Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the Donner Party [Paperback]

Rachel K. Laurgaard (Author), Elizabeth Michaels (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In the winter of 1846, the Donner Party was stranded by heavy snows in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The pioneers endured bitter hardships, and many of them died. But some survived, including 8-year-old Patty Reed, a girl filled with dignity and determination in the face of mortal danger. This is her story, as told by Dolly, the wooden doll she kept hidden in her dress.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rachel Kelley Laurgaard wrote Patty Reed's Doll as a master's thesis at Sacramento State College in 1956, where she also taught English. She lived for many years in Oakland, where she died in 2000.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Tomato Enterprises (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961735724
• ISBN-13: 978-0961735722
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patty Reed's Doll, January 8, 2000

By 

Bobbie Treloggen (Winnetka CA, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the Donner Party (Paperback)

Patty Reed's Doll is an excellent account of the Donner Party and all the other families that were part of the Donner Tragedy.The book describes the families in such detail you feel like you're traveling with them. The Reeds are one of the families that are traveling with the Donner Party. The story is an excellent way to teach elementary school children as well as adults what trailblazing was really like and the severe hardships that went with it. As an elementary school teacher I highly recommend this book. It is an asset to studying California history.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lingering, November 18, 2001

By 

Karrel "Karrel-TampaBay" (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the Donner Party (Paperback)

I read this book in 1964 as a 4th grader in Northern California learning state history. I have never forgotten Patty or her doll (which used to be on display at Sutter's Fort). When my children were small it was not in print and I am so happy to see it is again. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about American history from a totally different perspective. That of a little wooden doll, chosen amongst many beautiful sisters, to make a rough trip in the pocket of her owner. You will never forget Patty Reed, or her doll, I know I haven't. I am buying the book to keep to read and to my grandchildren.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was great!!!, March 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the Donner Party (Turtleback)

I'm an 8th grader and recently we've been learning all about the westward movement in the mid-1800's. Now, I haven't been read TO since about third grade, but our school librarian has been coming in to my history class and reading Patty Reed's Doll to us. I loved the story, and reccommend it to people of all ages. It was very educational, too, because it made me realize how hard the journey must have been. It made me feel like I was traveling with the Donner party across America. If you're looking for a good historical fiction, I suggest you try this book. IT'S THE BEST!!! :-)