By switching the babies, Colleen makes two mothers happy. Colleen’s mother has recently delivered a stillborn daughter. Colleen McCall finds a new mother on the brink of death who begs her to take her newborn because she does not trust her husband. ISBN 0399239758 Life on the prairie in 1860 is difficult enough without the complications of a pregnancy. While rising in the railroad ranks, Sean had to battle the brutal weather, warring Indians, racial prejudice and much more along the way. Railroad workers such as Sean spurred settlement and economic opportunities in the West, but their lives were filled with hardship. ISBN 0439049946 Through graphic journal entries, 15-year-old Sean shares his life-changing journey of moving to Omaha, Nebraska, from Chicago to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. The Journal of Sean Sullivan: A Transcontinental Railroad Worker by William Durbin. When this doesn’t pan out, she clings to the hope that she can save enough money in the “uncivilized” mining town of Lucky Diggings to journey back home. Homesick and desperate, she changes her name to Lucy and begs her grandparents back East to rescue her. ISBN 0395728061 In this historical fiction, coming-of-age story, California Morning’s life is turned upside down when she is informed by her mother that they are leaving New England to strike it rich in California. The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman.

*Adapted from Pioneers, Scholastic Professional Books

Additional nonfiction titles are listed in The Last Word. Go West, young readers, through the fictional books and biographies that we have reviewed this month that focus on this compelling era of U. The lure of gold, the search for religious freedom, the daring escape from slavery, the financial panic of economic depression, the avoidance of diseases and epidemics in the crowded cities and the promise of plentiful land are some of the reasons that families and individuals decided to pull up their roots and set off on the difficult journey west to the American frontier.* They were all pioneers (a person who leads the way into unknown territory) who changed their lives, the lives of our country’s original inhabitants, Native Americans, and most importantly, the makeup of the United States. “The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River for the most direct and practicable water communication across the continent.” - Thomas Jefferson’s instructions to Lewis and Clark in 1805. Various themes are presented with brief reviews of quality literature that can easily be found in your school media center, local public library or nearest bookstore. The column highlights the world of books and reading. Broward County School Superintendent Frank Till’s reading motivation program, Reading Across Broward, sponsors this monthly feature on the Community Schools pages.

Beyond the Divide by Kathryn Lasky