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MWSA Review
Life on the Oregon Trail in 1847 is portrayed through observations by 17-year-old Winnie in the young adult novel, Along the Trail, by first-time author Kaci Curtis. Perils occurring to her family and fellow covered wagon travelers, described with vivid and shocking revelations, detail just how unbearable suffering happens during this minor action towards Manifest Destiny.
The author shows how these experiences forge survivors arriving in the West. Dangers from violent storms, animal attacks, outlaws not hesitating to kill, and inherent fear from Native attacks threatened their survival over every one of two thousand miles they trudged step by step along the trail. Individuals, from diverse origins and backgrounds in the wagon train community bonded through love or need for companionship and survival.
Some families lost individual members, while other entire families succumbed to hardships or inability to cope. Lightheartedness and delight with simple pleasures brought relief and strength to meet challenges of days of boredom and constant fears from unknown dangers. All emotions felt by the pioneers are expressed with clarity in the author’s thoroughly researched book.
Review by Tom Beard
Author's Synopsis
In 1847, Winnie and her family are traveling west to start a new life in the Oregon territory. While many in their wagon train fret over river crossings, disease, and encounters with Native tribes, she relishes the unexpected freedom of life on the trail.
Threatened by storms, wild animals, and outlaws, Winnie must rely on the bonds she s made and all she s learned in order for them to make it to Oregon alive. She also must decide if she is ready to risk forming an attachment to Hal, the cowhand who has a knack for showing up just when help is needed, or whether she will emulate Mae, the free-spirited daughter of their trail guide.
Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Young Adult (fiction or non-fiction)
Pages/Word count: 320 / 81,971