Cabin on Trouble Creek
Jean Van Leeuwen; Dial Books, 2004
Grade Level : Grades 3 to 5
ISBN & Cost: 0803725485 $16.99
Author Information: Jean has written over 40 books for children and young adults. This book is actually written about a true story she wished to share. This book was on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Masters List. Jean has 2 grown children and lives with her husband in New York.
Something About the Author, Volume 153
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/vanleeuwen.html
Synopsis:
After arriving at their new homestead, Daniel and Will encounter several obstacles that must be overcome. Bears, wolves and heavy snow are some of the dangers they must face. After Pa doesn’t return for several weeks, the boys, with the help of an unexpected teacher, learn to survive in the wilderness.
General Review:
With an 1803 wilderness setting, this book serves well as an elementary curricular tie-in. Survival and suspense keep even older students reading.
Themes: Frontier and pioneer life, Ohio, self-reliance, brothers
Discussion Questions: Standard 3, Benchmark 3
- What were the boys, jobs when their father left?
- Who was watching the boys from afar?
- What did the Indian teach the boys first?
- How did the boys first catch fish? What was the second way?
- What animal attacked Daniel?
- What was used to help heal Daniel’s leg?
- When did Ma and Pa return to the cabin?
- What took Ma and Pa so long to return?
Suggested Activities:
1. Build a log cabin (use twigs, sticks, dowel rods or tongue depressors); the children could also use small rocks to build a fireplace on the outside of the cabin. (Standard 5, Benchmark 3)
2. (Since Will and Daniel whittled bowls out of trees) Make bowls out of molding clay. (Standard 5, Benchmark 3)
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10521
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/dwelling/twighouse
3. Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the two brothers. What skills do they have which help in their survival? Which skills do they share? (Standard 3, Benchmark 1)
4. Choose an appropriate source (print or internet) and see what you can find out about Indians living in Ohio around the time of this book. (Standard 1, Benchmark 4 and 5)
