A Fourth of July on the Plains

by Jean Van Leeuwen

Young Jesse and his family are with a wagon train traveling from Indiana to Oregon when they stop to celebrate the Fourth of July and Jesse makes his own contribution to the celebration

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, American History, Childrens, Historical

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Jean Van Leeuwen was an American children's book author, of over forty children's books, including the Oliver Pig series, and Bound for Oregon.

Reviews

[Abigail]

Based upon a true account of celebrating the 4th of July on the Oregon Trail, this lovely picture-book from author Jean Van Leeuwen and illustrator Henri Sorenson offers a brief portrait of our national holiday as it was celebrated by a group of 19th-century pioneers. When Jesse's father announces the wagon train will stop a few days to rest, the young boy is happy for the holiday, but dismayed to find that he is excluded from all the preparatory activities. Too young to go hunting with the men, too disaster-prone to be allowed to seek a flagpole with his brothers, he wonders what he can do to contribute. Then, on the day of celebration, he has a bright ideas, and organizes all the young boys into an impromptu band...

According to the author's brief note, the story of A Fourth of July on the Plains is based upon an account found in the diary of E.W. Conyers, held by the Oregon Pioneer Association. It isn't clear to me how closely the narrative here follows the memoir, so I have added this to my 'historical fiction' shelf. In any case, the story follows a fairly traditional line, and although it is historical, it chronicles an experience common to childhood - namely, the frustration felt by younger children, at not being able to do everything they want, and their happiness at finding a way to participate. In a very different form, this is also the story of Barbar M. Joosse's Fourth of July , which I read recently, and which was published in 1985. A useful reminder that, although historical circumstances change, the human condition does not. The artwork by Sorenson, done in watercolor, ink pen and colored pencils, was lovely, and had an impressionistic style. This is one I would recommend to anyone seeking picture-books about the Oregon Trail, the pioneers of the American west, or the Fourth of July.

[Luisa Knight]

Here’s a unique story to read on the 4th!

A wagon train stops their march to Oregon for a couple of days in order to celebrate Independence Day. Everyone wants to make the day a special one and all help in the preparations. Jesse wants to do something festive for the day too and comes up with a fun idea.

Ages: 3 -10

Cleanliness: a boy sneaks away from his mom.

[Miranda Reads]

This is a pretty good book based on the westward expansion. I thought it had a cute premise, and rather nice illustrations.

[Rosa Cline]

This was a very nice find for a 4th of July read. Helping take today's child back in time to how their great grandparents may have celebrated the holiday. It probably meant more to our grandparents than it does to us today; but still an honored holiday.

This was written from a little boy's point of view how he was tired of being on the wagon train and missed the annual parade at his old home. But he uses his imagination and comes up with his own type of parade to brighten everyone on the wagon train.

[Felicia]

This books has really nice illustrations and a great story about how one group chooses to celebrated 4th of July in the Plains as they travel the Oregon trail. This book is a great history lesson thats very kid friendly. But it does have a lot of words and would be most appropriate for 3rd grade and up.

[Nanny B]

Great story and illustrations @