Wagons West

Title: Wagons West!

Author and Illustrator: Roy Gerrard

Genre: Picture Book – Historical Fiction

Theme: New beginnings, a action-packed ride filled with hazards, never giving up regardless of obstacles on the way

Summary: The narrator and her parents decided to embark on a journey on the Oregon Trail with the hopes of finding rich green land out West. The pioneers had a guide in Buckskin Dan, the man who convinced them of opportunities that await them. Throughout the story, the pioneers had to fight off robbers, travel down by rafts on the Columbia River, trade with Indians, and finally settle down in Willamette Valley.

Literary Elements:

This book is classified as a historical fiction book due to the accurate portrayal and usage of the setting/time period. The author provided an integral setting as the action, character, and theme are all influenced by the time and place. The book opens up with an introduction of the setting, “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.” The author then continued the story as the family starts planning their trip to Oregon, in hopes of finding rich green land. The plot is heavily influenced by the setting due to the whole concept of moving out West and how the family finally reached Oregon regardless of the dangerous journey.

The language is described as “jaunty verse,” throughout the book the language was presented in a rhythmic pattern following the format of ABAB. The flow of this pattern didn’t quite match the historical aspect of the unexpected happenings that appear over the course of the Oregon Trail. It provided the reader a sense of relaxation instead of suspense. However the places included in the story such as Columbia River and different Indian tribes were factual and authentic. The language also provided detail of what the characters had to overcome, for example:

“After weeks of perspiration, we were close to desperation, When we reached Columbia River’s rocky shore, Where our prospects looked so slim and the way ahead so grim, That we felt we could not go on anymore.”

During one part of the book, the characters traded with the Indians, which was historically proven to be true. The Indians near Oregon traded potatoes and other vegetables, which was beneficial to the pioneers.

The characters expressed their fears and concerns about what the future held for them, which reflected the time period of how people embarked on a journey not knowing what to expect.

The illustrations enhanced the plot and the setting through authentic paintings of the area matching the time period. For example, the clothing, the tools, the wagons and the animals reflected the time period.

Evaluation:

The question of accuracy in regards to the historical aspect has come into discussion. The places, emotions of the characters, and the obstacles they face are accurate but however the language does not really appear to reflect the mood appropriately. This is a great book for young children learning about the American history of migrating West.

What I found shocking regarding this book was how it is no longer in print, therefore a brand new book selling on Amazon is from $77.24 up to $147.62!