The Cabin Faced West - Jean Fritz

Story takes kids back to the frontier days.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
4
Read the book?
1481_orig.jpg
Book details
  • Author:Jean Fritz
  • # of pages: 124
  • Publisher:Patria Press
  • Original Publication Date: 01/01/1958
  • Genre: Fiction - Historical Fiction
  • Paperback: $5.99
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Ages 9-12
  • Read Aloud: 8+
  • Read Alone: 8+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a lively tale about a pioneer girl's joys and hardships, and includes an encounter with George Washington. The drawings of the characters at work and play are engaging.

Families can talk about life on the frontier. Would you find it exciting or dull? A fun challenge or too hard? How realistic do you think most books, TV shows, and movies about frontier life are?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

Imagine yourself passing peas and potatoes to General George Washington! That's exactly what happens to young Ann Hamilton and her pioneer family one fateful night in western Pennsylvania. This charming, historically accurate story transports readers back to a time when the frontier was being settled, and families never knew who--friend or foe--would show up for dinner!



Is it any good?

4

With its cheery tone and fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, THE CABIN FACED WEST is the quintessential Jean Fritz book. It has all the earmarks of the award-winning author's other historical fiction books: a light, sprightly style, a dash of humor, and a dose of history.

The wild frontier of early pioneer life forms the backdrop for this story. Early on, Fritz illuminates the mind-set that permeated the new west: The back of Hamilton's cabin was "turned squarely against the East just as her father had turned his back." If there is one quibble, it is that no date is given to ground the story.

The artwork is wistful, especially when Ann Hamilton is shown in relation to the adults around her. Fritz paints her ancestor as a sympathetic character who uses pluck and intelligence as she struggles to surmount both homesickness and sibling conflict.

After reading about Ann's struggles and triumphs, one nine-year-old reader was hooked on the pint-sized heroine and asked for more "Ann stories." Instead, she settled on more Fritz stories: Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? and Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?

Other choices

Readers of THE CABIN FACED WEST may also enjoy George Washington: A Picture Book Biography, a visual portrait of the nation's first president.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

3

Posted on 03/18/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

It's probaly boring if you're a boy....

Most girls will probaly like this book, but I found it boring, it only got exciting at the end, and that was pretty much the only part I liked.
0


Posted on 09/13/07 by the_terminator Kid contributor, age 10

worst book ever!!!

Its the CRAPIEST book ever it totally sucks like its about a stupid girl who0 i think lkike touched a hot stove or somthing some wheres along the story and a weird annoying nerd and how they fall in love and also what the stories plot is that stupid girl [i forgot the charecters name] has no friends after she moves west now this is a good book for girly girls but a boy would not like it or even a tomboy.
5


Posted on 03/22/06 by gymgirl05 Kid contributor, age 9

I thaught that it was a very good book!!

I think that anybody who gets the chance to read it should do so!!!

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

3

Posted on 03/18/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

It's probaly boring if you're a boy....

Most girls will probaly like this book, but I found it boring, it only got exciting at the end, and that was pretty much the only part I liked.
0


Posted on 09/13/07 by the_terminator Kid contributor, age 10

worst book ever!!!

Its the CRAPIEST book ever it totally sucks like its about a stupid girl who0 i think lkike touched a hot stove or somthing some wheres along the story and a weird annoying nerd and how they fall in love and also what the stories plot is that stupid girl [i forgot the charecters name] has no friends after she moves west now this is a good book for girly girls but a boy would not like it or even a tomboy.
5


Posted on 03/22/06 by gymgirl05 Kid contributor, age 9

I thaught that it was a very good book!!

I think that anybody who gets the chance to read it should do so!!!
Review It
What do your kids do online?
Surf
44%
Homework and research
11%
Download music
7%
Chat with friends
38%
45 votes