it and it was a good book 😁
March 5, 2020
ADORABLE.
god it's so cute
Okay okay, seriously: this is an adorable middle-grade book about a search n' rescue dog named Ranger who gets a magic first aid kit that sends him back in time. This time he goes to the Oregon Trail and spends most of the book helping a family survive the trail.
He's written as a dog - he wants food, he wants family, he wants to sleep. And here's why it's got three stars instead of five: while it's adorable and has great artwork, it's very light. And I'm not the target audience at all. It's detailed like... I mean, this is a book for 2nd-4th graders. So it's as detailed as a pamphlet, and the disasters are relatively simple, often contrived so Ranger can help out.
Which is to say, for what it is I guess it's five stars? But this is my shelf, so it can have three stars and just be cute but too light for my tastes. I might look for the sequel, and I wish I'd read it when I was young.
Either way: Ranger is a VERY GOOD BOY
god it's so cute
Okay okay, seriously: this is an adorable middle-grade book about a search n' rescue dog named Ranger who gets a magic first aid kit that sends him back in time. This time he goes to the Oregon Trail and spends most of the book helping a family survive the trail.
He's written as a dog - he wants food, he wants family, he wants to sleep. And here's why it's got three stars instead of five: while it's adorable and has great artwork, it's very light. And I'm not the target audience at all. It's detailed like... I mean, this is a book for 2nd-4th graders. So it's as detailed as a pamphlet, and the disasters are relatively simple, often contrived so Ranger can help out.
Which is to say, for what it is I guess it's five stars? But this is my shelf, so it can have three stars and just be cute but too light for my tastes. I might look for the sequel, and I wish I'd read it when I was young.
Either way: Ranger is a VERY GOOD BOY
October 13, 2022
This book is well-paced and entertaining, setting a great pace for the rest of the series. Although it's the first book, I read them all out of order and didn't miss out on anything. The series premise gets adequately explained in the framing device of each story, and even though I had hoped for more information in this book about how the time travel aspect worked, there was none.
This story will appeal to kids who enjoy pioneer stories, and it addresses the challenges of traveling the Oregon Trail without being too grim or upsetting for sensitive kids. The historical note shares additional information, and also adds more context about indigenous peoples affected by settlers moving out West.
This story will appeal to kids who enjoy pioneer stories, and it addresses the challenges of traveling the Oregon Trail without being too grim or upsetting for sensitive kids. The historical note shares additional information, and also adds more context about indigenous peoples affected by settlers moving out West.
January 2, 2015
This is a fantastic new series for young historical fiction readers. I am really excited to share this series!
January 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I love dogs and historical fiction, so this series immediately appealed to me. Kate Messner really captured the dog's thoughts and behaviors in a believable way. Any dog parent can probably tell you how much canines adore bacon, so Ranger's constant excitement over that particular food seemed spot-on to me. His thoughts on how to get his human companion up and adventuring again also reminded me of my own dog: "Ranger did not want to take a break. He thumped his paws on Sam's chest, knocked him over, and licked him all over his face. That usually got Luke moving again when he was tired." (p. 76)
But his more serious thoughts were accurate too. I loved this paragraph: "Ranger stayed too, curled up next to Sarah by the campfire. He leaned his big, warm body against her. Ranger understood sad. He remembered when Luke and Sadie's grandmother had died, and everyone cried. He understood there wasn't much you could do about sad. But snuggling sometimes helped a little, so that's what Ranger did." (p. 55)
Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style. Not only is the dog awesome, but the story is exciting! And it's a quick read. I really think kids will enjoy this one, especially those interested in history, survival stories, or dogs. Plus, there's a thorough author's note in the back as well, which I always appreciate in historical fiction.
If the rest of the books in the series are as good as this one, it will be a real winner in my library.
But his more serious thoughts were accurate too. I loved this paragraph: "Ranger stayed too, curled up next to Sarah by the campfire. He leaned his big, warm body against her. Ranger understood sad. He remembered when Luke and Sadie's grandmother had died, and everyone cried. He understood there wasn't much you could do about sad. But snuggling sometimes helped a little, so that's what Ranger did." (p. 55)
Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style. Not only is the dog awesome, but the story is exciting! And it's a quick read. I really think kids will enjoy this one, especially those interested in history, survival stories, or dogs. Plus, there's a thorough author's note in the back as well, which I always appreciate in historical fiction.
If the rest of the books in the series are as good as this one, it will be a real winner in my library.
May 31, 2020
"Ranger understood sad. He remembered when Luke and Sadie's grandmother had died, and everyone cried. He understood there wasn't much you could do about sad. But snuggling sometimes helped a little, so that’s what Ranger did."
Love this relatable text. But my questions about time travel in this universe are unanswered — don't want to spoil by quoting it, but the last sentence calls my assumption that it is linear into question. Ranger seems to be traveling back in time from the same home base (in Narnia style, no time seems to have passed when he "returns" from his adventures), but it's unclear whether those adventures are taking place in an alternate timeline or in this one. Again, just that one ambiguous last line has got me thinking. Perhaps I will learn more later in the series.
Love this relatable text. But my questions about time travel in this universe are unanswered — don't want to spoil by quoting it, but the last sentence calls my assumption that it is linear into question. Ranger seems to be traveling back in time from the same home base (in Narnia style, no time seems to have passed when he "returns" from his adventures), but it's unclear whether those adventures are taking place in an alternate timeline or in this one. Again, just that one ambiguous last line has got me thinking. Perhaps I will learn more later in the series.
November 9, 2024
Read this book to my class of 3rd graders, and got a handful of them hooked on this series! It had elements similar to I Survived series, Magic Tree House, and the main character is a Golden Retriever. Great way to get kids into historical fiction.
We live in the direct pathway of where the Oregon Trail was, so students were able to make connections to our local geography and history. Also, ask your Gen Alpha when the Oregon Trail was… their concept of time will make you feel old. 😇
Personal note, not sure why I’ve never tracked my class chapter book read-aloud on Goodreads before, but I should!
We live in the direct pathway of where the Oregon Trail was, so students were able to make connections to our local geography and history. Also, ask your Gen Alpha when the Oregon Trail was… their concept of time will make you feel old. 😇
Personal note, not sure why I’ve never tracked my class chapter book read-aloud on Goodreads before, but I should!
September 24, 2021
~ All School Book Club selection read aloud with Liam and James~
A time-traveling golden retriever? Love it! As I read this short novel to my twins, I found that I really enjoyed meeting Ranger, a search and rescue dog from the future. Ranger finds himself needed on the Oregon Trail as Sam and his family encounter all kinds of life-threatening challenges on their journey westward. Even though this series is probably best suited for grades 2-3, Liam expressed interest in reading more about Ranger's adventures in other historical times.
This is our last All School Book Club book as it's the boys' last year in elementary school. I have enjoyed reading these books to them all these years. It's a little bittersweet for me.
A time-traveling golden retriever? Love it! As I read this short novel to my twins, I found that I really enjoyed meeting Ranger, a search and rescue dog from the future. Ranger finds himself needed on the Oregon Trail as Sam and his family encounter all kinds of life-threatening challenges on their journey westward. Even though this series is probably best suited for grades 2-3, Liam expressed interest in reading more about Ranger's adventures in other historical times.
This is our last All School Book Club book as it's the boys' last year in elementary school. I have enjoyed reading these books to them all these years. It's a little bittersweet for me.
January 14, 2022
A great kids' read. Somehow sweet, yet it doesn't shy away from difficult topics, such as moving, hardship, death, and loss. Messner does a great job here. (+ an Author's Note in the back with more historical information on the Oregon Trail.)
The Oregon Trail was dangerous and bleak. :( I love how a book about a protective and loyal dog will introduce this period/event to kids.
I loved that Ranger made sure there was another dog to take care of Sam before he returned home. <3
And I especially loved this line on pg. 7 re: moving: Pa said it was all right to be sad. "But your heart has room to love more than one place," he promised.
4.5 stars
The Oregon Trail was dangerous and bleak. :( I love how a book about a protective and loyal dog will introduce this period/event to kids.
I loved that Ranger made sure there was another dog to take care of Sam before he returned home. <3
And I especially loved this line on pg. 7 re: moving: Pa said it was all right to be sad. "But your heart has room to love more than one place," he promised.
4.5 stars
June 27, 2020
I think this is a super cute entry-level chapter book. The plot is fast-moving but not insipid, the pictures are cute and the storyline is engaging. A time-traveling Golden Retriever! What more can you want? And most importantly- the dog doesn't die- and added bonus since so much of children's literature seems to always throw in animal death. So perfect for even sensitive readers.
May 13, 2025
My 7yo son and I read this together and we highly recommend it! My son loves stories with an animal as the lead character and we just so happen to be studying the Oregon Trail during our history lesson in his homeschooling. So it was cool to read this story alongside our history lesson. It stayed true to how life actually was during that time!
January 8, 2019
Really enjoyed reading this to my kids! It’s like a mix of Magic Tree House and the I Survived series. Great historical content in an adventurous dog rescuer story line - what’s not to love!?! Looking forward to reading more of this series.
March 2, 2018
One of the best books in the series.
Read
December 2, 2018Read with one of my reading groups
April 25, 2020
Read aloud for patrons to listen to as a virtual program during COVID-19. Really enjoyed it and feedback from the kids was that the did as well!
September 8, 2020
Great books for imagination ☺️ Suggested to read even if you are an adult 🙂
September 19, 2025
Checking out this series for my kids. Seems like a good storyline.
December 30, 2020
A quick historical fiction/ time-travel book. Great read for kids around 8-12 years old.
November 29, 2023
Rating by my 8 year old
January 5, 2025
Ranger is the hero we all need.
July 7, 2025
Family Favorite
January 25, 2021
Another book that I liked, but I know that a certain group of students I am currently working with will love. Similar to the Time Dogs series, this one involves a Time Traveling Dog that explores different historical events.
July 31, 2023
Fun little historical fiction book for early readers.
December 10, 2020
This book has a great lesson for kids. It's about love and family and Ranger's journey making it back home. I love books about animals, this one promotes imagination with a real storyline. It's more of a book for adolescents but I think young adults would enjoy it too. I highly recommend!
January 9, 2024
A good book for an emergent reader. Not painful to read like some similar reading level books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews