Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner

Wagon Wheels, a classic from the I Can Read series, introduces young readers to the Black pioneer experience.

Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner, illustrated by Don Bolognese. HarperCollins, 1984. 64 pages.

• Reading Level: Early Readers/Chapter Books, ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 4-8

We meet the Muldie family as they reach the river; across it lies Nicodemus, Kansas. The journey from Kentucky has been hard, with Mama dying along the way. But there is “free land for everyone in the West.” Daddy, a carpenter, dreams of building his own fine wood house, but with winter coming, a sod dugout is all they can manage. Winter brings hard times, with unexpected help from local Osage “Indians.” Come spring, Daddy is ready to move on and find somewhere with trees, but he leaves his three sons in Nicodemus to wait. Eyebrows raise among the townsfolk. Johnny, 11, is confident he can care for his younger brothers. Willie (8) can help watch Little Brother (3) while Johnny is hunting! Months pass, and the boys survive their own adventures, until a letter from Daddy tells them to come to him. All that lies between them and Daddy is 150 miles of wilderness.

For a chapter book, this story packs a lot of adventure. As a child, I remember loving the high stakes. As an adult, with my first child on the way, I must admit to being aghast at the responsibilities given and expected from the Muldie boys. However, as a history lover, I love the fact Wagon Wheels is based on a true story; it really happened! The endnotes share how the story of the Muldie Boys was written down in the memoirs of Nicodemus resident, Lulu Sadler Craig.

Considerations:

• One exclamation that could be profanity or a prayer.

Bottom Line: An exciting chapter book adventure bringing the Black westward experience to life for young readers.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: Black Heroes of the Wild West is a graphic novel about 3 famous Black heroes who lived during a similar time period.
• Book Review: For older readers, we love One Big Open Sky, also about Black pioneers
• Book Review: Gladiola Garden is a lovely poetry anthology that is a good fit for ages 4-8; Black children are featured in the illustrations.

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