Bound for Oregon [Paperback]

Jean Van Leeuwen (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Nine-year-old Mary Ellen Todd, filled with the pioneer spirit, treks cross country in 1852 with her family in search of a better life. The Todds survive Indians and swollen rivers, but what will happen when mother has a new baby and winter arrives? Jean Van Leeuwen has written highly acclaimed book for both children and young adults, including Dear Mom, You're Ruining My Life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review of this fact-based tale of nine-year-old Mary Ellen and her family's dramatic 1852 journey along the Oregon Trail, PW said, "The contrast between the tenderness of Mary Ellen's perceptions and the hardships of the frontier is deeply moving." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Adding details about events and people to an account of Mary Ellen Todd's 2,000-mile trek from Arkansas to Oregon in the 1850s as written down by Todd's daughter, Van Leeuwen has created a historical novel told in the voice of a 10-year-old child. The story begins with the preparations and the difficulty of leaving home and family. It chronicles the hardships the family encountered: raging rivers to cross, bad weather, sickness and death, limited food, and the constant push to beat the first snows of winter. There are also small pleasures, including the birth of a brother. Readers will see how choices made often make the difference between success or failure, life or death. Characterizations are well done, showing the varying personalities of people on the trail. For example, the determination and faith of the father are shown consistently as the basis for his actions. This is a convincing picture of a pioneer journey that does a good job of showing the tremendous sacrifices people made to follow their dream of a better life.
Jane Gardner Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140383190
• ISBN-13: 978-0140383195
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5+, October 4, 2001

By 

A 10-year old reader (Ipswich) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bound for Oregon (Paperback)

This book ought to get 100 stars. It is a great and realistic account of the trip from Arkansas to Oregon that Mary Ellen Todd's family took. It tells a vivid and seemingly true tale about the six month journey, the life Mary Ellen and her family found in Oregon, and Mary Ellen's reluctance to part with her hometown and reletives--most of all, her grandmother. You can meet Mary Ellen, her parents, her sisters, and her brother, as well as John, the Grants, and other travellers that they encounter along the way. While reading this, I was carried of in a time machiene to join in the trip. I hope that nobody will ever write an accusing review for such a wonderful book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down, November 9, 2000

By 

Rebekah (Eagle River, AK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bound for Oregon (Paperback)

This was an excelent book. It would be a good book to read when studying the Oregon Trail. It is full of excitment and adventure. The best part is that it is told from the viewpoint of a nine-year-old which students can relate to. This book is based off of a true story and the author did a wonderful job in her research making it as realastic and accurate as possible. It is great for all ages!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent real life account of a trip on the Oregon Trail, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bound for Oregon (Paperback)

My third graders couldn't get enough of this book! They loved it--all 21 of them. This book gives great descriptions of a nine-yera old who travels on the Oregon Trail. The vocabulary and visual images are awesome!