The Cabin Faced West (Paperback)

~ (Author) "ANN HAMILTON swept the last of the day's dust out of the door into the sunset..." (more)
Key Phrases: flowered plates, Arthur Scott, Hamilton Hill, General Washington (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fritz's first historical book for children tells of Ann, who longs for her old life but learns to be proud of her new home in the wilderness. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

For Ann Hamilton, life out west was anything but adventurous. In fact, she had never been lonelier. She longed for the ease and comfort of the days with friends back in Gettysburg-until a stranger rode into Hamilton Hill and changed her life forever.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (August 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698119363
• ISBN-13: 978-0698119369
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,171 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #7 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( F ) > Fritz, Jean
  #66 in	Books > Children's Books > Educational > Explore the World > Fiction > United States
  #77 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > Fiction > Colonial

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great intro for the younger reader..., April 4, 2006

By	Patricia Belanger - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I actually chose this book to read for a graduate level children's literature class. As a school teacher I feel this is a wonderful easy read for children beginning to tackle the longer chapter books.

Ann Hamiltion is the main character, in which girls who are about 10 years old, could relate to. The entire Hamilton family seems to have embraced their new life out west except for Ann. She longs for her friends and old life she has left behind. There are not any girls who are Ann's age for her to spend time with and not many neighbors nearby. Ann is left to tend to her new vegetable garden and help her mother with chores around the home and care for her new baby brother. Ann tries to pass the days by writing in her journal. There are a few travelers that pass through town along with some surprises that make the days more exciting for Ann and her family.

The descriptions of the setting are very vivid and helps the reader to really imagine what is going on. This story would be a terrific read-aloud for children who are being introduced to historical fiction or for children who are interested in the pioneer days. It is a great way to show children what life was like in pioneer days, especially for children in the 8-12 year old age group.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Historical Book for Kids, March 24, 2001

By	K. Giorlando "amateur social historian" (Eastpointe, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cabin Faced West (Paperback)

I am very surprised at the number of poor reviews this book has gotten. As a kid, I thought it was great BECAUSE of the low action format, and that the concentration was on what life was like for the REAL heroes of our nation during a most underrated time in our nation's history. Ann HATED the idea of moving 'out west' (western Pennsylvania) at the beginning of the story, but, by the end, she learned just what an impact every day people such as she and her family had in helping our nation's growth. Such interesting historical facts like not letting the cooking fire go out (no lighters or matches in the 18th century!), and showing, pretty accurately, life without electricty, TV, videos, radios, cars, or even paper to write on. No, there's not much action, but there IS much more, especially for the youngster who has an interest in the past. When I was ten, this book was a favorite - even though the main character was a girl - taboo at that age - and I recently reread it and I found I STILL could not put it down. Not every life was filled with fighting and killing. And 'The Cabin Faced West' is one of those that show life as it really was in the late 18th century America. If I could, I'd give it 10 stars!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding- interesting and excellently written, May 9, 2003

By	"nomoretwaddle" (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cabin Faced West (Library Binding)

What better way for a child to learn history than through reading a well-written, fascinating story set in a previous era? This book is outstanding in that category. The history is authentic, the story engaging, the reading level accessible for an elementary age reader. I especially appreciated the realistic and warm family relationships in the book. Beautiful themes of adjusting to change and accepting new challenges. My 6-year-old daughter enjoyed it as much as I did.