Parents' Guide to

The Cabin Faced West

By Tanya Smith, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Story takes kids back to the frontier days.

Book Jean Fritz Historical Fiction 2001
The Cabin Faced West Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 11+

Based on 1 parent review

Rosie chocolate
Rosie chocolate Parent
December 14, 2011
age 11+

The cabin faced west review

Well I think it is a very good book and for kids to read
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (6 ):

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, though unfortunately no date is given to ground the 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."

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate