Summary: A big family, a growing dream, and a long journey. The Ross family sticks together, no matter what.

Notes: When I created this website, this was the first book that my sister told me to review. It's similar to Little House on the Prairie, in the fact that they are traveling to the Oregon territory in a covered wagon. A big difference is that this is a much bigger family...and their parents have died. This book is set during the civil war, and it is mentioned occasionally, making it a good read-aloud when learning about this time period. As far as I can tell, it is historically accurate. Rachel Grace is a homeschooler, and we like to know our history.

Age of main characters: five to seventeen

Violence: Their parents died of smallpox, but it is just mentioned, not depicted. One boy breaks his leg during a tornado.

Romance: None

Scary themes: Their parents die, the kids set off for the west by themselves, the littlest sister gets lost.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Children