This was a very interesting story that was told by each member of the families perspective. Amanda and her family our pioneer’s traveling to the west. Her parents long for a new life in hopes of free land that isn’t worn out and used up. Amanda wants to be free as well and act how she wants with no one telling her how to act like a lady. Her brother Caleb has a dream to ride a wild black horse. Although they desire to start over they must say goodbye to old friends, cross many prairies, and avoid vast rivers. I thought it was unique how the story was set up. Each character kept a journal of their adventures and the story was set up like an actual journal. I thought this made the story very unique to read, because it made it different than a story like this would normally be told. ( )

I like how this book is a journal of a family of three traveling across America in their covered wagon. It gives a different perspective from each character about what they are going through.The illustrations are filled with vivid imagery that brings the world of this pioneer family to life. The poems portray the feelings, experiences, and observations of three pioneer children in a family leaving a farm in Kentucky for the hope of free, rich soil in Oregon. ( )

This book is comprised of three fictional journals of a family's journey along the Oregon trail. The book would be a good tool to show young readers how poetry can be in nearly any form. The changes in perspective drive the story and keep the reader engaged.

This is a collection of poems from three different children. They write about their journey from Kentucky to Oregon. It was hard for me to get into this story. What really captured my mind were the illustrations. They were realistic, and captured the mood of the poems. I could use this book for a history class when discussing the Frontier life. It would incorporate English into the curriculum. ( )

Set in the 1800s, Mississippi Mud is about a pioneer family who travels from Kentucky to Oregon in search of a new life. They must say goodbye to their home, and pack what little they can to start over. The book has three different parts: each child tells their story of the journey. They face many hardships along the way, but in the end they have a new home.

I did not like this book because it was a little harsh for young readers. I'm not sure children would understand most of the book. However, it is a good example of the journies families had to make in order to survive during that time period.

I remember in elementary school learning about the pioneer families and the Oregon Trails. This would be a good book to compliment that lesson. To go with this book, I would draw out on a map the trail this family took to get to Oregon.