Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time #1) (1) - Hardcover

Messner, Kate

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545639158 ISBN 13: 9780545639156

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2015

Synopsis

Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!

Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!

About this title

About the Author

Kate Messner is the author of The Seventh Wish; All the Answers; The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z., winner of the E. B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers; Capture the Flag, an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner; Hide and Seek; Manhunt; and the Ranger in Time and Marty McGuire chapter book series. A former middle-school English teacher, Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family and loves reading, walking in the woods, and traveling. Visit her online at katemessner.com.

Reviews

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

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Ranger in Time #1: Rescue on the Oregon Trail"You're coming with us, right? Right, boy?" Sam scratched Ranger behind his ear and stood up. "It's time to head out on the trail." Ranger looked for Luke again. He couldn't find him. But he saw the little Amelia girl tugging away from her big sister's hand, trying to run off. Ranger decided he needed to help look after her "out on the trail," wherever that was. Sam was going. It looked like all the bacon was going. Maybe Luke would be there, too. So when the Abbott family left Independence, Missouri, that morning, Ranger followed their wagon down the well-worn path out of town.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0545639158
• ISBN 13: 9780545639156
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: McMorris Kelley
• Number of pages: 144