Trapped in Death Valley

by Vinnie Ruffo

Trapped in Death Valley

121 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful story of a family who decide to take a shortcut through Death Valley on their way to California. Big mistake! This story is based on a true event, and is written so vividly that you feel as thirsty and hot as these people did during their ordeal. I can't imagine such a barren place. Gripping reading written by an author who was born in my county, and who actually camped in Death Valley as part of the research for this story. Recommended!

[Alice Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! George's family is on their way to California.They sold a large farm and a large home in Wisconsin when his dad hear in March 1849 of the Gold Rush. They joined a wagon train with the Arcane family and Manly and John, single men Trackers. The people in Salt Lake City, Utah see that the wagon train does not have enough food, so they tell them to keep moving. They are in a wagon train, when a fellow comes along unknown who claims to have a shorter way to California. After a few days they find out that he knows nothing and everyone splits out on their own. George is 13 years old. His Pa, Ma and sisters Martha and Melissa and the Arcane family and Manly and John start for California.It is a long hard journey.They have to drop all nonessentials off their wagons. The two trackers look for a route and are back in 26 days. They say if we go over the mountains in 10 days we can be to green grass , clean water and with a Spanish, friendly, farm family. At last they get through Death Valley. By the time that they get to the ranch it is March 1850. One year journey and Praise God that we made it.

[Christiana Mandache · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childhood favorite! I read it over and over again. It’s a story re-telling of a family who successfully traveled through the deserts of Southern California during the time of the 1849 Gold Rush.