The Wind Wagon

by Celia Barker Lottridge, Daniel Clifford (Illustrator)

In 1860 Sam Peppard is a blacksmith living in the Kansas Territory, but he is restless. He s heard about the settlers heading west in search of gold and silver. Most have packed their possessions into large prairie schooners and made their long journey to the western mines. But Sam is impatient and has an inventive mind. Despite the scoffs of neighbors, he builds his own wind wagon — a narrow wooden cart with a large mast in the middle that will sail across the prairie powered by the wind. Sam s persistence pays off one day when the wind is right and he sets sail for the silver mines of Colorado. This account weaves U.S. history, science, and geography into a dramatic narrative. Daniel Clifford s illustrations, reminiscent of old photographs, add humor to this true story that reads like a tall tale.

56 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Mrs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I didn't dislike it but I can't imagine recommending it to anyone or reading it again.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful transitional chapter book with appeal to boys and girls. Based on true events of a man that tried to harness the power of the wind to help his wagon travel across the flat prairie by attaching a sail.