Wagon Wheels (I Can Read Book 3) [Hardcover]

Barbara Brenner (Author), Don Bolognese (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: I Can Read Book 3

A young African-American boy describes the wilderness adventures of his pioneering family in Kansas in the 1870s.

Notable Children's Books of 1978 (ALA)
A Reading Rainbow Selection
Notable 1978 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3–In 1878, the three Muldie brother—ages eleven, eight, and three—and their father travel from Kentucky to Nicodemus, Kansas. Living in a dugout like the other black pioneer families, they endure hunger and hardships before spring comes. Ed Muldie leaves the boys to take care of each other while he looks for a better homestead further west. They hunt, fish, and stay in the dugout until their father's letter arrives months later with a rough map. Following the Solomon River, they make the 150-mile journey. Their courage and resourcefulness keep them safe and bring them to their father. Based on actual events, Barbara Brenner's tale (Harper, 1978) is told by Johnny, the oldest boy. Steven Michael Harper gives all the characters distinctive voices. His slow, expressive reading gives weight to the simple sentences of the text and allows youngsters to follow along. Sound effects—prairie winds, water in the creek bed, the sound of horses, and banjo music—all make life on the Kansas prairie very real. Page-turn signals are optional. This exceptionally fine production raises a significant piece of historical fiction to a very high level.Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Barbara Brenner's curiosity about the world ranges far and wide. Her interests are reflected in the wide scope of her quality fiction and nonfiction. Some of her best-selling titles include Wagon Wheels and Voices: Poetry and Art from Around the World, which was an ALA Notable Book for Children and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. One Small Place in a Tree is a companion book to the striking One Small Place by the Sea. Barbara Brenner lives with her husband, artist Fred Brenner, in Hawley, Pennsylvania.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Revised edition (May 9, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060206683
• ISBN-13: 978-0060206680
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,564,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Fiction Book, July 26, 2000

By 

Jill A. Brenczewski "2girls" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wagon Wheels (I Can Read Book 3) (Paperback)

There aren't many stories written about African-Americanpioneers. This story tells how the Muldie family traveled West fromKentucky to Kansas after hearing about the Homestead Act. That is what makes Wagon Wheels so special. This historical fiction story was written with the help of memoirs from the town's teacher who decided to keep a history log on the town. On the last page of the book, it explains to the reader that most of all the events really took place in the Muldie family's travels West. This is an excellent example of historical fiction that could be used in the classroom.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, April 13, 2006

By 

Learning All The Time "It's Never Too Late to... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Wagon Wheels (I Can Read Book 3) (Paperback)

Another great offering from the "I Can Read Book" series. This book is also a Reading Rainbow Book, and it is a true story!

My kids loved the fact this amazing little story about black pioneers in 1878 is true. Considering that I used to have qualms leaving them alone in the house while I went to our mailbox at the end of our pipestem, they find it fascinating that three boys (8, 11, and 3) were left alone while their father went further west to find a good piece of land to settle. Then he sends a letter with a map and tells them to come find him 150 miles away - which they do. Simply amazing.

Straightforward writing, simple sentences, my 1st and 2nd graders loved it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It is really extreme!, October 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wagon Wheels (I Can Read Book 3) (Library Binding)

You will love the part when the boys are alone because they found friends that helped them. The main character is Little Willy. I liked him. You should read it. I am eight years old.