Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Wagon Wheels, Barbara Brenner & Don Bolognese

Wagon Wheels, Barbara Brenner, illus Don Bolognese.  ISBN: 9780064440523
Read Sept 30, 2013

Juv "I Can Read" book, African-American pioneers, Native Americans

Really excellent summary of the adventures of the Muldie boys, who moved to Nicodemus, Kansas (a black settlement) as pioneers, and then lived alone at ages 11, 8, and 3 while their father staked out a claim about 150 miles further west.  Then, as the kicker, they're summoned by post with short directions, and travel the entire way themselves to get to their new home!!

A sub-plot near the beginning focuses on the kindness of the Native Americans to the settlement when they were starving during a harsh winter.  Another deals with prairie fires.  

Very short and direct (for beginning readers) but interesting plot and good pacing.  Compare with the Little House books or the (expurgated) Sadie Rose books.

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