The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party

by Marian Calabro

Book Overview

On April 14, 1846, the Donner Party set out from Springfield, Illinois, in search of a better life in the largely unsettled California territory. The trip started well but eventually questionable... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395866103
• ISBN13: 9780395866108
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Wow! Great book!

I think this book is very good. I only knew that The Donner Party could not get to California. I learned soooooo much from reading this book. Now I want to find out more about the Donner Party.I would Highly recomend This book. It was very interesting,and I really enjoyed it.

The Perilous Journey of The Donner Party review

I thought that the Donner Party was a very interesting book. It's one of those books that you can't put down because you keep wanting to see what is going to happen next. The author, Marian Calabro, was very descriptive and made the book which could have been very boring, was actually very interesting and exciting to read. I know that when I read it I felt like I was there with Virgina Reed and the rest of the Donner Party. I believe that even if you aren't that interested in pioneers and such you will enjoy this book. However I will have to admit it was depressing in parts and it is definetly not an uplifting book. How ever it also will make you admire the strenght the Donner Party had to get throught there hardships and struggles they had to endure. The book also has lots of extra information in the back and it has special features like Virgina Reed's diary and The chronilogical order of how the events took place. Rebecca P.

Excellent Reading!!

I'm not much of a history buff, but I have to teach my kids CA history this year. Once I started reading this book it was hard to put down. The thing that surprised me the most was how thoroughly readable it is. I didn't feel like I was reading a history textbook. The prose is well done, there are ample photos of the people involved and artifacts etc.,.. The only thing I would improve would be to include maybe one more map. But that isn't even worth complaining about. This book covers a gruesome and sad event in American history without being overly maudlin, grotesque or judgemental. Despite the elementary looking artwork on the front, it's not a book for children.

The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party

You think you've had "trubels"? Wait until you read this book. This story details the journey of several families, known as the Donner Party, as they travel from Springfield, Illinois to Sutter's Fort, California in the Spring of 1846. The author tells the story through the eyes of the children, detailing Virginia Reed's recording of the journey. This is a gripping story of the unbelievable determination of survival. The book is loaded with authentic pictures and diary entries. You won't believe the sacrifices these people made to settle unknown land in America. A great piece of historical work!

It is hard to believe this fascinating story is true!

This book is incredibly well researched and attention paid to historic detail. At the same time, it is a good story.