Stay Alive: The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds, The Donner Party Expedition, 1846

About this book

"Soon we will eat the frozen cattle.... And then, when that is gone, what shall we eat?
Shall we eat the snow? Shall we eat the ice? Shall we eat the bark on the frozen trees?
What shall we eat?"

Spring, 1846: Douglas Allen Deeds dreams of starting a new life out West. When the opportunity to join the Donner Party Expedition arises, he leaves the life he's known behind to set out on the nearly 2,000-mile trek from Independence, Missouri to sunny California.

But progress is slow. Brutal heat, poisoned water, and rough terrain slows the expedition down. Soon they have a choice: continue on the known but grueling trail, or take a shortcut that would cut 350 miles from their journey-but take them through unknown territory. Is it worth the risk?

Winter comes quickly in the mountains, and the wrong choice could leave them stranded in the Sierra Mountains when the snow comes, with no shelter, supplies, or even food.

Newbery Honor-winning author Rodman Philbrick brings to life the excitement, danger, and horrors of the Donner Party's journey west.

Reviews

Praise for Stay Alive:

"Young listeners who love the I Survived series will devour (sorry) this fictional account of one of the most famous stroies of survival." --Booklist

Praise for Wildfire:

* "An intense tale of survival and action. A must-have for all upper elementary/middle grade libraries." -- School Library Journal, starred review

* "Short chapters, outstanding cover art, and a breathless pace make this a fine choice for reluctant readers. Outstanding suspense." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Action lovers will relish every word. With Wildfire -- reminiscent of Hatchet and the real-life saga Lost on a Mountain in Maine -- Philbrick transforms a raging inferno into an impressively plotted escape story full of heart and soul." -- BookPage, starred review

Praise for Wildriver:

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"An action tale for young readers that's impossible to put down. Readers will need to strap on their helmets and prepare for a wild ride."-Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg:

A Newbery Honor book

"A swashbuckling and humorous tale of adventure." -- The Boston Globe

* "A rip-roaring adventure." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A captivating read." -- The Horn Book

Praise for Freak the Mighty:

* "A wonderful story... memorable and luminous... somewhat different and very special." -- School Library Journal, starred review