Wagons West!

by Roy Gerrard

Saddle up for excitement on the Oregon Trail!

Way back in eighteen-fifty, when Americans were thrifty,
The times were hard, so most folks had to toil;
My mama, my pa and me labored hard to guarantee
That we'd earn a living from the barren soil.

In this rowdy adventure, the narrator and her parents and neighbors embark on a wild journey on the Oregon Trail, hoping to find rich green land out West. These hardy pioneers and their trusty leader, Buckskin Dan, fight off outlaws near Fort Laramie, rescue a lost Indian boy, and raft down the rocky Columbia River, eventually starting new lives in the fertile Willamette Valley. Readers young and old will relish Roy Gerrard's rollicking verse and distinctive illustrative style.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Family, Friendship, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Christina Cinfio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for any of us who loved playing Oregon trail as a kid. It's a story about families travels out west and the challenges they faced. It brings your through the trail, talking about the different parts of the country and the different kinds of people the families encountered. It's a great picture book to read to kids to talk about the differences in times. They couldn't exactly hop on a plane to travel, drive to the store to get food, and stay in a hotel.

[Emily Gingrich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book could be used for social studies, I feel as though it is not a true depiction of what might've happened on the journey out west. I think this is an okay book to read as long as you find another book that takes on the perspective of the Native American tribes as well. ( I would not pick this as a read-aloud book)

[Caitlyn Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a wonderful read for children interested in Historical Fiction. It takes place back in the 1850's and shows the experiences and challenges this family faces as they travel the Oregon Trail.

[Marisa Lightfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good addition to a history lesson. As this book shows the struggle a family faces as they travel the Oregon Trail.

[Kyra Rickenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is a great book to introduce students to the Oregan Trail.

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhyming story of a Oregon Trail journey.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

. . . doesn't happen in this book, which presents a much happier version of life on the Oregon Trail.

As always, Gerrard's artwork is a delight. I particularly enjoyed his painting of the wagons floating on rafts down the Columbia River.

[Melanie, Aaron, Annie, and Mary Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read by: Annie
Genre: historical fiction
Author: Roy Gerrard
Interest Level: 2-4
Grade Level Equivalent: not available


This long form poem with cute and unique illustrations tell the story of girl and her family who leave their home to travel west to Oregon in covered wagons. Along the way they meet many different native Americans and encounter a gang of bandits. Eventually they make it and begin their new life in the lush, fertile lands of Oregon. It's a bit long and the poetry is mediocre, but it could be a good intro to a unit on western expansion.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful illustrations. Historically inaccurate. American Indians would never have been allowed to intermingle with white people in a trading post at Fort Laramie. White travelers would not have taken on an Indian child. If they had the child's tribe would have raided, not nicely met them, somehow effectively communicated and then assisted the party on their travels.

Get it right people, or don't write the book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story and the details about how the families came to go west and all the challenges they faced. The rhyme was a little forced at times, but I imagine it would work better as a read aloud. I found the illustrations to be charming as well. It did remind me a lot of playing Oregon Trail as a child.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful picture book that shows the hardships, friendships, and determination that was part of the Westward movement on the Oregon Trail. With expressive, imaginative illustrations, this book will take the readers on a journey full of promise. Even the young will get a glimpse of these pioneering people as they made for a land to call their home.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of some brave souls from the Midwest making the trek to Oregon for better farm land and a better life. The wagon train encounters everything from bandits to friendly Native Americans.

Really interesting illustrations.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family joins a wagon train in 1850 to travel west 600 miles to Oregon.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd illustrations. Some awkward rhyming.

[Sabrina Winsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to teach about westward expansion and rhyming. Cute pictures.
Picture Book

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kids westerns full of Indians, bandits, and fun.