Mountains, Missteps, and Survival: The History of the Donner Party for Kids

A wagon train sets off full of hope—but their journey turns into one of the most famous survival stories in American history. This gripping true account takes young readers deep into the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains, where a group of families becomes trapped during one of the harshest winters ever recorded. What begins as a brave adventure across the west quickly becomes a fight to stay alive. With no way forward and no way back, they face freezing temperatures, hunger, and heartbreaking decisions. Told in a way that's honest but age-appropriate, this book helps kids understand how quickly things can go wrong—and how strong people can be even in the darkest moments. It explores the tough choices these families had to make, the courage of kids who helped gather firewood and care for younger siblings, and the rescue missions that didn't always come in time. Perfect for curious readers who love real history, this book shows not just what happened, but what it means. Why did some survive while others didn't? What can we learn from their journey? And how would you have handled it if you were there? It's a powerful story of courage, mistakes, teamwork, and the will to survive.