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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Audiobook Review: Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie (Dear America) by Kristiana Gregory

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell, 1847  by Kristiana Gregory
Dear America Series
Unabridged, 3 hr. 30 min.
Scholastic
Barbara Rosenblat and Stina Neilson (Narrators)
August 2009
★★★★½☆
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Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Source: Downloaded the audio from my local library

“After the death of her two sisters, thirteen-year-old Hattie and her family plan for a fresh start. They sell their farm in Missouri and journey along the Oregon Trail toward Oregon City. At first the adventure is exciting, but as the days, weeks, and months pass, Hattie realizes what a dangerous trip it is. As they cross the prairies, news of the fate of the Donner party reaches them, and death, disease, weather, and the terrain take a terrible toll on their traveling party. The Campbells lose neighbors and friends until they almost cannot bear to continue. Yet Hattie and her family must persevere or risk the same misfortune. Hattie`s diary chronicles the hardships of such a harrowing journey, but also captures the friendships and celebrations of life that keep hope alive.”

I think that this will live on as one of my favorite books in this extensive series. It brought back all of my childhood memories of playing the very first Oregon Trail game! Do you remember fording the Blue River, oxen dying, eating poisonous plants, breaking an axle? I do! All that and much more takes place in the diary of Hattie Campbell.

One of the great strengths of this book is the emotions that are evoked. Westward travel was certainly not easy. There were moments of terror, sadness, happiness, and hope – they were all here. I also thought that they played the in-between world of not quite a child and not quite an adult very well. It felt real when she didn’t fully understand some of the decisions being made and she and she didn’t have that frustrating quality to knowing all even though she is only 13.

I also really liked how historical events were peppered through the diary but not fully explained. It wouldn’t be normal for someone to go on and on about the back story of the Donner party, but that event would certainly have made it into their diaries and affected some of the choices that they made. Rest assured though, there is a lengthy historical note at the end where all of these mentioned historical events are more thoroughly explained.

audiobookimpressions

★★★★★

Another well narrated outing in the series. Again they selected a young sounding voice actress who fit the character role. She also evoked the highly emotional scenes well.

Unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be any audio clips I can share.

Reviews of this book by other bloggers: 

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia


Other Books in the Dear America Series:

A Journey to the New World
A Journey to the New World

so far from home
So Far From Home

[My Review]

The Winter of Red Snow
The Winter of the Red Snow
[My Review]

When Will This Cruel War Be Over
When Will This Cruel War Be Over?

A Picture of Freedom
A Picture of Freedom

I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly
I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly
[My Review]

West to a Land of Plenty
West to a Land of Plenty

Dreams in the Golden Country
Dreams in the Golden Country

Standing in the Light
Standing in the Light

Voyage on the Great Titanic
Voyage on the Great Titanic

A Line in the Sand
A Line in the Sand

My Heart is on the Ground
My Heart is on the Ground

The Great Railroad Race
The Great Railroad Race

A Light in the Storm
A Light in the Storm

The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow
The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow

A Coal Miner’s Bride
A Coal Miner’s Bride

Color Me Dark
Color Me Dark

One Eye Laughing, the Other Weeping
One Eye Laughing, the Other Weeping

My Secret War
My Secret War

[My Review]

Valley of the Moon
Valley of the Moon

Seeds of Hope
Seeds of Hope

Christmas After All
Christmas After All

Early Sunday Morning
Early Sunday Morning

My Face to the Wind
My Face to the Wind

Where Have All the Flowers Gone
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

A Time for Courage
A Time for Courage

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Survival in the Storm
Survival in the Storm

When Christmas Comes Again
When Christmas Comes Again

Land of the Buffalo Bones
Land of the Buffalo Bones

Love Thy Neighbor
Love Thy Neighbor

All the Stars in the Sky
All the Stars in the Sky

Look to the Hills
Look to the Hills

Hear My Sorrow
Hear My Sorrow

I Walk in Dread
I Walk in Dread

The Fences Between Us
The Fences Between Us

Like The Willow Tree
Like The Willow Tree

Cannons at Dawn
Cannons at Dawn

With the Might of Angels
With the Might of Angels

Behind the Masks
Behind the Masks

A City Tossed and Broken
A City Tossed and Broken

Down the Rabbit Hole
Down the Rabbit Hole


Find Dear America series here.


Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It is such a wonderful series, I'm glad they are re-printing them.

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