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The Oregon Trail #2
The Oregon Trail: Danger at the Haunted Gate: Book 2: An Interactive Survival Story of 1850s Pioneers and Choices for Kids
Continue west, young pioneer—the second leg of your journey starts here—and it won't be any easier. Natural disasters, disease, and dishonest people are challenges you'll face in the wild frontier. Now, trek on the Oregon Trail to Devil's Gate! This is the second installment of four books that will take you all the way to Oregon Territory— if you make the right choices.
In book two of this exciting choose-your-own-trail series, it's 1850 and you've been traveling for the past six weeks on foot for fifteen miles a day with your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen. And congratulations—you made it to Chimney Rock. But your journey has just begun. You need to get to Devil's Gate, the halfway mark on your 2,000-mile journey west. Keep watch! Danger awaits on your way to those eerie cliffs.
Which path will you choose in the face of danger? With twenty-two possible endings, choose wrong and you'll never make it to Devil's Gate. Choose right and blaze a trail that gets you closer to Oregon City!
In book two of this exciting choose-your-own-trail series, it's 1850 and you've been traveling for the past six weeks on foot for fifteen miles a day with your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen. And congratulations—you made it to Chimney Rock. But your journey has just begun. You need to get to Devil's Gate, the halfway mark on your 2,000-mile journey west. Keep watch! Danger awaits on your way to those eerie cliffs.
Which path will you choose in the face of danger? With twenty-two possible endings, choose wrong and you'll never make it to Devil's Gate. Choose right and blaze a trail that gets you closer to Oregon City!
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2018
16 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 9, 2019
3.5 Stars I died a lot more times in this book than the first. : ( It was still enjoyable, but I felt like a lot of the choices were harder.
*There is a summary of the first book at the beginning, so it looks like the series can be read out of order.
*There is a summary of the first book at the beginning, so it looks like the series can be read out of order.
December 27, 2020
This one was harder to get the ending than the first one and I died twice and settled somewhere else before I got to the ending where it leads to the next book. I cant wait to see what choices await in the next book!
May 2, 2025
Just as good as the last. The guide in the back of this book was more helpfull than last book, and there was more adventure in it.
March 27, 2019
Second verse (much the), same as the first, though if anything, this was a bit harder? I died or gave up way more times on this book than on the first one. Same quality, though, and fun.
October 16, 2025
good book
January 11, 2019
If you read the first book in this series, you know what you're in for. Exactly what the book covers promise--adventures on the Oregon Trail, like the iconic computer game, and the ability to choose your own endings on those adventures. If you haven't read that book, it's OK. While this story starts off a quarter of the way into the journey, it's well-explained in the opening chapter. Each book comes with a map in the front and some historical context in a addendum at the back of the book as well.
Sometimes the endings don't seem directly related to the choices you make--others very much do (For example, I had a pretty good feeling using gun powder to start a fire was a bad idea.). I read through every possible ending in this book--there's more than 20 of them, and only one of them results in reaching Devil's Gate. Some of them are pretty gruesome (although not gory or detailed)--buffalo stampedes, gunpowder on a fire, dysentery, gangrene, etc. Others, like in the first book, aren't necessarily deadly, but simply ways that colonists didn't continue on the trail--integrating into local communities and/or finding economic opportunities along the way that seemed more lucrative than the land waiting in Oregon. They could also be non-lethal failures--wagons destroyed in various ways, oxen dying, other family or party members dying, etc. I think these books do an excellent job bringing the colonist experience to life in a way that is pretty respectful of indigenous communities and realistic about the sometimes exciting and sometimes gruesome and/or terrifying reality of life on the trail--all of this while keeping it age appropriate for a juvenile audience.
Travels on the Trail are broken into 4 books for this series--I'll probably stop here with book 2, now that I know how the series basically goes. But it was a nice easy and nostalgic reading experience, perfect for a boring sick day at home. A fun book that should appeal to children of all genders that could also be a good starting point for discussions with kids about the nature of our colonial expansion west and the resulting loss of native lands and life. Worth sharing with the young readers in your life.
Sometimes the endings don't seem directly related to the choices you make--others very much do (For example, I had a pretty good feeling using gun powder to start a fire was a bad idea.). I read through every possible ending in this book--there's more than 20 of them, and only one of them results in reaching Devil's Gate. Some of them are pretty gruesome (although not gory or detailed)--buffalo stampedes, gunpowder on a fire, dysentery, gangrene, etc. Others, like in the first book, aren't necessarily deadly, but simply ways that colonists didn't continue on the trail--integrating into local communities and/or finding economic opportunities along the way that seemed more lucrative than the land waiting in Oregon. They could also be non-lethal failures--wagons destroyed in various ways, oxen dying, other family or party members dying, etc. I think these books do an excellent job bringing the colonist experience to life in a way that is pretty respectful of indigenous communities and realistic about the sometimes exciting and sometimes gruesome and/or terrifying reality of life on the trail--all of this while keeping it age appropriate for a juvenile audience.
Travels on the Trail are broken into 4 books for this series--I'll probably stop here with book 2, now that I know how the series basically goes. But it was a nice easy and nostalgic reading experience, perfect for a boring sick day at home. A fun book that should appeal to children of all genders that could also be a good starting point for discussions with kids about the nature of our colonial expansion west and the resulting loss of native lands and life. Worth sharing with the young readers in your life.
November 4, 2019
I'm reading this book series with my 8 year old son and we love it. If you read the notes at the back of the book and follow their advice you should be able to make some pretty informed decisions in this choose your own adventure book. There is only one route that will get you through the whole book and I am proud to say that we made all the correct choices on the first try. We were curious how some of the other choices would have turned out so would read some of them before reading our real choice. I thought that this was a great book to introduce my son to some American history as well as American geography since many of the land formations that the pioneers saw are still visible today.
October 30, 2018
reading with X.
He is getting the hang of this. we only died once and only had to start over twice to make ut to the end.
He is getting the hang of this. we only died once and only had to start over twice to make ut to the end.
Read
March 16, 2021Jackson read this Oregon Trail choose your own adventure book on his own 6/4/20
August 12, 2018
First sentence: You are a young pioneer headed by wagon train to Oregon Territory in the year 1850. You've already traveled almost six hundred miles from Independence, Missouri, to Chimney Rock, in what is now Nebraska. You and your family are on the second leg of your journey across the wild frontier--and you're aiming to reach Devil's Gate, mysterious cliffs in what later becomes Wyoming. Once you get there, your journey West will be nearly over.
Premise/plot: Danger At The Haunted Gate is the second book in Scholastic's OREGON TRAIL series by Jesse Wiley. All four books are choose-your-own-adventure. There are twenty-two possible endings but only ONE ending will see you successfully past Devil's Gate.
My thoughts: I enjoyed the first book. I did. I enjoyed the second one as well. I think that the books are in part a way to test if young readers will follow directions. At the start of each book, the author tells young readers to read the guide to the trail at the end of the book. This guide contains obvious hints on how to make the right choices. Some of the decisions then become obvious. Emphasis on some. There are some things the guide couldn't possibly help you predict!
While some of the twenty-one endings lead to DEATH or almost certain death, not all of them are that dismal. Some just allow for dreams to change OR circumstances. For example, if you become paralyzed...chances are you're not going to keep going to Oregon.
I would recommend the series.
Premise/plot: Danger At The Haunted Gate is the second book in Scholastic's OREGON TRAIL series by Jesse Wiley. All four books are choose-your-own-adventure. There are twenty-two possible endings but only ONE ending will see you successfully past Devil's Gate.
My thoughts: I enjoyed the first book. I did. I enjoyed the second one as well. I think that the books are in part a way to test if young readers will follow directions. At the start of each book, the author tells young readers to read the guide to the trail at the end of the book. This guide contains obvious hints on how to make the right choices. Some of the decisions then become obvious. Emphasis on some. There are some things the guide couldn't possibly help you predict!
While some of the twenty-one endings lead to DEATH or almost certain death, not all of them are that dismal. Some just allow for dreams to change OR circumstances. For example, if you become paralyzed...chances are you're not going to keep going to Oregon.
I would recommend the series.
February 26, 2019
C’mon!!! Who doesn’t like the Oregon Trail?!?!
Actually I’ll be honest, I hated that f***ing game! It was the most depressing game ever! You just knew you were gonna die of dysentery or falling off a cliff or some crap! The book takes the game and stretches it out over the course of 4 books and this is part 2. The series doesn’t need to be 4 books, but what the heck?!?
This book (along with the first one) are done in the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style and seriously, who isn’t a sucker for those? It’s a fun book, but most of all, it’s got a good history lesson for the kids these days. No cell phones, no laptops, no video games, and a whole lot of walking! The Oregon Trail was tough back in the day and hopefully this will resonate with some of them. This would make a good lesson in the classroom or as a parent-take away your kids electronics and make them read this for a few hours...hahaha. 😉
Actually I’ll be honest, I hated that f***ing game! It was the most depressing game ever! You just knew you were gonna die of dysentery or falling off a cliff or some crap! The book takes the game and stretches it out over the course of 4 books and this is part 2. The series doesn’t need to be 4 books, but what the heck?!?
This book (along with the first one) are done in the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style and seriously, who isn’t a sucker for those? It’s a fun book, but most of all, it’s got a good history lesson for the kids these days. No cell phones, no laptops, no video games, and a whole lot of walking! The Oregon Trail was tough back in the day and hopefully this will resonate with some of them. This would make a good lesson in the classroom or as a parent-take away your kids electronics and make them read this for a few hours...hahaha. 😉
September 14, 2022
My seven-year-old son brought this book home from his school library. It is a choose your own adventure-type book. He quickly became frustrated; there is only one successful path through the book, and about twenty ways to "lose." On top of that, he found it too scary (he is sensitive to scary things).
On a quick flip-through, I was disappointed as well. I grew up playing Oregon Trail on the computer and appreciate the nostalgia, but this makes the experience quite negative. On top of that, the characters in the book don't talk like I imagine children of the time would, and the characters are flat.
The thing that I like least about this book is the message that if you make a mistake, everything is over. I prefer stories that show that even though hard things happen, we can get through them and move forward.
Not a win for us! I'd like to find some higher quality pioneer books that my son can enjoy instead. Recommendations appreciated!
On a quick flip-through, I was disappointed as well. I grew up playing Oregon Trail on the computer and appreciate the nostalgia, but this makes the experience quite negative. On top of that, the characters in the book don't talk like I imagine children of the time would, and the characters are flat.
The thing that I like least about this book is the message that if you make a mistake, everything is over. I prefer stories that show that even though hard things happen, we can get through them and move forward.
Not a win for us! I'd like to find some higher quality pioneer books that my son can enjoy instead. Recommendations appreciated!
March 18, 2021
Danger at the Haunted Gate was my favorite of this Oregon Trail Choose Your Own Adventure series that I've read with my grandchildren. Sadly, we read it out of order, having accidentally read the next book in the series previously. But of course in a set like this, it doesn't really give away the ending since you know if you choose correctly, you arrive safely at your destination! This particular book had more exciting (or different) calamities - quicksand, buffalo stampede, tornado, and - at least on the paths we chose - less disease than some of the others in the series.
As a whole, this set of books is a great way for kids to learn not only history, but decision-making and consequences.
As a whole, this set of books is a great way for kids to learn not only history, but decision-making and consequences.
December 18, 2020
2nd book in the series and the unique thing that sets these books apart from the typical "Choose Your Own Adventure" style is that there is only 1 "correct" ending to pursue out of 20+ possibilities. Any wrong choice along the way can divert the reader from reaching the right destination.
There is an Oregon Trail guide that readers are advised to review before beginning the adventure, and taking the time to do this will result in a more efficient path through the story, although it can be fun to follow the storylines for the wrong choices as well. And just like in real life, sometimes the choices are not clear cut and you have to make a decision and see where it takes you.
There is an Oregon Trail guide that readers are advised to review before beginning the adventure, and taking the time to do this will result in a more efficient path through the story, although it can be fun to follow the storylines for the wrong choices as well. And just like in real life, sometimes the choices are not clear cut and you have to make a decision and see where it takes you.
July 24, 2025
In this book, you're the main character! You and your family decide to set out for Oregon Territory in 1850, and you'll have to battle the elements, wild animals, illness, and boredom on your way there. Use the guide in the back to help you make the right decisions that will keep your family safe on the unpaved paths your wagon train takes. In this volume, you'll have to navigate dangerous rivers and shortcuts to make it to the Devil's Gate, the next big milestone on the trail. Choose wisely if you wish to survive!
A really fun series for anyone who likes history, pioneers, or who loves the old video game.
A really fun series for anyone who likes history, pioneers, or who loves the old video game.
July 14, 2019
A fun continuation from the first book, and allows the reader to learn the kinds of challenges people faced when crossing this specific part of the Oregon Trail. This book makes better use of the guidebook, as many decisions rely on actually knowing what to do when faced with certain situations. Like the first book there is only one true path through to Devil's Gate, so expect some failure along the way.
January 9, 2021
Writing and plot line were a little better in this second leg of the journey. Bianca and I made a few wrong turns and she got frustrated having to start over and we didn’t come back for a week. But I love watching her logic her way through the choices and thinking about the consequences of each. This is a great parent-child bonding experience to read together.
February 14, 2021
I love that there is only one ending in the entire book that continues you to the next book. All the other endings are death (usually dysentery) or your family just deciding to live wherever you are. I find it fairly easy to make all the right decisions to get that one favorable ending, but my favorite part is going back and purposely making the wrong choices to see the other endings.
January 30, 2024
My son and I continue to have an immensely fun time trying to survive the Oregon Trail. My wife always enjoys the updates on the various ways we have failed and died. We often found ourselves talking about what our strategy should be an hour before we would even read the book each night. We have made it half way to Oregon!
August 25, 2019
Everything I could have hoped for in a CYOA about the Oregon Trail. You absolutely CAN die of dysentery in this book! Whoever had the idea to write this is a genius. I will probably read the entire series, if I can get my hands on it!
November 16, 2019
I managed to make it safely through on my 2nd try! And earned major bragging rights with my kids! I grew up playing the computer game, and reading Choose Your Own Adventure books, so this was basically my childhood!
November 18, 2023
The correct choices to ensure a safe journey to Devil’s
Gate along the Oregon Trail in book #2 were much harder to make, thus making for a longer and more adventurous read. The kiddos are excited to continuing this reading journey… onto the next!
Gate along the Oregon Trail in book #2 were much harder to make, thus making for a longer and more adventurous read. The kiddos are excited to continuing this reading journey… onto the next!
January 6, 2019
These are fun. I liked this one better than the first. It only took me two tries this time :)
January 22, 2019
Good adventures; not as deadly as some other “choose your own adventure” type books.
March 13, 2019
Another good entry into this series, and very educational! Dysentery was also talked about.
March 16, 2020
My daughter and I are getting the hang of this and didn’t die once in this second book of the series!! So much fun!!
February 25, 2021
So much fun to read with my son. He loves getting to choose his next steps
April 20, 2021
These books are just plain fun (and educational too).
February 9, 2022
Read aloud with my boys. They enjoyed this, especially picking which way the story went. We “died” so many times that my boys started guessing what ailment would befall us next. 😂
March 10, 2023
This installment wasn’t as exciting and the decisions weren’t as laborious. The puzzle was easier to solve. I don’t recall hitting a dead end once. The first installment was better. Onto the third!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews