Stranded in the Sierra Nevada: The Story of the Donner Party

by Danielle Smith-Llera

Overview

Imagine leaving your home and moving across the country to a new life on the unknown frontier. That’s exactly what members of the Donner Party were trying to do in the mid-1800s when they traveled out west, chasing their dreams of a better life. But instead, many were destined to meet a cruel fate. Lively language, historical illustrations, and primary source journal entries from members of the Donner Party help readers feel as if they were a part of the journey. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781491448984
Publisher:	Capstone Press
Publication date:	08/01/2015
Series:	Capstone Adventures on the American Frontier Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.75(w) x 8.75(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	8 - 10 Years

About the Author

Danielle Smith-Llera’s former life as a teacher led her to write books for young people. She has taught literature, writing, history, and visual arts to students ranging from elementary school to college. Danielle studied English and Visual Arts at Harvard University and exhibits her artwork internationally. As the spouse of a diplomat, she and her family have lived in Washington D.C., New Delhi, India and Kingston, Jamaica.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Journey Begins 4

Chapter 2 Following the Trail 8

Chapter 3 Trouble on the Trail 12

Chapter 4 Trapped in the Mountains 20

Chapter 5 California at Last 26

Timeline 28

Glossary 30

Read More 31

Internet Sites 31

Critical Thinking Using the Common Core 32

Index 32

Interviews

Primary source material and engaging, narrative text makes readers feel as if they were there and part of the action; Strong curriculum tie-ins; Meets CCSS standards for grades 3-5; Consultants are experts on the topic and include professors, historians, and subject-specific authors; Fun Fact: Hastings' shortcut was actually 125 miles longer than the normal route; Fun Fact: More women survived from the Donner Party than men.