The Wind Wagon [Paperback]

Celia Barker Lottridge (Author), Daniel Clifford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

In 1860 Sam Peppard is a blacksmith living in the Kansas Territory, but he is restless. He's heard about the settlers heading west in search of gold and silver. Most have packed their possessions into large prairie schooners and made their long journey to the western mines. But Sam is impatient and has an inventive mind. Despite the scoffs of neighbors, he builds his own wind wagon -- a narrow wooden cart with a large mast in the middle that will sail across the prairie powered by the wind. Sam's persistence pays off one day when the wind is right and he sets sail for the silver mines of Colorado. This account weaves U.S. history, science, and geography into a dramatic narrative. Daniel Clifford's illustrations, reminiscent of old photographs, add humor to this true story that reads like a tall tale.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Also set in Kansas, author Celia Barker Lottridge bases The Wind Wagon on the true story of Sam Peppard's dream to sail west across the windy prairies on his eye-catching invention in 1859. B&w illustrations by Daniel Clifford show wheels whizzing as the boat-like carriage passes horse-drawn wagons.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?In 1860, Sam Peppard, a blacksmith in northeast Kansas territory, invented a wagon powered by wind and set off with three friends for Denver. Their journey ended just 80 miles short of their destination when a whirlwind destroyed the wagon. This fictionalized account is crammed full of life, fun, and action. Text and pictures concentrate on the unusual invention and the main events. The black-and-white illustrations are reminiscent of old-time photographs, and the dialogue seems right for the time and place depicted. Both exhibit a subtle humor and real warmth. In two instances, a double-page illustration is placed mid-sentence, thus breaking the flow of the story, but this is a minor flaw. Incidental descriptions of geography and weather are vivid and add authenticity. A few details of the story are at odds with other sources, but the history isn't absolutely clear, and Sam's adventures are more than halfway to a tall tale anyway. Teachers may wish to compare this to Ennis Rees's wholly fictional Windwagon Smith (Prentice-Hall, 1966; o.p.) and to Glen Rounds's Mr. Yowder and the Windwagon (Holiday, 1983; o.p.). An extensive author's note explains clearly and simply the concept of historical fiction and offers a wealth of facts to supplement the tale. A welcome addition for beginning readers that will satisfy those ready to move beyond Barbara Brenner's Wagon Wheels (1978) and Nathaniel Benchley's "I Can Read History Books" (all HarperCollins).?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books (October 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888992343
• ISBN-13: 978-0888992345
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,025,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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