The Cabin Faced West [Paperback]

Jean Fritz (Author)

Book Description

"A satisfying story which conveys some of the loneliness, despair, and hardships of pioneer life" (Booklist) from the recipient of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fritz's first historical book for children tells of Ann, who longs for her old life but learns to be proud of her new home in the wilderness. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Considered the top biographer writing for young people, Jean Fritz grew up in China. She was awarded a National Humanities Medal in 2003 and received a Newbery Honor for Homesick: My Own Story. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (July 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140322566
• ISBN-13: 978-0140322569
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,538,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding- interesting and excellently written, May 9, 2003

By 

E. Fox "nomoretwaddle" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cabin Faced West (Library Binding)

What better way for a child to learn history than through reading a well-written, fascinating story set in a previous era? This book is outstanding in that category. The history is authentic, the story engaging, the reading level accessible for an elementary age reader. I especially appreciated the realistic and warm family relationships in the book. Beautiful themes of adjusting to change and accepting new challenges. My 6-year-old daughter enjoyed it as much as I did.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Historical Book for Kids, March 24, 2001

By 

Ken Roberts "social historian" (Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Cabin Faced West (Paperback)

I am very surprised at the number of poor reviews this book has gotten. As a kid, I thought it was great BECAUSE of the low action format, and that the concentration was on what life was like for the REAL heroes of our nation during a most underrated time in our nation's history. Ann HATED the idea of moving 'out west' (western Pennsylvania) at the beginning of the story, but, by the end, she learned just what an impact every day people such as she and her family had in helping our nation's growth. Such interesting historical facts like not letting the cooking fire go out (no lighters or matches in the 18th century!), and showing, pretty accurately, life without electricty, TV, videos, radios, cars, or even paper to write on. No, there's not much action, but there IS much more, especially for the youngster who has an interest in the past. When I was ten, this book was a favorite - even though the main character was a girl - taboo at that age - and I recently reread it and I found I STILL could not put it down. Not every life was filled with fighting and killing. And 'The Cabin Faced West' is one of those that show life as it really was in the late 18th century America. If I could, I'd give it 10 stars!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story You Won't Forget!, May 18, 2000

By 

Levi Fry Intermediate Student - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cabin Faced West (Paperback)

The Cabin Faced West is an intriguing story of a family that has moved west, which is such a remote place that it is only populated by two families.The two families contain nothing but male figures (that are Anne's own age!) Anne Hamilton is having a rough time working out this problem. She must stay strong and overcome these dissimilarities and strive to be friends with the outgoing, down- to- earth, Andy McPhale. She has almost given up when suddenly a visitor changes her thoughts and gives her the ability to go on. I think this book is very tasteful, witty, and also seems very real. I would definetly recommend this book to a friend . If you like the Little House On The Prairie you'll love this book.If you like mysteries,adventures, surprises,or you just enjoy reading books on the early frontiers,and pioneers, you'll love this book.As I said I would definetly recommend this book to a friend , as I recommend it to you.*****