Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail [Hardcover]

Elvira Woodruff (Author)

Book Description

Illus. in black-and-white. In 1851, 12-year-old orphan Austin Ives joins a wagon train headed for California. As they make their way across the country, Austin writes home to his brother Levi, describing day-to-day life on the Overland Trail. In his own observant and vigorous voice, Austin tells of the everyday happenings--hunting game and fording streams--as well as more dramatic episodes, from devastating illness to complex encounters with Indians.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This epistolary novel, about a boy on a wagon train in 1851, was inspired by pioneer diaries. Ages 10-13.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Austin Ives, 12, heads West in 1851 with a wagon train and writes letters to his younger brother, who remains in Pennsylvania. An orphan, Austin is traveling with the Morrison family and plans to settle on the Oregon land his father claimed before he died. The book's epistolary form makes exposition somewhat awkward and doesn't allow for much sustaining of mood. Still, the boy's voice rings true as he describes his adventures and draws the characters of the Morrisons; his friends, boaster Hiram and abused Frank; and the colorful trail cook, Reuben, who wears a coat covered with buttons from all the folks he's met in his travels. Woodruff doesn't spare the real sorrows of pioneer journeys-illness, death, lack of water, fights between travelers, and the threat of hostile Indians. Austin's final difficulties are resolved a bit too easily, but readers will enjoy the happy ending. This tale, with its occasional pencil illustrations and short chapters, would make a good classroom read-aloud.
Sally Bates Goodroe, Houston Public Library
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

• Hardcover: 119 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (April 19, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787282715
• ISBN-13: 978-0679946410
• ASIN: 0679946411
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,507,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elvira Woodruff is the author of over twenty picture books and novels for young readers including George Washington's Socks. Most recent books include Fearless and Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, and the letter format made it even more realistic., August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail (Paperback)

I read this book a couple of years ago (to my son). We both loved it. The events that happen to the boy as he travels along the Oregon Trail gave my son a realistic account of what it was like for the people who lived it. At the end of each letter he would beg me to go on, and it was so interesting I never needed much convincing. Even though the reading level is probably 4th-6th grade, I have decided to use the book with my special education students (grades 10, 11, 12). I predict they will love it too!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oregon or Bust!!!, April 25, 2004

By 

Teacher (Eastern Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail (Paperback)

We recently read this as an adjunct to an Oregon Trail unit. Most of the fourth grade students could relate to what was going on in the story, especially the relationships that parents and children have. An excellent tool to "hook the learner" and keep them interested. I would recommend this to teachers and students. It convinced me that I need to visit the real Oregon Trail before I teach this again!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and author!, May 7, 2000

By 

"asherthesmasher" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail (Paperback)

I've met the author and would recomend any one of her books to you! This book is about a boy who writes to his brother while he(austin) is on the Oregon Trail. There is a sequel coming or is out that's called dear Austin. It's about Levi Writing back to austin.