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32 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7068-5$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Joe Lillington.
Written in brisk rhyming verse with vivid imagery, this rendition of Will Cody's historic twenty-one-hour ride on the Pony Express is immersive historical fiction. Unfortunately, the strong telling isn't quite matched by the illustrations, which are often overly cartoony (especially human figures). The book includes an extensive endnote about the Pony Express and "Buffalo Bill" Cody's life and legacy.
(4)
4-6
Wild West series.
This series presents condensed information about the development of the American West in the 1800s (e.g., the Louisiana Purchase; building the Transcontinental Railroad) and the people who helped shape this region. Although details are limited, these books may inspire a deeper curiosity about this colorful historical period. Sidebars, maps, captioned archival photographs and paintings, and back matter activity prompts add interest. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Wild West titles: Famous Lawmen, The Oregon Trail, The Pony Express, The Louisiana Purchase, Notorious Outlaws, Women of the American West, and The Transcontinental Railroad.
(3)
4-6
This volume recounts the life of William (Billy) Cody from age seven to adulthood. Warren weaves in historical context by detailing Cody's involvement in conflicts such as the Kansas-Missouri Border War and the Civil War; she concludes with the eventual success of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The fast-paced narrative with generous notes is accompanied by period photographs and illustrations. Reading list. Bib., ind.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| May, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-24483-4$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kimberly Bulcken Root
&
Barry Root.
"Dashing riders, / Brightly dressed. / Racing swiftly, / East and west." Kay's simple rhyming verse describes the history of mail delivery, highlighting the role of the short-lived Pony Express. Invented letters between siblings add a human perspective and a sense of time and place, while the Roots' watercolor and gouache illustrations bring the Western setting to life. An author's note is appended. Timeline.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Layne Johnson.
Spradlin describes, day by day, the first eleven-day run of the Pony Express, starting on April 3, 1860. The enterprise required planning, stamina, bravery, and multiple skills, all of which the detailed oil illustrations show in darkish hues. After a brief introduction, the text uses present tense to describe the daily challenges of the riders. Endpapers feature a map and timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib.
138 pp.
| Chelsea
| March, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60413-028-7$35.00
(3)
YA
Milestones in American History series.
Short, clearly written chapters explore significant events in American history. The curricular-support titles are amply illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions and supported with biographical sketches and excerpts from primary documents. There are five other spring 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Milestones in American History titles: The Donner Party, The Oregon Trail, The Pony Express, The Prohibition Era, The Outbreak of Civil War, and The Emancipation Proclamation.
40 pp.
| National
| October, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-0192-6$17.90
(3)
K-3
National Geographic History Chapters series.
After an introduction sets the historical scene, this engaging volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the rise and fall of America's first postal service, the Pony Express. Issues explored include the challenging terrain, weather, unanticipated dangers, and emerging technologies. Archival photographs (including those on the striking endpapers), maps, and "Did You Know?" sidebars extend the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
128 pp.
| Enslow/Links.com
| June, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-59845-010-7$33.27
(4)
4-6
Wild History of the American West series.
These books chronicle the history of the events, places, and personalities that played major roles in the expansion and settlement of the American West. The readable texts are well researched and informative. The screen shots used to illustrate the books are poorly reproduced, but archival photographs, maps, and drawings add interest. Chapter notes are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild History of the American West titles: The Gold Rush to California's Riches, The Amazing Erie Canal and How A Big Ditch Opened Up the West, What Made the Wild West Wild , The Oregon Trail and the Daring Journey West by Wagon, The Louisiana Purchase, Bleeding Kansas and the Violent Clash over Slavery in the Heartland, and The Pony Express and its Death-Defying Mail Carriers.
176 pp.
| Morgan
| June, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-931798-63-X$24.95
(3)
YA
Rau chronicles the history of the Pony Express from its inception in 1860 to its demise in 1861, concentrating on the route, the stations, and important events. The names of the riders are listed, plus a balanced account of the conflict with the Native Americans of the area is included. Illustrations, maps, and archival photos enhance the well-written text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.
(3)
K-3
On My Own History series.
Illustrated by
Craig Orback.
The story of the youngest Pony Express rider, known as Bronco Charlie, is taken from his own reminiscences and Pony Express Museum records. The lively story is sure to inspire beginning readers to learn more about this chapter of American history. Oil paintings adequately represent the drama.
(4)
K-3
Through telling the story of one fictional young pony express rider, this book attempts to give readers a sense of the work of riders in general. The narrative portrays Native Americans as at once friendly and hostile, but the resulting historical portrait is mostly confusing. Dramatic oil paintings echo the story's fast-paced action.
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Robert Riger
&
Leonard Derwinski.
An overview focuses on the first days of the Pony Express, tracing the adventures of the individual riders who traveled between California and Missouri in April 1860. The story is fast paced and dramatic, though this reissue's dated illustrations and prose ("One of America's greatest strengths is her ability to produce men capable of meeting every national emergency") bespeak an earlier era. Ind.
Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
April, 1959
40 pp.
| Carolrhoda
| February, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-539-2$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jane Manning.
Fast the alligator and Snappy the frog are partners on the Hop-to-It Express. They outwit a band of rustlers, several times over, to deliver an important letter to the folks at Cactus Gulch. This tall tale set in the Old West is far-fetched and a bit confusing. The illustrations convey both the excitement of the story and the atmosphere of the desert.
48 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1458-4$$22.79
(4)
K-3
Kaleidoscope series.
Designed for primary-grade readers, the volumes in this series offer brief, sanitized accounts of milestones in American history. The books are amply illustrated with maps, (colorized) period engravings, posters, paintings, and photographs. Each includes a timeline and a short list of books and websites. Ind.
199 pp.
| Scholastic/Orchard
| October, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-439-29314-6$$17.95
(2)
4-6
Young Clem resembles his hero, Oliver Twist, a lot more than he'd care to admit. Starving, and with little hope of making his farm productive, Clem goes to live with a no-account family who severely exploit him. He strikes out on his own, making an episodic westward journey. His numerous adventures, recounted in Clem's honest and humorous voice, blend comfortably with the occasional history lesson and move the plot along at a fast clip.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2001
104 pp.
| Enslow
| May, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-1296-4$$20.95
(4)
4-6
In American History series.
Beginning with a summary of events leading up to the conflic, Gettysburg then provides a day-by-day account of the battle. The blandly written Pony Express describes what led to this mail delivery system and explains its legacy. Worth's rather unfocused survey discusses nineteenth-century expansion and its consequences. The books include excerpts from source documents and archival photos and reproductions, which are unexpectional in the Gaines and Worth volumes. Bib., ind.
133 pp.
| Pleasant
| September, 1999
|
TradeISBN 1-56247-814-1$$9.95
|
PaperISBN 1-56247-758-7$$5.95
(4)
4-6
History Mysteries series.
Well-drawn historical contexts--War of 1812, Pony Express in 1860, women's suffrage movement in 1814, and World Wars I and II--combine with thin but fast-paced mysteries and courageous preteen heroines for satisfactory historical-fiction fare. The best of the group, Secrets on 26th Street, relates the predominantly middle- and upper-class suffragists' efforts to recruit working-class women. Historical notes are included.