Frontier Settlements

Children's Literature

As part of the "American Community" series, this nonfiction text for upper elementary and middle school readers covers a time in American history between 1734 and 1869 when thousands of men, women, and children headed westward in search of a better life. These American settlers, or homesteaders, came from many different places but shared a common desire to build homes for themselves on the frontier and build new communities. This descriptive and well organized text describes the difficult and dangerous journey of the homesteaders as well as daily life in their communities, including chores, pioneer food, and pioneer games. In this text there is special mention of Daniel Boone who led the first group of settlers west of the Appalachian Mountains through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. A detailed illustrated map is included, highlighting the route taken by settlers venturing west into the Kentucky frontier where Boonsborough was established. In this book there are wonderful close-up photographs of tools that were used by homesteaders including an adze, saw, auger, and ax. The photographs of toys used by pioneer children such as a checkerboard carved into a tree stump and cornhusk dolls will appeal to the readers of this book. Specific content words, such as cooper and stockade, are in bold print throughout the text and they are defined in a glossary at the back of the book. Other features include a time line, a bibliography of additional sources, and a page that lists places to visit and selected websites. Read separately or as one of the five books in the "American Community" series, this excellent text will be enjoyed by readers and welcome in a classroom library. 2004, Children'sPress, Ages 8 to 14.
—Susan Borges