Perilous Journey of The Donner Party, The
Publication Information
Author:  Calabro, Marian	Illustrator:  Historical Photographs
Title:  Perilous Journey of The Donner Party, The	Date:  1999
Publisher:  Clarion Books	City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  0-395-86610-3	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:	Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:
General Information:
Book Type(s):    nonfiction, memoirs/reminiscences, photographic essay, letters
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies
Summary:
The Donner Party, consisting of 81 people who set out for a new life in California in the mid 1850's, got trapped in the mountain snows with diminishing supplies. Harrowing tales of survival followed the few who made it out alive. The book includes archival photographs, letters, maps, timelines, and an index.
Teaching Ideas:
This book adds a somber contribution to the text set on the Westward Expansion. There are many topics to guarantee lively discussion: How do you survive in harsh circumstances?; Who decides who lives and who dies when faced with survival?; How do the high hopes of the party contast with the bitter realities of the journey? With the hindsight of history, what steps could the group have taken to avoid or lessen the disaster? Using the strategy Point-of-View Guide, learners can assume the character of a member of the group and debate leadership positions. Students may be interested in researching on the Internnet to find diaries and journals for other historic events like the Civil War.
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > hopes/dreams History > time period > 20th Century History > region > U.S. history > Westward Expansion History > region > U.S. history > Westward Expansion > frontier History > region > U.S. history > Westward Expansion > pioneers Communities > historical

We welcome your comments