Sarah Journeys West: An Oregon Trail Survival Story

This historical fiction chapter book follows twelve-year-old Sarah, a free Black girl, and her family as they embark on a perilous journey along the Oregon Trail in 1851. Driven by her father's dream of a better life in California, the family faces immense challenges, including extreme weather, difficult terrain, illness, and the pervasive racism of fellow travelers. The narrative highlights their resilience and determination to overcome adversity. The book also includes valuable nonfiction material about the Oregon Trail, a glossary, and discussion questions, making it an excellent resource for both historical learning and conversations about social justice.

In 1851 twelve-year-old Sarah is a free Black, happy living with her parents, grandparents, and brother on their own farm in Iowa; but her father has been bitten by the gold bug and wants to take the trail west to California, and after some argument it is decided that the the grandparents will stay on the farm, but the rest of the family will go; the journey will be difficult and dangerous, but if they survive extreme weather, difficult terrain, illness, and the racism of others in the group there may be a better life waiting for them at the end of the trail. Includes nonfiction material on the Oregon Trail, a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts.