ALA Booklist

Twelve-year-old orphan Austin sets out with the Morrisons from Pennsylvania to the Oregon Territory to claim his dead pa's land. His younger brother, Levi, stays behind. In his letters Austin details the days with the wagon train, filled with commonplace events and predictable problems as well as hazardous escapades that keep the adrenaline pumpingaccidents, disease, death, Indian trouble, storms, and fights among the various families. He shares the friendships he makes with other youngsters and with adults. Although the adventures (both positive and negative) are similar to those in other books about wagon train travel, the epistolary format and character development offer solid reading. A clear map of the Overland Trail in 1851 begins the book, and double-page-spread pencil drawings appear throughout. Short bibliography appended. (Reviewed July 1994)

Horn Book

In 1851, twelve-year-old orphan Austin Ives joins a wagon train bound for the Oregon Territory and writes letters to his younger brother, Levi, in Pennsylvania that describe the harrowing journey. Atmospheric black-and-white pencil sketches illustrate a few of the story's major events, and a clearly drawn map traces the wagon's route on the Overland Trail. The well-paced story is a page turner.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This epistolary novel, about a boy on a wagon train in 1851, was inspired by pioneer diaries. Ages 10-13. (Feb.)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Austin Ives, 12, heads West in 1851 with a wagon train and writes letters to his younger brother, who remains in Pennsylvania. An orphan, Austin is traveling with the Morrison family and plans to settle on the Oregon land his father claimed before he died. The book's epistolary form makes exposition somewhat awkward and doesn't allow for much sustaining of mood. Still, the boy's voice rings true as he describes his adventures and draws the characters of the Morrisons; his friends, boaster Hiram and abused Frank; and the colorful trail cook, Reuben, who wears a coat covered with buttons from all the folks he's met in his travels. Woodruff doesn't spare the real sorrows of pioneer journeys-illness, death, lack of water, fights between travelers, and the threat of hostile Indians. Austin's final difficulties are resolved a bit too easily, but readers will enjoy the happy ending. This tale, with its occasional pencil illustrations and short chapters, would make a good classroom read-aloud.-Sally Bates Goodroe, Houston Public Library