Westward Expansion: An Interactive History Adventure

by Allison Lassieur

Westward An Interactive History Adventure by Lassieur. Capstone Press,2008

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Adventure, Education, Childrens, Middle Grade

112 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2008

About the author

A professional freelance author who began her career in publishing as an avid D&D player, Lassieur worked for thirteen years in the publishing industry as an editor for magazines such as Disney Adventures and Highlights for Children.

She's edited game products for TSR, West End Games, and Sierra Online. In addition, she has more than two dozen nonfiction children's books to her credit and has contributed to such magazines as National Geographic World and Scholastic News.

Lassieur lives and works in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Anthony Colocho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good choose your own path book because this book has a lot of different choices and paths to choose and its a good way too learn history.

[Courtney Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book you can choose your path. In one of the paths that I took I was a Lakota warrior. This character was brave and stuck up for what he believed in. In one of the paths that I took the settlers were killing all of the Lakota's game and the character that I had wanted to fight for there rights.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was, obviously, very similar to The Oregon Trail interactive book. A slightly different take though and quite enjoyable. I like that there was a storyline wherein I got to make choices as though I was a member of the Lakota. The other storylines were a person going out west to work as either a cowboy or on the railroad and a settler. This ended up being a good companion book to The Oregon Trail book.

[Maureen Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

These You Choose books have been a great way for my 10 year old and I to learn history this year.
I love that they don’t tell just one side of the story, but they tell it from the different perspectives.
This book tells the story of the westward expansion from the point of view of the white settlers, but also from the perspective of the Native American Indian. I wish I had learned like this.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book for a week. It was a great way to study history from many different points of view. I appreciated how the reality of life at that time was clearly presented in an age-appropriate way.

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

A choose your own adventure novel with an historical twist. Readers can take the part of a person traveling along the Oregon Trail, a laborer or a Siox Warrior. I read this aloud with my family on our road trip to Oregon this summer, and we all really enjoyed it!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, you can take one of three perspectives: pioneer, Confederate veteran, or Native American.
This reminds me of the CYOA I first read as a kid. I bought this for my 4th graders, and I think they will enjoy reading about history this way. I read all the adventure options.

[Norma Coder]

A book I wouldn't usually read. Liked the choices to read. Ended up reading all of them/reading the entire book.

[Kristine Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, different approach to incorporating nonfiction into the educational experience. There are three main different routes to take -- a pioneer on the Oregon Trail, a Civil War vet looking for work in the West, or a Sioux warrior. Best for those who want or need to know more about the topic but not those in need of references for reports.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, different approach to incorporating nonfiction into the educational experience. There are three main different routes to take -- a pioneer on the Oregon Trail, a Civil War vet looking for work in the West, or a Sioux warrior. Best for those who want or need to know more about the topic but not those in need of references for reports.

[Daisy Rey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this "choose your own adventure" book, I was dead within 3 pages, but the second - fifth times, I really enjoyed the historical perspective. This is a very engaging way to learn about history.

[Becky Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choose what happens to the real people. You can choose what you do next

[Christa Pettis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan read all 19 endings and really enjoyed this book. From moms view, I was slightly dismayed that he read all 19 endings in two sittings. I can't keep enough books in the house!

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be a pioneer with your book father. Be a lokata warior who died for women and children. Be somewhere that you missed out on years ago!
To be or to not to be that is the question.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids enjoyed this as they were able to see different outcomes to their decisions.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these books but this one i didn't like as much as the other books. This was still a good book but not the best. I like it because when you die in the book you don't just read it once you read it over and over again and it dosen't get boring.