Along the Santa Fe Trail: Marion Russell's Own Story

by Ginger Wadsworth, Marion Sloan Russell, James Watling (Illustrator)

An adaptation of the author's biography, Land of Enchantment, describes her eventful 1852 journey with her mother and brother from Kansas to California over the Santa Fe trail in a large wagon train.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens

1 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Allison Volz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book I read because it is a part of a new ELA curriculum adoption. My worries about representations of Indigenous People in a book were confirmed on page 1.

This is how Indigenous People are described in this book (page numbers no give since it’s a picture book that’s not paginated):

“for some of the Indians were hostile along the Santa Fe Trail”

“we heard the war whoop of the Indians”

“Sometimes we were alarmed by the Indians”

“Two friendly Indians sat and played mumblety-peg on a spread blanket” (While this may be read as a positive portrayal, calling out the exceptional kindness of two positions others as not friendly which is problematic).

This book is adapted from the writings of Marion Russell about her experiences. It was published in 1993. It has several negative representation of Indigenous People and I am extremely disappointed that it is in a 5th grade ELA curriculum by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt used by schools across the country.

DO BETTER.

[Deborah Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

. This book is about Marion’s Russell’s first trip across the Santa Fe Trail. It tells of her adventures and the trials she and her family face. Not too many since this is a children’s book. I read this book because I have a friend who this is her Great Great Grandmother’s story.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be good to supplement to a lesson on the Santa Fe trail. It is not overly detailed and previous knowledge of what life was like on these trails is necessary. The details are adequate, but don't paint a full picture of what life was like then.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about one woman's account of life on the trail west. Good read aloud during a social studies unit.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for westward expansion in the classroom

[Jan1243 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice for a children's book but I wanted a little more. The author said she adapted Russell's own words, but there is no attribution. I think I'll get the actual book by Russell, Land of Enchantment.