One of my favorite time periods is the late 1800's when families traveled west to start new lives. If I ever want to give examples of hard-working men and women, I tell our kids about this time period in our history. Roman has given children a realistic view of a family who left their home in Ohio to travel west and start a new life.

The book takes children along in the wagon for the trip across the country explaining the clothing, the food, how the wagon train worked, and what obstacles families faced.

The illustrations are extremely detailed including expressions of hope, frustration, despair and happiness. The scenery, including the one on the cover, depicts gorgeous views of the countryside. Education, work, chores, and family life are explained so that children can understand that life was difficult, but that families worked together to make it during this time.

This book has a bit more detail that the other books in Roman's IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN cultural series, that I think it is better for older elementary-aged children. There is a glossary of words as well as famous people in the back of the book offering definitions and biographies of those who were important to know from this time period. These books are excellent resources for teachers, homeschooling parents, and librarians. ( )

If You Were Me and Lived in...the American West by Carole Roman is an outstanding book! This has to be my favorite so far. The images are the best, almost life like! She takes you through live on a wagon train, what is was like on it, the travel hardships, encounters with the various Indian groups, finding land, building homes, and so much more. Very interesting! It is so much more interesting than history text books. I think her books should be used in school! I think kids would pay more attention and get more out of history! I enjoy her books at my age! She tells what the kids would be wearing, what their names might be, what they would be eating, etc. Great job! I received this book for a honest review and it in no way effected my review content or rating, these books are just great! I love receiving them! ( )

The author has done a wonderful job painting a picture of what life was like as people from the East moved to the West to have a better life. They traveled the Oregon Trail. The reader looks at life lived as they traveled chores the kids had, and what they ate. Readers learn of the hardships they faced and the new life they had. The author has included eight small biographies of famous people from the West as well as a glossary.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own. ( )