Next Spring an Oriole

by Gloria Whelan

Book Overview

A pioneer adventure perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series On Libby Mitchell's tenth birthday, she and her parents climb into a covered wagon and set off on a journey that takes them two months and a thousand miles. Their trip from Virginia to the deep woods of Michigan is hard, but it is exciting, too. And at its end lies their new home--a place that is rugged, wild, and full of promise. History Stepping Stones now feature...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394891252
• ISBN13: 9780394891255
• Release Date: September 1987
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.1" x 7.3"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

Next Spring an Oriole

This book is about a family traveling a two-month hard journey going two miles per hour in a canvas covered wagon from Virginia to Michigan. This took place in 1837, April 3. The family brought a skillet and a musket. The main character is a ten year old girl named Libby experiencing an adventure. This book puzzles me because the title is 'Next Spring an Oriole' and the book is about a journey. But when I thought about it I realized the two times the oriole was mentioned was the beginning and the end. i also realized that at the beginning most of the family was sad and at the end they were happy. Maybe 'Next Spring an Oriole' is like saying next spring there will be happiness. The author is very specific by saying an oriole. This is a very interesting book and I really enjoyed it. The book also has very interesting pictures. They are sort of like a smudged pencil. I think the pictures captured a lot. I really liked the characters Taw cum ego qua. I loved how the writer compared Taw cum ego qua to a quick bird. She was a very interesting character. I think Taw cum ego qua was a very creative character. Libby and her family met a Native American family and Libby met a girl her age whose name is Taw cum ego qua. The story was great. I loved it. This book was special because not a lot of people would think to write this kind of story. I loved how descriptive this writer was. I also loved how the author explains the process of building a cabin. I pictured everything perfectly and felt like I was in the story. I can imagine how hard it must have been for Libby and her family. It was probably very hard. i would definitely recommend this book to you because of how the writer explains everything. This book is definitely worth reading. Serena, Second Grade, 05-06

Next Spring an Oriole

This story is about a ten year old girl and her parents who go on a trip from Virginia to the deep woods of Michigan in a wagon going nearly 2mph. On their trip they meet a Native American tribe and in that tribe there is a Native American girl and her name is Taw cum ego qua. This book is special because it takes place in 1837. This book is worth reading because it has good descriptions throughout the book. -Nicolas, Second Grade, 05-06

Next Spring an Oriole

This book is about a family that travels from Virginia to Saginaw, Michigan. They packed a skillet, an axe, a sketch book and a doll with a face. Their trip was very hard because the Mitchell's wagon only goes 2 miles per hour. I liked the very detailed pictures. i also liked that this book explains how you would build a cabin back in 1837. I would recommend this book to my friends and family because of the details.This book has a lot of metaphors and simile. If you are interested in historical fiction, you should read this book. Caroline, Second Grade, 05-06

Review Next Spring an Oriole

Libby's mother (had) long black hair until she cut it.She had to cut it because she had lice,I didn't like that.What I thought was nice about this story was when Libby's mother hung up her hair in the trees so the birds could use it to make a nest.I liked mostly all the story.Some people in the story were nomadic. We learned the word nomadic in our social studies.