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My Way West: Real Kids Traveling the Oregon and California Trails
For kids who want to learn about what life was like on the Oregon and California Trails between 1840 and 1869, this fascinating history book features beautiful papercut illustrations to reveal the true experiences of real children who had traveled west. The book shows how these children's courage, determination, perseverance, and hope defined the West for what it represents today.
Between 1841 and 1884, more than 300,000 people--40,000 of whom were children--moved over land across North America in search for a new start and better life. The journey presented challenges at every turn, from the initial preparations to the months-long trip, and even after when the travelers reached their final destinations. Young emigrants played large roles throughout it all, with responsibilities ranging from hunting animals to gathering buffalo dung, or even caring for babies.
Relying on real letters and memoirs of actual children on the trail, My Way West offers a fresh perspective so that readers, too, can smell the campfire smoke and see the dust kicked up by the wagon wheels. Learn about seven-year-old Benjamin Bonney from Illinois who was introduced to a new type of bread by Native Americans he met on the trail; how thirteen-year-old Heber McBride and his family from England were able to keep up with their traveling group; what ten-year-old Thocmetony of the Northern Paiute in Nevada thought of the travelers passing by her home; what the difficulties twelve-year-old Owen Bush met when his family, including his free African American father, finally reached Oregon; and more.
Including a bibliography and gorgeously illustrated in vibrant, masterful papercut art, this book presents true stories plus quotes so that young readers can share the emigrant kids' triumphs and tragedies as they make their journey west.
Between 1841 and 1884, more than 300,000 people--40,000 of whom were children--moved over land across North America in search for a new start and better life. The journey presented challenges at every turn, from the initial preparations to the months-long trip, and even after when the travelers reached their final destinations. Young emigrants played large roles throughout it all, with responsibilities ranging from hunting animals to gathering buffalo dung, or even caring for babies.
Relying on real letters and memoirs of actual children on the trail, My Way West offers a fresh perspective so that readers, too, can smell the campfire smoke and see the dust kicked up by the wagon wheels. Learn about seven-year-old Benjamin Bonney from Illinois who was introduced to a new type of bread by Native Americans he met on the trail; how thirteen-year-old Heber McBride and his family from England were able to keep up with their traveling group; what ten-year-old Thocmetony of the Northern Paiute in Nevada thought of the travelers passing by her home; what the difficulties twelve-year-old Owen Bush met when his family, including his free African American father, finally reached Oregon; and more.
Including a bibliography and gorgeously illustrated in vibrant, masterful papercut art, this book presents true stories plus quotes so that young readers can share the emigrant kids' triumphs and tragedies as they make their journey west.
50 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2021
405 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 9, 2022
My Way West tells the story of real kids that traveled the trails across the west. The children told the stories and through their quotes and paragraphs about how folks decided to move west—the journey across the Oregon trails, California Trails, and Momon trails.
The kids told these journeys on the trails through the images and how life was on the trails. Children will be able to learn about the life and history of the US and the Oregon trails. This book shows tragedy and how everyone came together and helped each other along the way. Children can learn about this and American history by reading this book, not of it but a good glimpse of it.
I enjoy learning about the western expansion and the Oregon trails. I am one of those kinds of readers. I was learning about history through books and how life may have been back then—the dangers of it. When reading this book, I read the quotes first and then the information on the page. Tough, you can read it by doing the significant info about the journey or the topic that was talked about and then the quotes after. It doe not really make a difference in what way you read it. I enjoy that. There is no right way to read this book.
I like the focus was on the actual kids that traveled the Organ and California Trails. The author does a beautiful job of that. This book is suitable for middle-grade readers who want to learn about American history. This book would be an excellent book to have in classrooms as well.
The kids told these journeys on the trails through the images and how life was on the trails. Children will be able to learn about the life and history of the US and the Oregon trails. This book shows tragedy and how everyone came together and helped each other along the way. Children can learn about this and American history by reading this book, not of it but a good glimpse of it.
I enjoy learning about the western expansion and the Oregon trails. I am one of those kinds of readers. I was learning about history through books and how life may have been back then—the dangers of it. When reading this book, I read the quotes first and then the information on the page. Tough, you can read it by doing the significant info about the journey or the topic that was talked about and then the quotes after. It doe not really make a difference in what way you read it. I enjoy that. There is no right way to read this book.
I like the focus was on the actual kids that traveled the Organ and California Trails. The author does a beautiful job of that. This book is suitable for middle-grade readers who want to learn about American history. This book would be an excellent book to have in classrooms as well.
November 30, 2021
Pretty good book. Both kids and adults would enjoy it.
August 4, 2021
This book describes different facets of the pioneers' journeys overland during the westward expansion, from deciding whether to go, to arriving in their new states.
Each block of text is accompanied by quotes from actual children, with only minor changes made to clarify the spelling and grammar for modern readers.
15 children are featured in the book, all of whom were actual people living at the time. This includes 11 white children, a child of the Santee Sioux Nation, a child from the Northern Paiute Nation, and two African American children. Abbreviated biographies are given for each child in the book's back matter.
While no diary entries exist for the African American children featured, the author has pieced together their stories in order to provide a broader and more diverse collection of perspectives. The author tells their stories through third person to make it clear these are not direct quotes from primary sources.
The book acknowledges the hardships westward expansion created for Native peoples, acknowledging the loss of their homeland, the introduction of new diseases, and disruption of ecosystems.
Overall this book is very well written, is instructional without being dull, and forms a welcome contrast to books which pretend that white pioneers have the only perspective of importance.
Each block of text is accompanied by quotes from actual children, with only minor changes made to clarify the spelling and grammar for modern readers.
15 children are featured in the book, all of whom were actual people living at the time. This includes 11 white children, a child of the Santee Sioux Nation, a child from the Northern Paiute Nation, and two African American children. Abbreviated biographies are given for each child in the book's back matter.
While no diary entries exist for the African American children featured, the author has pieced together their stories in order to provide a broader and more diverse collection of perspectives. The author tells their stories through third person to make it clear these are not direct quotes from primary sources.
The book acknowledges the hardships westward expansion created for Native peoples, acknowledging the loss of their homeland, the introduction of new diseases, and disruption of ecosystems.
Overall this book is very well written, is instructional without being dull, and forms a welcome contrast to books which pretend that white pioneers have the only perspective of importance.
June 19, 2021
My Way West introduces a young audience to the Oregon/California/Mormon trails through the lens of young migrants' experiences. Different topics, such as preparation, bad weather, travel, games, etc. are explained; memoirs from child-travelers allow readers to connect with those who travelled. Perspectives from Indigenous observers, white travelers, and enslaved Black people offer a comprehensive overview of the Oregon trail topic.
It is personal histories (recollections and biographical data) of children that set My Way West apart from other books about the Oregon/California/Mormon trails. T was interested to know that these "kids really said that stuff" that's written on each page. Back matter provides further biographical information on each of the children who have a voice in this book.
My Way West would be ideal for children interested in migration, American history, and the Oregon trail. It was a bit long to read with T in one sitting, so I would suggest taking it in sections for the youngest audience. It would also be good as a reference book for students studying the Oregon trail.
Note: A review copy was provided by West Margin Press upon request for the purpose of this honest review.
It is personal histories (recollections and biographical data) of children that set My Way West apart from other books about the Oregon/California/Mormon trails. T was interested to know that these "kids really said that stuff" that's written on each page. Back matter provides further biographical information on each of the children who have a voice in this book.
My Way West would be ideal for children interested in migration, American history, and the Oregon trail. It was a bit long to read with T in one sitting, so I would suggest taking it in sections for the youngest audience. It would also be good as a reference book for students studying the Oregon trail.
Note: A review copy was provided by West Margin Press upon request for the purpose of this honest review.
July 4, 2022
A good book, especially for kids on the west coast.
It should definitely be in Oregon school libraries who study the Oregon Trail as it has excerpts from various diaries on each page (real kids).
first it has a map showing the various routes taken (including the Mormon Trail).
Then it begins with a questions to pique interest. It shows ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
The 2nd page explains that the land wasn't empty because there were Native Americans living there. It went on to discuss why the people moved, including African Americans.
It includes the supplies taken and reasons for each as well as difficulties encountered, responsibilities of group members, bad weather, losing a parent, fun & play and so much more. It's comprehensive.
With the lack of reviews on this book, I do hope the word gets out.
It should definitely be in Oregon school libraries who study the Oregon Trail as it has excerpts from various diaries on each page (real kids).
first it has a map showing the various routes taken (including the Mormon Trail).
Then it begins with a questions to pique interest. It shows ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
The 2nd page explains that the land wasn't empty because there were Native Americans living there. It went on to discuss why the people moved, including African Americans.
It includes the supplies taken and reasons for each as well as difficulties encountered, responsibilities of group members, bad weather, losing a parent, fun & play and so much more. It's comprehensive.
With the lack of reviews on this book, I do hope the word gets out.
March 24, 2025
A beautifully illustrated book with a unique take on the storytelling of the Oregon trail history. Goss weaves together prose and actual children's diaries from the time to paint a picture of a life that was difficult and adventurous. Goss also includes some of the Native American history in the western United States at this time, giving broader and important context for what it meant for white settlers to be moving west. The cut-paper artwork is stunning, and adds emotion and action to the words. A wonderful book for ages 7-11.
September 26, 2021
Elizabeth Goss' book, My Way West:Real Kids Traveling the Oregon and California Trails, shares a wealth of information! It explains life during the Westward Expansion and shared quotes from real children. While reading this book, I thought it would be a good book to share with a child or a good book for a child to use when writing a report about this time in history. This book is well written and uses illustrations to bring the story to life. I enjoyed reading it.
September 6, 2021
Love it!
It’s a lovely book, beautifully touching upon westward journey of emigrants. I love the quotes & snippets of emigrant kids & various circumstances experienced by them.
This is engaging book, that sparks curiosity & encourages to look for more information & stories in history!
It’s a lovely book, beautifully touching upon westward journey of emigrants. I love the quotes & snippets of emigrant kids & various circumstances experienced by them.
This is engaging book, that sparks curiosity & encourages to look for more information & stories in history!
December 28, 2022
I thought this was an excellent book to introduce students to the perils that kids went through when their parents decided to head west. Elizabeth Goss took much of her material from kid's diaries and those kids are featured throughout. Very interesting and she gives plenty of references for further reading.
Want to Read
March 25, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
September 4, 2021
Good for older elementary/younger middle grade kids (think 4th-7th). Some language might be too difficult for 3rd graders. Gives a different perspective on the Oregon/California Trails from the mid-1800s.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
February 13, 2023
My Way West provides lots of information about young emigrants taking a journey to the West. The illustrations are fantastic and each page includes quotes from real kids!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews