Facing West: A Story of the Oregon Trail (Once Upon America) [Paperback]

Kathleen V. Kudlinski (Author), James Watling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Once Upon America

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. As his family sets out from Missouri to Oregon, young Ben wonders whether he will have more trouble with the dangers of the journey or his debilitating asthma.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Another in the Once Upon America series, Facing West is the story of 11-year-old Ben, whose family is setting out for Oregon in 1845. Ben, who suffers from asthma, is frightened by all the dangers that lie ahead: hunger, rattlesnakes, hostile Indians, bears. And he feels guilty, too, because he thinks that his parents have decided to move to Oregon because the doctor has told them that the climate there will be better for his lungs. But as the journey gets under way, Ben becomes friends with a grown-up named Pete, who leads the wagon train, and who helps Ben overcome his fears and teaches him how to handle his illness. Well written, historically sound and sympathetic to the needs of the special- needs child, Facing West is a fine first introduction to the novel and a useful tool in the classroom. (Fiction. 7-11) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590673017
• ISBN-13: 978-0140369144
• ASIN: 0140369147
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facing West, September 21, 2008

By 

Teacher "Mrs. G." (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Facing West: A Story of the Oregon Trail (Once Upon America) (Hardcover)

This book was absolutely perfect for my third grade literature circle group. It was just the right amount of pages for our meetings. The story followed the journey of one family on the Oregon Trail. We actually heard their story from the start to the end when they made it to Oregon. The students enjoyed reading the book and were not overwhelmed by the length.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back in the west, September 18, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Facing West: A Story of the Oregon Trail (Once Upon America) (Paperback)

Ben is the main person in this story. They went west in 1845. His family went to Oregon. His doctor said it was better for him out there. I like the story very much. I liked how they showed the old pictures of the wagons going down the road. I liked the part where Pete pushed Ben and he hit his head against the tree. I also aliked the part where the oxen starting pulling the wagons and Ben sat on the ground. I didn't like the way Pete walked up and started talking to Ben. I thought it would be a surprise meeting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for those studying the Oregon Trail, January 21, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Facing West: A Story of the Oregon Trail (Once Upon America) (Paperback)

Note: this is a fairly short book of around 50+ pages, so not too long.

"Facing West" is an historical fiction novel based on the Oregon Trail. The book's time period is the spring of 1845 and describes how people traveled by wagon train to get to Oregon. The main characters in the novel are Ben, a young boy and his family, Zack, another boy who becomes Ben's friend, and Pete, a wilderness guide who leads the wagon train west. The story's plot tells of the dangers along the trail: some dangers include the lack of water, illness and wagon accidents.

Because I have studied the Oregon Trail, the book's plot was familar to me. The author's description of the trail is so realistic that I felt that I was in the book itself. In particular when the wagon train was in the desert, I could feel my mouth dry with thirst just like the characters. My favorite part of the story is when Ben displays great courage after an oxen accident when Ben has to take his sister's place even though the trail dust sets off his asthma. I thought it was a wonderful book selection for people who enjoy western stories. You should read this book because of its adventurous scenarios and the surprising choices the characters make.