Customer Reviews

Westward to Home: Joshua's Diary, The Oregon Trail, 1848 (My America)

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We just added "Westward to Home" and several other "My America" books to our elementary school library, so it remains to be seen how popular this particular title will be.

Author Patricia Hermes does a fine job of telling the story of a nine-year old boy, through brief journal entries, about life on the Oregon Trail in 1848. While we get a kid's eye view of the hardships, the people, and some of the typical events associated with traveling west by covered wagon, I'm not convinced that this is a genuinely BOY'S book.

I have traveled along the Oregon Trail, from Independence, MO, to Walla Walla, WA, and I was once a boy. That makes me no expert, but I think a nine-year old kid on the Oregon Trail would be less interested in the interpersonal difficulties of the adults in the wagon train, and more fascinated with guns, never-before-seen animals such as pronghorns, prairie dogs, snakes, lizards, and buffalo, and some of the amazing landforms that come into view after a monotonous trek across the flat prairies.

There was a brief mention of Chimney Rock, which would be awe inspiring for any kid to see and muse about. And what about Register Rock where a kid would surely stop to scratch in his own name and read the signatures of those who had gone on before? One would think a boy would be more amazed at his first views of the Rockies. And even when Joshua is curious about the Indians he sees in the forts along the way, I'd expect him to be more fascinated with the way they looked and talked, what they wore, how they smelled and how they did things like eat and smoke. This could also be said for the soldiers and trappers he must've seen at these forts.

I also can't imagine a nine-year old boy spending so much time in his journal worrying about a girl who was "sweet" on him. Instead, I would like to have seen his male friendships developed a bit more fully.

Having said all this, I still think this book is a welcome addition to middle grade titles about the Oregon Trail. The overall picture of the life, people and hardships, including many tragic deaths, is realistic. I anticipate that more girls will be reading this than boys, but it fills a need at this level.

Nine-year-old Joseph McCullough, who lives on a farm in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1848, is excited when his parents announce that the family will be traveling west to Oregon. Unlike most settlers who head west, the McCulloughs are fortunate that many of their friends and family will also be making the journey. Still, nothing can prepare Joshua for the hardships he and his family will face on the journey. And when the time comes, can Joshua conquer his greatest fear to save someone in his family? This was an excellent historical novel for younger readers, especially those who enjoyed the other My America books.

Joshua is excited when he is told that his family is going to be going to Oregon. Joshua is also fortunate because his aunt,uncle and cousins are also coming with him. The only thing he doesn't like is his grandfather isn't coming. However Joshua gets a surprise when his grandfather shows up unexpectantly and decides to come with them. Joshua stares at death many times as many people die in their wagon group. However Joshua also manages to have fun as every young boy should do as goes on a bufflo hunt. However when one of his family members gets into trouble crossing a river will Joshua be brave enough to save her? Will his family ever make it to Oregon safe and sound? This is a great book and I think anyone who is interested in the Oregon Trail should read this book!

Westward to home is a great book for 3rd graders. I recommend this because it gives a glimpse into what it was like in the olden days. They lived and traveled in a covered wagon and my favorite part was when they ate their pet dog and their horse.

I think my students will like this book and find it interesting but I am bewildered at the willingness of the author in adding gruesome episodes with little explanation. I find short passages that mention a gruesome death or injury and just go on to the next page. My main interest in using this book is for ESOL students whose reading levels are low but need American history lessons. This book fits the bill in history and reading level but I wonder if the book could have been written with a more comfortable fit. Students are going to end up with many more questions than a feeling of clarity. I will have to try to make that up.

This book is about a young boy traveling the Oregon Trail back in the day. He has many hardships and has to deal with lots of problems. They have to deal with death, sickness, and many wagon problems. The diary tells of how he feels and really shows his true side.

I thought Westward to Home was an okay book. It was about a boy named Joshua and his family moving to Oregon. At the beginning of the book Joshua's grandfather didnt want to go to Oregon with his family. He thought it would be hard for him to leave his wife's grave. He eventually decided to go to Oregon with his family. Joshua was excited. Joshua's grandfather surprises his whole family with something he does on the trail. This book is best for boys. They can connect with how he feels and what he goes through.

This book brings you back to 1848. It shows you the hardships people had to face as they struggled to Oregon. Loved ones, live stock, and whole families were lost forever. As Joshua struggles to Oregon with his family he meets new people, forms new friendships, and meets up with unexpected love ones. As Joshua gets ready to leave Independence, MO. His beloved grandfather changes his mind and decides to come with Joshua and his family. As they go along Joshua's grandfather meets a young lady and marries her, this is a big shock to everyone. Joshua overcomes his fear of water and finds the courage to go on.

I loved this book so much because I like Historlical fiction books and I liked the oldern days. I also liked the coverd wagons. I dislike that people died in this book and that they had to kill animals.

Patricia Hermes' account of this dangerous exploration needs quiet time to listen. The young boy's relationship with his grandfather becomes my chief reason for buying and recommending this book to grandparents who often care for children's needs more diligently than birth parents.
The author manifests a unique sense of humor when she creates the name for "ME-TOO". Capturing the surf and the breeze the story, WESTWARD TO HOME renders the journey as nature's spiritual turf. Mary Kelly,Toms River, NJ.