Author Profile
Scott O'Dell
2 Books
Scott O'Dell was an acclaimed American author renowned for his historical fiction and adventure novels written for children and young adults. His works often feature strong female protagonists navigating challenging natural environments and exploring themes of survival and resilience. O'Dell is best known for his Newbery Medal-winning novel, "Island of the Blue Dolphins," among other beloved titles like "Black Star, Bright Dawn" and "Kathleen, Please Come Home."
Young David's world is about to change completely. Leaving behind the familiar, soot-stained hills of his coal-mining hometown in West Virginia, he embarks on an epic cross-country journey. His destination is Jericho, California, a place that sounds like a world away from the deep mines his family has always known.
Traveling across the vast American landscape, David experiences the thrill and uncertainty of a major move. He witnesses towering mountains, expansive plains, and bustling new towns, facing unexpected challenges along the way. As he navigates this massive transition, he learns about resilience, family bonds, and the courage it takes to start over. This engaging adventure captures the wonder and apprehension of a child moving to an entirely new life on the other side of the country.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
In an impoverished eighteenth-century Mexican village, survival is a daily struggle. Desperate to save his community from starvation, the mayor makes a heartbreaking sacrifice: he sells the village's two beloved, hardworking burros to a wealthy silver mine.
The brave little burros are immediately forced into dangerous labor. They are tasked with carrying incredibly heavy bars of silver from a deep mountain mine all the way to a waiting Spanish ship at the harbor. The journey is long, exhausting, and filled with peril, but the greatest threat emerges when a ruthless bandit attacks the mule train. In the chaos of the ambush, the two clever burros make a daring escape. Their remarkable journey home not only changes their fate but brings unexpected salvation to the starving villagers of Topo-el-Bampo.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
56 Pages
