Rescue on the Oregon Trail

November 17, 2014
A time-traveling golden retriever named Ranger stars in this magic-tinged first book in the Ranger in Time series. Trained as a search-and-rescue dog, Ranger is magically transported away from his young owner, Luke, to the year 1850 after finding a first-aid kit buried in the garden. It turns out that Ranger is just what a boy named Sam Abbott, his family, and the other families they are traveling with need to survive the treacherous 2,000-mile journey from Independence, Mo., to the Oregon Territory. Ranger finds Sam’s lost three-year-old sister, Amelia, and alerts Sam to dangers ranging from rattlesnakes to stampedes. Perhaps most importantly, Ranger provides comfort to Sam, who couldn’t bring his own dog on the journey McMorris’s richly rendered illustrations heighten the plot’s many moments of danger and drama, and Messner (Manhunt) incorporates a wealth of historical details into her rousing adventure story. An author’s note offers additional context and detail about the challenges pioneers faced and the real-life research that went into this story. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates.

November 15, 2014
This series' first entry introduces a courageous time-traveling golden retriever on the Oregon Trail.While digging for a bone in his backyard, Ranger discovers a first-aid kit. Mysteriously imbued with time-travel properties, the kit sends Ranger back in time to Independence, Missouri-a starting point for the Oregon Trail-where Sam Abbott is searching for his little sister. Though he loves chasing squirrels too much to pass his search-and-rescue training, Ranger, who can understand human speech, doesn't pay distractions any mind as he follows his training to find little Amelia. His heroics earn him a place with the Abbott family on their journey, and he proves himself both remarkable and useful through many crises (like a buffalo stampede, sickness and river rapids). Though Ranger grows to love the Abbotts, he's constantly on the lookout and longing for Luke, his boy in the future. In the end, the kit takes Ranger back home, though its nature remains an enigma. The third-person narration expertly balances Ranger's thoughts between the appropriately doglike (squirrels! bacon!) and the heroic (Ranger's drive to find and protect). This well-paced story will keep the attention of even reluctant readers with its commitment to accurately chronicling the excitement and danger of the Oregon Trail. Whom will Ranger save next? (Adventure. 5-9)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-Ranger is a golden retriever who trained as a search-and-rescue dog. Unfortunately, he never passes the final test due to those pesky squirrels he can't help chasing. One afternoon, while playing outside with his owner, Luke, he comes across a buried first-aid kit that transports him back to the year 1850. Finding himself in Independence, Missouri, Ranger meets the Abbott family, who is making the treacherous journey on the Oregon Trail. Confused by the strange sights and smells, the dog decides that this must be some sort of new tracking test. Convinced that if he passes he will be reunited with his beloved Luke, Ranger takes on the challenge with gusto. He quickly becomes an invaluable family member by babysitting the Abbotts's ever-wandering toddler, making fast friends with young Sam, and warning them of dangers along the trail. This excellent story contains historical details, full-age illustrations, and enough action to keep even reluctant readers engaged. A wonderful author's note at the end is full of quotes from authentic journals, factual information on search-and-rescue dogs, and suggestions for further reading. This is a stellar choice for readers just starting full-length chapter books and would be a hit with young history buffs and dog lovers as well.-Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI

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