Wagon Train

by Courtni Crump Wright, Gershom Griffith (Illustrator)

An African-American family endures many hardships on their wagon train journey to California.

Library Binding

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[Theophilus (Theo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative for children who have never heard that African Americans went West just like Europeans. This tells the story of one family who traveled West in search of a better life after the Civil War. Should pique the curiousity of the reader to find out more about these adventurous (and mainly ignored in most history books) pioneers.

[Dead Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gives a quick and vibrant look into the life of a young girl and her family's pursuit of a new and free life in California. They encounter rattlesnakes, Native Americans, rough terrain, sweltering deserts, and a search for water on their adventure. In many books that are set in the time of Western expansion, the African American experience is scarce, and almost nonexistent in children's literature. I think it's a must-read in children's historical fiction.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading a pioneer story from the perspective of a newly freed black slave family from Virginia. Started great conversation on how it wasn’t just whites who traveled the Oregon trail to “settle” the West. The poisonous snake bite part had us all on the edge of our seats!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story following a family of exodusters