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Jean Van Leeuwen
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Bound for Oregon Paperback – November 1, 1996

by Jean Van Leeuwen (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 217 ratings
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"Basing her story on the published accounts of her true-life heroine, Mary Ellen Todd, Van Leeuwen describes a family's tumultuous journey along the Oregon Trail in 1852." --Publishers Weekly

With only a guide book to show them the way, the Todd family sets out from their Arkansas home on a two thousand mile trek to claim unchartered Oregon Territory. Crossing rough terrain and encountering hostile people, the Todds show their true pioneering spirit. But as winter draws near, will the Todds have the strength to complete their journey? And if they make it, will Oregon fulfill their dreams?

“This is a convincing picture of a pioneer journey that does a good job of showing the tremendous sacrifices people made to follow their dream of a better life.” –School Library Journal
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    164 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    830L
  6. Dimensions
    7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin Books
  8. Publication date
    November 1, 1996
  9. ISBN-10
    0140383190
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0140383195
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review of this fact-based tale of nine-year-old Mary Ellen and her family's dramatic 1852 journey along the Oregon Trail, PW said, "The contrast between the tenderness of Mary Ellen's perceptions and the hardships of the frontier is deeply moving." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Basing her story on the published accounts of her true-life heroine, Mary Ellen Todd, Van Leeuwen describes a family's tumultuous journey along the Oregon Trail in 1852....The contrast between the tenderness of Mary Ellen's perceptions and the hardships of the frontier is deeply moving." --Publishers Weekly
 
“This is a convincing picture of a pioneer journey that does a good job of showing the tremendous sacrifices people made to follow their dream of a better life.” –School Library Journal

“The appealing narrator, the forthright telling, and the concrete details of life along the Oregon Trail will draw readers into the story.” –Booklist

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books; 1st edition (November 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 164 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140383190
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140383195
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 830L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 217 ratings

About the author

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Jean Van Leeuwen

Jean Van Leeuwen

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Jean Van Leeuwen is the author of more than fifty children's books, including picture books, Easy-to-Read books, and middle-grade fiction. She has won numerous awards, among them the William Allen White Award, the South Carolina Children's Book Award, the Massachusetts Honor Book Award, and the Washington Irving Children's Choice Award, as well as many ALA Notable Book citations. Her popular Oliver and Amanda Pig Easy-to-Read series was called "timeless as the truths of childhood" by the New York Times. Amanda Pig and the Really Hot Day was a 2006 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book.

Her own two children were the inspiration for the Oliver and Amanda Pig stories, as well as several others, including Dear Mom, You're Ruining My Life. Many of her other books have grown out of her long-time interest in American history. Her historical picture books include Going West, which was cited as an IRA Teachers' Choice and Across the Wide Dark Sea, selected by the New York Public Library as one of the "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing." She has written historical fiction for older readers as well. Her Bound for Oregon was a Child Study Association Book of the Year, and Cabin on Trouble Creek was nominated for children's Choice awards in eight states.

Ms. Van Leeuwen grew up in the small town of Rutherford, New Jersey. She was an avid reader as a child, reading every book she could get her hands on, from Nancy Drew to The Wind in the Willows. At one point, while trying to convince her parents to buy her a dog, she read nothing but dog stories for a whole year. (She got the dog, but when she moved on to horses, her parents refused to cooperate.) Eventually she began writing her own stories, which she illustrated with cut-outs from magazines.

After graduating from Syracuse University, where she majored in journalism, Ms. Van Leeuwen found a job in the children's book department of a New York City publisher. She remained a children's book editor for many years, an experience with inspired her to once again start writing her own stories. Her first book, Timothy's Flower, was published in 1967, and she has been writing and publishing ever since.

Ms. Van Leeuwen now lives in another small town north of New York City with her husband, Bruce Gavril. She has two grown children, David and Elizabeth, and a young grandchild, who will surely inspire more stories.

Visit Ms. Van Leeuwen's website at www.jeanvanleeuwen.com

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
217 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Purehappiness7
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story for family reading time
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Enjoyed reading this to my 7 & 5 year old. The 7 year old girl likes it a lot. Keeps her interest. Like Little House on the Prairie crossed with the Oregon Trail.
One person found this helpful
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Amanda
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about life on the Oregon Trail!
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2020
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I read this book to my class each year as we study Westward Expansion. It gives kids a nice picture of what life may have been like back then on the Oregon Trail as the Todd family faces many of the harships that pioneers faced at that time; weather, animals dying, sickness, etc. Great read for lovers of Historical Fiction and those wanting to know more about life on the trail!
4 people found this helpful
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David Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Better than 'Little House'!
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2013
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My title will irk some. Better than 'Little House on the Prairie' books? While I believe most of the classics by L.I. Wilder are worthwhile reading, I see 'Bound for Oregon' as a step-up. The story sometimes has a 'Little House' flavor to it (it was written for around the same era), but the characters are stronger, sometimes more believable than Mrs. Wilder's. The faith of the Todd family is a step up too. These people were human and had their failings; but their Christianity affected their everyday lives. They weren't just 'Sunday Christians.' It is a step-up in who it is written for, as well. Young people up to about 13 or 14 would find this an interesting read. 'Bound for Oregon' is excellent for home schoolers who need a story of the mid-19th century to accompany their studies of the Westerward Movement. It is excellent for Christian schools for the same reason. For young people attending public schools...it probably wouldn't be used there because of its distinctive Christian flavor...but perhaps a young person would like to do a book report on it. 'Bound for Oregon' is a very good read; and would be an excellent gift for a boy or girl who enjoys historical fiction.
37 people found this helpful
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Edie A. Clark
4.0 out of 5 stars I bought this book so my daughter could read it ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
I bought this book so my daughter could read it to her two little girls. There are parts in it that she "reads around" because the girls are very young and some of the book is quite accurate re the challenges on the Oregon Trail. One of these little girls (age 5) is very interested in this part of our nation's history, which is why I got her the book. She wants to know about "the way things used to be."
3 people found this helpful
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jennifer dronet
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Good book! Used as a read aloud for my children's US History homeschool class (Notgrass History) as it was recommended literature. It is very much like Little House on the Prairie, but had many different experiences as it was the trail to Oregon. My kids absolutely loved it. I was surprised that it even held the four year old's attention. Good book!
7 people found this helpful
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Mary c
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, gripping story about the Oregon trail
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
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Bought this for a 7 year old and 8 year old who were taking a trip to Oregon. They both loved it and learned so much!
One person found this helpful
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RubySparkles
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect read-aloud story
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
This was a great family read-aloud story for the time in history we are studying. We were excited to read the next chapter, one after another to find out what happens.
3 people found this helpful
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Aretha Graham-Caley
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
My 10 year old enjoyed reading this. It was required summer reading as she headed to 5th grade. It helped for AR points.
2 people found this helpful
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