Sarah Journeys West: An Oregon Trail Survival Story By NIKKI SHANNON SMITH

Sarah is a 12-year-old girl living in Iowa in 1851 while the California Gold Rush is in full swing. News that one of the neighbors is heading west with his son, leaving behind his wife and daughter, surprises her family. Even more surprising is that her father and brother plan to join them! Sarah is crushed that her family is going to be torn apart. Her mother is adamant it will not be.

It's quite a surprise to Sarah when she wakes up the next morning and finds out her mother has won. Her parents are packing up a wagon, and they all will head west, leaving her grandparents behind.

They meet...