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West From the Cradle
Travis Cooper was never meant to be a prospector. But when shopkeeper Raymond Hillerman shows him a copy of the California Star in the fall of 1848, one shining word jumps off the GOLD! That one word changes everything.
Undersized and bookish, Travis isn’t the sort who would leave his home in Missouri to make the perilous journey west to California. Not much help on the farm, he’s certainly not likely to take up the backbreaking work of a gold miner. Besides, it’s his older brother Jonas that Mr. Hillerman has hired as his partner in the diggings. But when their father is injured, Jonas must stay behind to work the farm, and Travis sets out on the trail in his brother’s place.
Along with adventure comes danger, and Travis discovers that staying alive is more difficult than he ever imagined. Keeping his partner from getting himself killed may be downright impossible…
Undersized and bookish, Travis isn’t the sort who would leave his home in Missouri to make the perilous journey west to California. Not much help on the farm, he’s certainly not likely to take up the backbreaking work of a gold miner. Besides, it’s his older brother Jonas that Mr. Hillerman has hired as his partner in the diggings. But when their father is injured, Jonas must stay behind to work the farm, and Travis sets out on the trail in his brother’s place.
Along with adventure comes danger, and Travis discovers that staying alive is more difficult than he ever imagined. Keeping his partner from getting himself killed may be downright impossible…
- GenresHistoricalYoung Adult
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2017
13 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 24, 2020
West From the Cradle is a good book. I enjoyed the historical details of the story. I felt like I was transported back in time with Travis and thought his struggles to survive. I could not imagine living during those hard and trying times. Brigid Amos is a talented author and I hope to read more by her.
I had the pleasure of hearing the audio version of West From the Cradle. I absolutely loved listening James G Charron’s voice. His performance perfectly brought this book to life.
I recommend this book to readers, young and old who love to read good, clean historical fiction.
Four stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This book review is 100% my own honest opinion.
May 13, 2020
Travis never thought he would amount to very much. He was very short and not as strong as the rest of the men in his family. His strength lied in books more than it did fieldwork. A local shopkeeper reads in the California paper that they have found gold in the rivers. He wants to take Travis' older brother to go try to find some and come back home to financially help their families. Everything is set until Travis' father falls and breaks his arm forcing his brother to stay home so that the fieldwork will get done. Travis goes in his stead.
First of all, I want to say that this book tackles a lot of heavy topics that a lot of books won't really cover. Not as in-depth and without being overly descriptive as this one. That being said, it can be a little overwhelming at times. It is realistic. I can't fault them on that. The book takes place in the mid-1800s. Personally, I think that some things happened a little too quickly and a little too easily. I also feel like a few parts jumped rather quickly. That's just me though. I can't say it's a favorite or that I will ever read it, but I enjoyed it.
The book was narrated by James G Charron. He did a great job. I'm not sure if this is accurate, but it would appear that this is the only audiobook he has narrated so far. I will be glad to follow him and see if he does any more narrations in the future. He does have quite the soothing voice. I just try not to judge a narrator by one book alone. Every story is unique in its own way and the tone he uses for this book he may not use for another book. It's just hard to gauge the overall talent of a narrator on one book alone.
I think that his book would be a great read for people who love historical novels. It's very short and easy to read. Well, easy as in the reader is able to get through it quickly. It's not an easy read as in there's nothing major in it. I did include a warning about some sensitive topics covered. This is a clean read in as far as no cursing or sex were in it, but sex is mentioned in it. In a way. Overall, I do recommend this book.
First of all, I want to say that this book tackles a lot of heavy topics that a lot of books won't really cover. Not as in-depth and without being overly descriptive as this one. That being said, it can be a little overwhelming at times. It is realistic. I can't fault them on that. The book takes place in the mid-1800s. Personally, I think that some things happened a little too quickly and a little too easily. I also feel like a few parts jumped rather quickly. That's just me though. I can't say it's a favorite or that I will ever read it, but I enjoyed it.
The book was narrated by James G Charron. He did a great job. I'm not sure if this is accurate, but it would appear that this is the only audiobook he has narrated so far. I will be glad to follow him and see if he does any more narrations in the future. He does have quite the soothing voice. I just try not to judge a narrator by one book alone. Every story is unique in its own way and the tone he uses for this book he may not use for another book. It's just hard to gauge the overall talent of a narrator on one book alone.
I think that his book would be a great read for people who love historical novels. It's very short and easy to read. Well, easy as in the reader is able to get through it quickly. It's not an easy read as in there's nothing major in it. I did include a warning about some sensitive topics covered. This is a clean read in as far as no cursing or sex were in it, but sex is mentioned in it. In a way. Overall, I do recommend this book.
November 30, 2017
This feel-good historical read was just the ticket for a relaxing few hours. Puny but likable, Travis Cooper, gets to experience the adventure of a lifetime unexpectedly when his older, stronger brother has to forego the trip in order to care for their newly injured father.
Just 16, Travis faces hardship and misadventure on the long trail from Missouri to California in mid-nineteen hundred. I enjoyed the story as the long trek across country via wagon played out beautifully as the author’s descriptive narrative transported me back to that earlier time.
Travis faces and overcomes many difficulties before he and his new partner finally stake their claim. Then there is even more intrigue as rash actions and a love of gambling land his partner in a heap of trouble. The action is intense throughout and the story is never dull.
I disliked the big gap in the story after Travis falls gravely ill then almost dies. He’s invited to join another group but declines; determined this time to make the remainder of the journey on his own. Then the story picks up again, on location sometime later at the claim in California.
Even as small as he is, Travis has a natural knack for prospecting. While I was happy for his successes, I also became skeptical that the back-breaking labor could be so easy for the lad. The book closes at a logical point and it seems the next adventure may pick up further south possibly in Mexico.
Several thought-provoking themes were skillfully woven into the story-line. I enjoyed this book and look forward to further adventures as Travis navigates the Wild West.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
Just 16, Travis faces hardship and misadventure on the long trail from Missouri to California in mid-nineteen hundred. I enjoyed the story as the long trek across country via wagon played out beautifully as the author’s descriptive narrative transported me back to that earlier time.
Travis faces and overcomes many difficulties before he and his new partner finally stake their claim. Then there is even more intrigue as rash actions and a love of gambling land his partner in a heap of trouble. The action is intense throughout and the story is never dull.
I disliked the big gap in the story after Travis falls gravely ill then almost dies. He’s invited to join another group but declines; determined this time to make the remainder of the journey on his own. Then the story picks up again, on location sometime later at the claim in California.
Even as small as he is, Travis has a natural knack for prospecting. While I was happy for his successes, I also became skeptical that the back-breaking labor could be so easy for the lad. The book closes at a logical point and it seems the next adventure may pick up further south possibly in Mexico.
Several thought-provoking themes were skillfully woven into the story-line. I enjoyed this book and look forward to further adventures as Travis navigates the Wild West.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
December 7, 2017
3.75 out of 5 stars
"West From the Cradle" by Brigid Amos is a young adult historical novel that provides a glimpse of the sacrifice and determination that characterized the exodus to participate in the California Gold Rush. Young Travis Cooper gets caught up in the frenzy and has to cope with remarkable changes that he will need to adapt to or be chewed up by the craziness.
There are fascinating aspects to this story that gives a different perspective on the sacrifices, harsh life, and difficult choices that characterized life during this time. The author offers several examples of the way life changes in an instant and gives insight into the highs and lows that accompany the arduous process of gathering gold from the barely civilized region of California. I was particularly entertained to learn the implications of the phrase, "Watching the grass grow." The casual bigotry demonstrated is heartbreaking and it was eye-opening to be reminded what a precarious position women could occupy. The points of view hop around and there are sometimes abrupt shifts in time and scene which I found disconcerting but I was particularly frustrated by the end because it is somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I think this is a fun story that will help youngsters understand a bit more about our amazing history and the fever that struck and changed so many lives.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
"West From the Cradle" by Brigid Amos is a young adult historical novel that provides a glimpse of the sacrifice and determination that characterized the exodus to participate in the California Gold Rush. Young Travis Cooper gets caught up in the frenzy and has to cope with remarkable changes that he will need to adapt to or be chewed up by the craziness.
There are fascinating aspects to this story that gives a different perspective on the sacrifices, harsh life, and difficult choices that characterized life during this time. The author offers several examples of the way life changes in an instant and gives insight into the highs and lows that accompany the arduous process of gathering gold from the barely civilized region of California. I was particularly entertained to learn the implications of the phrase, "Watching the grass grow." The casual bigotry demonstrated is heartbreaking and it was eye-opening to be reminded what a precarious position women could occupy. The points of view hop around and there are sometimes abrupt shifts in time and scene which I found disconcerting but I was particularly frustrated by the end because it is somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I think this is a fun story that will help youngsters understand a bit more about our amazing history and the fever that struck and changed so many lives.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
August 1, 2020
An Interesting Western Adventure
Travis wanted to go to California to find gold and get rich. A man in town had plans to ready a wagon and join a wagon train headed to California. Travis 's parents agreed that he could go with man. They prepared everything, building the wagon and getting all the supplies they would need.
The group split up soon after they started when a young man was accidentally shot and killed. One group took the northern route to end up in northern California and the other group took the southern route to end up in Southern California. This book tells about the southern route. There were only a few wagons in each group but they went on. Then there was a misunderstanding when a girl said she was touched inappropriately and the southern group left the accused party behind to fend for themselves.
We were down to one wagon. One man and a teenaged boy to find their way to California. Then a tragedy happened. The man woke up with diarrhea that would not stop, then got sicker and died leaving the teenaged boy on his own. Indians living nearby noticed the boy burying the man. When the boy woke up the next morning he found that the oxen, horse, and even the milk cow had been taken overnight. The boy made a backpack of sorts from a rubber raincoat and ropes and loaded all the food he could carry and started walking west.
Somehow he made it to California on foot.
I enjoyed this book.
Travis wanted to go to California to find gold and get rich. A man in town had plans to ready a wagon and join a wagon train headed to California. Travis 's parents agreed that he could go with man. They prepared everything, building the wagon and getting all the supplies they would need.
The group split up soon after they started when a young man was accidentally shot and killed. One group took the northern route to end up in northern California and the other group took the southern route to end up in Southern California. This book tells about the southern route. There were only a few wagons in each group but they went on. Then there was a misunderstanding when a girl said she was touched inappropriately and the southern group left the accused party behind to fend for themselves.
We were down to one wagon. One man and a teenaged boy to find their way to California. Then a tragedy happened. The man woke up with diarrhea that would not stop, then got sicker and died leaving the teenaged boy on his own. Indians living nearby noticed the boy burying the man. When the boy woke up the next morning he found that the oxen, horse, and even the milk cow had been taken overnight. The boy made a backpack of sorts from a rubber raincoat and ropes and loaded all the food he could carry and started walking west.
Somehow he made it to California on foot.
I enjoyed this book.
August 30, 2017
Young Travis Cooper becomes a man the instant he steps foot into Hilllerman’s General story. It’s 1848 and a whirl of gold dust is in the air. After seeing a copy of the California Star, the boy gets a dose of gold fever.
Travis soon learns that staying alive is harder than Missouri farm work and potential prospecting. The wagon trail ride with storekeeper and now partner Raymond Hillerman goes from adventurous to dangerous from both the elements and sidewinding wagon train companions. When Hillerman dies from illness, Travis becomes alone, that is until Joaquin de la Rosa shows up, spoiled and upper class yet a hard worker. The two become partners.
Until de la Rose is arrested for a crime. Nicenan Indians come to their aid, adding flavor to the story.
I receive a copy of West of the Cradle in exchange for an objective review. I recommend this book to both teen and adult readers. The history is authentic and accurate with lively descriptions of gold fever, illness, danger and culture. Characters are believable and determined. It was a wonderful read.
Travis soon learns that staying alive is harder than Missouri farm work and potential prospecting. The wagon trail ride with storekeeper and now partner Raymond Hillerman goes from adventurous to dangerous from both the elements and sidewinding wagon train companions. When Hillerman dies from illness, Travis becomes alone, that is until Joaquin de la Rosa shows up, spoiled and upper class yet a hard worker. The two become partners.
Until de la Rose is arrested for a crime. Nicenan Indians come to their aid, adding flavor to the story.
I receive a copy of West of the Cradle in exchange for an objective review. I recommend this book to both teen and adult readers. The history is authentic and accurate with lively descriptions of gold fever, illness, danger and culture. Characters are believable and determined. It was a wonderful read.
December 16, 2017
A tale of adventure and desperation, “West from the Cradle” follows an innocent young man seeking his fortune, who experiences some of the worst aspects of the Wild West during the Gold Rush.
Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 8, 2019
2 star
The story makes a huge time jump and doesn't account for that satisfactorily and it doesn't really feel finished in the end. I was shocked when the rating screen popped up, thinking I wasn't near the end of the book yet.
The story makes a huge time jump and doesn't account for that satisfactorily and it doesn't really feel finished in the end. I was shocked when the rating screen popped up, thinking I wasn't near the end of the book yet.
November 16, 2018
West
Very good 👍Too short. Excellent book! Looking forward to the sequel soon,I hope it is as good as Thu one was!
Very good 👍Too short. Excellent book! Looking forward to the sequel soon,I hope it is as good as Thu one was!
December 29, 2019
What an adventure
Truly a tale not for the faint of heart. Great detail to description and the characters. This was an amazing adventure of such a young soul.
Truly a tale not for the faint of heart. Great detail to description and the characters. This was an amazing adventure of such a young soul.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews