The Buffalo Train Ride (Texas Trilogy) [Hardcover]

Desiree Webber (Author), Sandy Shropshire (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Texas Trilogy

Although millions of buffalo once covered the great plains, the animals were hunted almost to extinction in the 1880s. In this compelling story of perseverance, the reader is led through a tale of tragedy followed by triumph. When land was a valuable as gold, conservationists fought to establish a wildlife preserve for bison. Fifteen buffalo from the New York Zoological Society were loaded onto a train, and three men were assigned to stand guard on the 1800-mile trip.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Webber begins with a brief overview of the importance of the American buffalo (bison) to Plains Indians and a look at how the settling of the "Wild West" in the 1870s and 1880s almost drove the animal into extinction. She then focuses on her main concern, the determination of a few American citizens, especially William Hornaday of the New York Zoological Society, to make sure that the bison survived. After establishing a small herd in New York City, Hornaday turned his sights to Oklahoma where his efforts and those of several others, including President Teddy Roosevelt, led to the creation of the Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve, which was stocked with buffalo from the New York Zoo. This unusual story is sure to interest animal lovers and students concerned about conservation and endangered wildlife. Period photographs as well as line drawings and maps accompany the text, and a substantial bibliography lists fiction involving the buffalo as well as nonfiction. Although particularly appropriate for the Plains states, this book has a broad enough appeal for libraries across the country.
Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Gr. 4-7: This unusual story is sure to interest animal lovers and students concerned about conservation and endangered wildlife. -- School Library Journal, March 1, 2000

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Eakin Press (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571682759
• ISBN-13: 978-1571682758
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,220,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars From a family of readers, January 11, 2002

By 

"dminor" (Oklahoma City, Ok USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Buffalo Train Ride (Texas Trilogy) (Hardcover)

I read this book aloud to my family, and we all enjoyed it. My 11-year-old son still refers to it. The book tells a sad story with a positive ending. It was an interesting and inspirational story about how a species was saved and what a big difference a few people can make. What the reviewer above may have taken for lame attempts at humor, we read as successful attempts to explain events and situations in simple ways that a modern reader -- especially a child -- can understand. In my opinion, there's too much fluff and political correctness in children's literature today. This well-researched book that made note of a true story was a refreshing break from the monotony. This isn't our favorite book ever, but we've added it to our permanent library to reread and to lend to friends.