Heading West

Tracing the vivid saga of Native American and pioneer men, women, and children, this guide covers the colonial beginnings of the westward expansion to the last of the homesteaders in the late 20th century. Dozens of firsthand accounts from journals and autobiographies of the era form a rich and detailed story that shows how life in the backwoods and on the prairie mirrors modern life in many ways--children attended school and had daily chores, parents worked hard to provide for their families, and communities gathered for church and social events. More than 20 activities are included in this engaging guide to life in the west, including learning to churn butter, making dip candles, tracking animals, playing Blind Man's Bluff, and creating a homestead diorama.

The author of Souls Raised from the Dead offers a gripping novel that combines the suspense of a thriller with the exhilarating story of a woman's bumpy journey toward liberation. A small-town librarian with big dreams is resigned to a dull vacation with her sister and brother-in-law--until a thief accosts the group and kidnaps her.

This book captures the excitement and hardship of settlers heading to the Wild West on wagon trains. Readers will delight in learning about the caravans of wagons that made their way through unsettled and wild land to make it to a place of new beginnings. This book describes the ways people prepared for their journeys on wagon trains, as well as what life was like on the trail. Brilliant visuals illustrate the book to bring this Wild West adventure to life. Information-rich text will engage readers as sidebars and “Truth or Myth?” fact boxes provide a dynamic and unforgettable reading experience.

Describes the lives of women of various backgrounds as they traveled west, established homes, worked inside and outside the home, and helped to develop settled society