Kara Hanslovan's Book Report on "Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie"

Name: Kara Hanslovan

Title of Book: Across The Wide And Lonesome Prairie

Author: Kristiana Gregory

What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? Be specific.  

The problem in the book was that Hattie, her family, and many other families have to try to

survive the dusty and dry Oregon Trail to Oregon City, which is a six month trip!

What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing the book? Explain how you know.

The author’s purpose in the book is to inform. I know this because it added real pictures

with captions, and songs like “Skip To My Lou”.

What did the title have to do with the book?

The title Across The Wide And Lonesome Prairie describes how truly empty and huge the

Prairie really was.

Tell in your own words how the setting of the story made it more interesting. Be specific.

 The setting of the huge and dry Oregon Trail made the story seem relatable. Almost like you

were one of the pioneers making your way across the country.

If one of the characters visited our classroom, what question would you ask them? (Make sure the

question relates to the plot/problem/actions of the story.) *Give the name of the character with

the question!!*

The question I would ask Hattie is if she had the chance, would she move back to Booneville,

Missoura or stay in Oregon City, Oregon?

Pretend you are a librarian recommending the book to someone. Write a paragraph telling

what you would say.  

The story is about a girl named Hattie Campbell. She is 13 years old and has two brothers

named Ben and Jake whom are both younger than her. Hattie would have four other sisters,

one younger and three older but they passed away from swamp fever. Hattie also lives with her

stubborn, but sweet mother and father who all live in Booneville, Missoura. But, after the

unfortunate event of losing their Uncle Milton to a farm accident and having his coffin swept

away by a fast-moving river, Hattie’s family was offered a free ride to the Oregon Trail. During

their long journey, Hattie meets a girl about her age named Pepper and become close friends

almost instantly. The Campbell family and many other families on the trail have to face many

 challenges such as broken limbs, many deaths, poison herbs, thieves, weather, and Indians.

After a six month trip across country in wagons, they finally complete the journey in Oregon

City, Oregon.

If they made a movie of this book, which scene would be most important to include. Explain the scene with details and why it's important.

 The scene that  would be most important to include  in my opinion would be the scene when

Hattie and Pepper  accidently put water hemlock (poison) in the soup. During this part of the

book  it was Pepper and Hatties turn to make dinner. So they made vegetable soup and put

what they thought were parsnips into it. As Hattie was cutting up the parsnips, she gave a little

girl named Cassia a couple of bites.  After cutting up the vegetables, the two girls went inside a

wagon to make pie crusts which took nearly an hour. But, then the girls started to hear screams.

So they ran outside with a few of the parents and saw three boys laying in the dirt twisting, shaking,

and foaming at the mouth! Hattie’s father tasted all of the ingredients in the soup like the meat,

potato peelings, and onion skin. Everything was fine but when he got to the parsnips, his face fell.

He tasted it and quickly spit it out and said,”God help us...This is water hemlock...poison Hattie..”

 An half of an hour later, two younger boys died from the poison and Cassia only after two bites

also passed away. Fortunately, Pepper’s brother Wade didn’t eat as much as the other boys did, so

he was still alive. Still, he was breathing hard and fast through clamped jaws. Blood was also at

the corners of his mouth.

I believe this is a scene that should be included because Hattie learns a lesson on needing

to be much more careful. This scene also shows how being uneducated could really affect

someone’s life. Also, later in the book Hattie teaches the younger children the difference

between water hemlock and parsnips so this talk could potentially save a person’s life.