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Tales of Young Americans
Minnow and Rose: An Oregon Trail Story
In the mid-1800s thousands of pioneers crossed the western plains of the United States using the 2,000-mile pathway called the Oregon Trail. Minnow and her family live in one of the many native villages scattered across the plains. She has a lively sense of adventure and her favorite pastime is swimming in the nearby river where she rightly earns her nickname. Rose and her family are traveling in one of the many wagon trains making their way west. It's been a tedious journey with little excitement. Rose can't wait for something thrilling to happen. And one day it does. On the banks of a rushing river that divides one way of life from another, two very different cultures come face-to-face, with life-changing results.In addition to writing children's books, Judy Young teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators across the country. Her other books with Sleeping Bear Press include the popular R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and The Lucky Star. Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. A graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design, Bill Farnsworth has created paintings for magazines, advertisements, children's books, and fine art commissions. He has illustrated more than 50 children's books and his book awards include a Teachers' Choice Award, the 2005 Patricia Gallagher Award, and the 2007 Volunteer State Book Award. Bill lives in Venice, Florida.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Judy Young
105 books13 followers Judy Young is the author of 30 children's fiction, nonfiction and poetry books. Her books range for all ages of childrens, from board books, picture books as well as middle grade novels. Her books include the Digger and Daisy early reader series and The Wild World of Buck Bray middle grade novel series.
Judy's books have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award for "R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet" and LaVar Burton's reading of "A Pet for Miss Wright" for Reading Rainbow Video.
When not writing, Judy is usually outdoors—hiking, camping, fishing, and snowshoeing in the mountains of Idaho where she resides with her husband and three dogs.
Judy offers exciting virtual author visits for elementary and middle schools. For more info, visit her website.
Judy's books have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award for "R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet" and LaVar Burton's reading of "A Pet for Miss Wright" for Reading Rainbow Video.
When not writing, Judy is usually outdoors—hiking, camping, fishing, and snowshoeing in the mountains of Idaho where she resides with her husband and three dogs.
Judy offers exciting virtual author visits for elementary and middle schools. For more info, visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 24, 2013
DRA: ? Reading level: Grades 1-4
In the mid-1800s, Minnow lived in one of the many native villages scattered across the plains. One day, she meets Rose, who is traveling West with her family on a wagon train. Then two different cultures come face to face, and both girls change each other's lives forever.
In the mid-1800s, Minnow lived in one of the many native villages scattered across the plains. One day, she meets Rose, who is traveling West with her family on a wagon train. Then two different cultures come face to face, and both girls change each other's lives forever.
May 3, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: Multiple small awards
Audience: Grades: 1-3
Summary: This book is about two young girls who come from different backgrounds and have an encounter that will live with them for the rest of their lives.
1. The setting of this book is near a river along the Oregon Trail during the 1800's. Near the river, there are prickly vines with wild berries growing and plain land.
2. The point of view is told in third person omniscient. Both girls' thoughts are known and the conversations they have. This perspective gives the sides of both girls with the different events that take place. The audience gets a better feel of the emotion and how they both see things happening.
Awards: Multiple small awards
Audience: Grades: 1-3
Summary: This book is about two young girls who come from different backgrounds and have an encounter that will live with them for the rest of their lives.
1. The setting of this book is near a river along the Oregon Trail during the 1800's. Near the river, there are prickly vines with wild berries growing and plain land.
2. The point of view is told in third person omniscient. Both girls' thoughts are known and the conversations they have. This perspective gives the sides of both girls with the different events that take place. The audience gets a better feel of the emotion and how they both see things happening.
January 10, 2021
We read this book on Epic while everyone was learning at home. It kept everyone's attention, that's for sure. I found it ended really fast though. We wanted to know more about their friendship.
Also, it uses old terms for First Nations people. I just said, "It says...., but I'm going to say First Nations when I read this."
Also, it uses old terms for First Nations people. I just said, "It says...., but I'm going to say First Nations when I read this."
June 16, 2017
A positive tale about early pioneers and their interactions with the American Indians.
January 25, 2021
An excellent tale of friendship set against the beautiful prairie background. ☺️
January 30, 2022
Amazing story! Love how Rose and Minnow become friends even though they are different!
November 14, 2024
They are still on the trail and this book ends. It was a good rear but not a great love story. Her mom writes better stories.
February 27, 2017
Minnow is a Native American girl. Rose is a pioneer girl. Though they look different, their paths cross in a way that seems like fate.
I loved the illustrations in this story. It's so sweet and shows what friendship can look like.
I would use this book to teach about history of westward movement, the Oregon Trail, etc. I could also use it to elaborate on diverse friendships. I highly recommend it.
I loved the illustrations in this story. It's so sweet and shows what friendship can look like.
I would use this book to teach about history of westward movement, the Oregon Trail, etc. I could also use it to elaborate on diverse friendships. I highly recommend it.
April 21, 2016
Minnow and Rose is a cultural and historical book that shows a glimpse of life on the Oregon Trail, but also the positive relationships that often existed between the Pioneers and the Native Americans.
This book celebrates friendship and cultural differences as Minnow (Native American) and Rose (Pioneer) become friends despite the many differences that exist between them.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful! They accurately represent the characters and life during the 1800's on the Oregon Trail. This is great book to use in a History lesson when students are learning about the Oregon Trail. It also teaches children that you can become friends with any person that comes from a different culture. The story is also written from both girls' perspective, which I found interesting but a little confusing at the same time. One page describes what happens in the story from Minnow's perspective and the next page what happens from Rose's view. This made the story feel a little disconnected because you after reading one point of view you expect a continuation on the next page and it rather would take you back to introduce the other girl's perspective.
Besides that being the only downside I found in the story, I would still love to use this book in my own classroom to teach two very important concepts - The history of the Oregon Trail and the meaning of true friendship.
This book celebrates friendship and cultural differences as Minnow (Native American) and Rose (Pioneer) become friends despite the many differences that exist between them.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful! They accurately represent the characters and life during the 1800's on the Oregon Trail. This is great book to use in a History lesson when students are learning about the Oregon Trail. It also teaches children that you can become friends with any person that comes from a different culture. The story is also written from both girls' perspective, which I found interesting but a little confusing at the same time. One page describes what happens in the story from Minnow's perspective and the next page what happens from Rose's view. This made the story feel a little disconnected because you after reading one point of view you expect a continuation on the next page and it rather would take you back to introduce the other girl's perspective.
Besides that being the only downside I found in the story, I would still love to use this book in my own classroom to teach two very important concepts - The history of the Oregon Trail and the meaning of true friendship.
April 29, 2015
Laura Mueller
March 4, 2015
EDL53500 Library Materials for Children and Youth
Title: Minnow and Rose: An Oregon Trail Story
Author: Judy Young
Plot: Rose is traveling west with her family in a covered wagon and she happens to meet a Native American girl about her age. They start playing and then when their fathers find out they are told not to play with each other. Then, Rose falls out of the wagon while trying to cross the river. The Native Americans save her and the families are so happy and friendship develops between the girls.
Setting: along the Oregon trail in the 1800's
Characters: Rose, Minnow, their fathers
Point-of-View: third person
Themes: friendship
Style: This story is written in a traditional way.
Copyright: 2009
Reflection: I liked this historical fiction book because it shows how the relationships with the pioneers and the Native Americans was fragile but also how the Native Americans helped the pioneer families. I also like how the girls from different backgrounds became friends.
March 4, 2015
EDL53500 Library Materials for Children and Youth
Title: Minnow and Rose: An Oregon Trail Story
Author: Judy Young
Plot: Rose is traveling west with her family in a covered wagon and she happens to meet a Native American girl about her age. They start playing and then when their fathers find out they are told not to play with each other. Then, Rose falls out of the wagon while trying to cross the river. The Native Americans save her and the families are so happy and friendship develops between the girls.
Setting: along the Oregon trail in the 1800's
Characters: Rose, Minnow, their fathers
Point-of-View: third person
Themes: friendship
Style: This story is written in a traditional way.
Copyright: 2009
Reflection: I liked this historical fiction book because it shows how the relationships with the pioneers and the Native Americans was fragile but also how the Native Americans helped the pioneer families. I also like how the girls from different backgrounds became friends.
September 15, 2010
I randomly grab a few books in the children's section to read to my daughter. I liked the history that is in this book. I never really think of the Oregon Trail, but this put a situation that most of us take for granted (crossing a river- since we all get to drive across them on bridges nowadays) and puts it into light for what pioneers had to face. I like the back and forth viewpoints from the two characters and the desire to be inclusionary instead of exclusionary with someone who may look different than yourself.
Read
February 24, 2016This is a really cute story about friendship and creating lasting bonds with people. THe story consists of two girls, one of which is Native American and the other is a Pioneer girl. They meet on accident but their families help each other out. The illustrations of this story are to die for! The way the artist created how the characters looked as spectacular. This would be a great book to read to students when they are learning about the Oregon Trail, so they know more than just bad things happened during that time.
March 9, 2011
This is another typical Show-Me Readers nominee. The writing is OK, the illustrations are so-so, but there's an easy lesson that can be tied into the book so it's on the list.
I will say that it is one of the better books on the Show-Me Readers list, but I think the audience for this one is a bit limited. I think 2nd-3rd grade girls who love frontier tales and Little House on the Prairie are going to be the ones who like this book.
I will say that it is one of the better books on the Show-Me Readers list, but I think the audience for this one is a bit limited. I think 2nd-3rd grade girls who love frontier tales and Little House on the Prairie are going to be the ones who like this book.
January 30, 2016
When reading this book the pictures really stood out to me. They look like they were painted with water colors. But the book itself was good. It was not what I was expecting when i read it but i enjoyed it.
I would use this book in a classroom for younger kids when talking about the Organ Trial. This book also shows that no matter where you came from or what culture you grew up in you can still be friends with kids that are different then you. And that you can except there culture.
I would use this book in a classroom for younger kids when talking about the Organ Trial. This book also shows that no matter where you came from or what culture you grew up in you can still be friends with kids that are different then you. And that you can except there culture.
February 3, 2015
A tale of two girls from two very different backgrounds who find friendship and understanding in each other, in that remarkable way only children can do. Set during the mid-1800’s along the Oregon Trail this picture book would be a nice addition to any elementary class covering the time and troubles awaiting pioneers.
October 24, 2010
Oh, I really liked this book. I love the picture of friendship that it paints. I plan to use it when we study Native Americans. I am certain it will lead to wonderful conversations about character issues and how to be a good friend.
January 23, 2013
This was a great adventure book! It sounded like it could have happened in real life and I liked the characters Minnow and Rose. I don't usually read this kind of books (prairie books) but when I saw it at the library I looked at it and it sounded kind of fun. It was great!
August 27, 2012
Good story of two cultures meeting on the plains of our country in 1857.
AR 4.1
AR 4.1
February 13, 2014
Minnow and Rose are two little girls who are different yet look pas that and become good friends.
July 11, 2011
Wonderful. Close to a five star.
July 12, 2016
Read for 5427 class
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews