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You Wouldn't Want to Be ...
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Pony Express Rider!
This lively, interactive series will enthrall young and reluctant readers by making them part of the story, inviting them to become the main character and revel in the gory, dark, horrific side of life during important eras in history.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published March 1, 2012
67 people want to read
About the author
Tom Ratliff
19 books3 followersTom teaches Connecticut History and Principles of Education at Central Connecticut State University. He also teaches in the Online Program for the Community Colleges of Connecticut. He is currently writing a book about Connecticut history for middle school-aged students. With Carole B. Shmurak he is the co-author of the Matty Trescott novels—a six-book series set in the Civil War era under the pseudonym Carroll Thomas.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 27, 2013
While the books in this series don't provide a very full portrait of the issue discussed, they do a good job of telling it like it was. When I was little I used to glorify the Pony Express. I thought it must have been a fun, important job. There must have been a lot of prestige. In truth, it was a hard, risky job, and it seemed pretty thankless.
While the Pony Express was a brief-lived part of American history, it is valuable and important to be remembered. All too many classes seem to forget it in favor of bigger events. This book brings that clip from history to life, and my kids absolutely loved it. They probably never would have been exposed to that moment in history otherwise.
While the Pony Express was a brief-lived part of American history, it is valuable and important to be remembered. All too many classes seem to forget it in favor of bigger events. This book brings that clip from history to life, and my kids absolutely loved it. They probably never would have been exposed to that moment in history otherwise.
April 24, 2014
Great little book full of factual tidbits in a fun presentation! My favorite thing is the random speech bubble that appears frequently in different pictures, offering "insights" into the thoughts of Pony Express Riders (and other "characters"). The best one? In an Oregon Trail illustration with exhausted wagon riders, the perky-looking Pony Express Rider's bubble reads, "A couple more months and you'll be there!" Snarky!
February 28, 2017
Nonfiction picture book. I love the colorful illustrations that invite young readers to learn about Pony Express riders. There are also lots of tidbits of information on each page to give readers a few more insights into what it was truly like to be one.
March 29, 2016
I love this series of children's books, they give the basics of a historical event or figure in a fun way that will interest kids.
July 31, 2015
After reading this book, it seems like the Pony Express was a large waste of money and time, especially since it only ran for 19 months.
December 31, 2015
Great for both free reading and research. Fun and lively. Great pictures and text call outs. Fun layout
March 8, 2016
Aher (8yo) read.
October 19, 2020
An engaging look at the origins and history of the Pony Express. Ratliff details the founding of the company in 1860, the establishment of stations, and dangers faced by the riders. The text discuses the Paiute War, the invention of the telegraph, and the role of the Pony Express during Abraham Lincoln's election and the brewing Civil War. 3rd-5th grade readers would find this book an entertaining way to look at this aspect of settling the West.
My biggest concern with using this book in the classroom is the artwork depicting Native Americans. The illustrations are done in a cartoonish, caricature style, which doesn't lend itself well to a sensitive and honest depiction of the Native Americans involved. The text doesn't get into much detail with how the Pony Express affected Native American lives, and doesn't describe Native Americans as the "bad guys," which I appreciated. However, the artwork seems to rely on stereotypes rather than accurate depictions of the tribes inhabiting the west. For that reason, I would hesitate to use this book in the classroom.
My biggest concern with using this book in the classroom is the artwork depicting Native Americans. The illustrations are done in a cartoonish, caricature style, which doesn't lend itself well to a sensitive and honest depiction of the Native Americans involved. The text doesn't get into much detail with how the Pony Express affected Native American lives, and doesn't describe Native Americans as the "bad guys," which I appreciated. However, the artwork seems to rely on stereotypes rather than accurate depictions of the tribes inhabiting the west. For that reason, I would hesitate to use this book in the classroom.
November 4, 2019
They tried but there were too many flaws.
March 3, 2015
The author has not idea how to pronounce Uintah.
July 17, 2015
Awesome! Sounds fun though... $25 a week
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews