Should young Faith's pet hen Josefina be allowed to come in the covered wagon headed for California? She does, and later Faith stitches a square for her pet for the family memory quilt. A brief historical note at the story's end adds background about westward migration in the mid-1800's and indicates that handmade quilts sometimes became diaries recording the events of wagon train living. (Ages 5-8)

Animated pictures capture the drama and warmth of this historically based, affectionate story of good and bad times on a nineteenth-century wagon-train journey. ‘Coerr packs strong emotions into the story, which is detailed and eventful enough to create vivid historical setting within the confines of a beginning-to-read format." —BL.

Children's Editors' Choices for 1986 (BL)
Notable 1986 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
The USA Through Children's Books 1985 (ALA)