Moccasin Trail

by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Book Overview

A Newbery Honor Award-winning book Jim Keath has lived for six years as a Crow Indian when he learns that his two younger brothers and a sister are journeying west to take up land. Although Jim finds it difficult to fit in with the family he hasn't seen since childhood, and though they are wary and distrustful of him, Jim feels his duty is at their side. But slowly, as they survive the dangerous trek west, the perils of frontier life, and the kidnapping...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140321705
• ISBN13: 9780140321708
• Release Date: October 1986
• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Captivating book

I read this book when I was in 3rd grade, and was completely enamoured by it. Some think of it as racist drivel, but I actually became fascinated by Native American culture after finishing this book. The imagery is excellent; I could see the scenes and people in my head. While the mid-1800s jargon was slightly distracting, it gets easier to read after every page. This is a book very much well worth a look. I am in my 20s and I still enjoy reading it!

Alert! Alert! Really Touching Book!

Even though I had to read this book for class, I found myself really getting into the action and the emotions. This book is about a trapper named Jim Keath. In the past Jim has run away from his family to satisfy his wanderlust. But lo and behold his is attacked by a grizzly and wakes up in a Crow ( kind of indian tribe )camp. There he learns the indians ways and forgets about the life of a white boy. But then he runs away from that camp too. ? years later a letter is delivered to him that tells of his long-last family. The letter basicallysays " Jim come help us! " so he sets off to find his family. But every thing is not fine and dandy when he gets there. He has to learn how to trust his family and vice versa. What happens to Jim Keath? READ THE BOOK!

Jim Keath: Indian or American

Family drama and adventure combine in this realistic mid-1800's Oregon Country novel, Moccasin Trail. Main character Jim Keath is struggling to find his niche. He is undoubtedly the Michael Jackson of the 1800's, a white man impersonating an Absarokian Crow Indian. While Jim does not have the same dancing ability or plastic surgery, he inhibits keen beaver trapping and survival skills, not to mention the braids and moccasins, of a wild Native American. Nine years before the scene of the story, Keath runs away from his family only to end up living with the Crows after a tragic accident on the trail occurs. He adapts to the tribe's culture and lifestyle before departing them as well to pursue in the art of beaver trapping. Things start to become complicated when Jim somehow receives a letter of help from his family. Unsure of what to do, Jim must decide whether to follow the road he once walked upon or the path he is currently journeying across... Full of suspense, this story leaves you on the edge of your seat and begging for more, describing what times and life were like in good ol' Manifest Destiny.