Books in Adventures in Frontier America Series series

Though the Pony Express existed for less than two years, its legend lives on today. Its mission was to deliver mail 2,000 miles across the American plains and deserts in half the time it would take by stagecoach. Riders faced many dangers, from hostile American Indians to wicked weather. Lively language and historical illustrations will help readers feel as if they are part of the journey. Meets Common Core criticial thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

Gold! Gold from the American River! These words sparked the California Gold Rush and caused adventure seekers to head west in hopes of discovering gold. Some did strike it rich; others went broke. But they all had the adventure of a lifetime. Lively language, historical photos and illustrations, and primary source accounts help readers understand the highs and lows of life as a miner. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

Imagine leaving your home and moving across the country to a new life on the unknown frontier. That's exactly what thousands of people did in the mid 1800s when they traveled along the Oregon Trail, chasing their dreams of a better life out West. Lively language, historical illustrations, and primary source journal entries from settlers help readers feel as if they were a part of the journey. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

In 1852, recently orphaned, thirteen-year-old Mateo becomes an "arreiro," or mule driver, bringing supplies to California gold miners and searching for the notorious bandit who stole his horse, but when he learns that Yankee squatters are threatening to take the ranch he grew up on, Mateo heads for home.Recently orphaned Mateo becomes an "arreiro," leading pack mules through gold rush camps and searching for the bandit who stole his horse, but when he learns that his father's old ranch is in danger from squatters, he heads home.

Imagine sitting in a basket dangling thousands of feet above the ground drilling a hole into the side of mountain. Then you have to stuff that hole with dynamite and get out of the way before it explodes. This dangerous work was just part of the job for the men who built the Transcontinental Railroad. Lively language, historical photos and illustrations, and primary accounts help readers understand the dangers the workers faced every day while building the Transcontinental Railroad. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.