Boy with a Pack facts for kids
Boy with a Pack is an exciting historical adventure novel for young readers by Stephen W. Meader. It tells the story of a 17-year-old named Bill Crawford. The year is 1837, and Bill is on a big journey from New Hampshire all the way to the wild Ohio Country. This book was first published in 1939 and has cool illustrations by Edward Shenton. It even won a special award called the Newbery Honor in 1940, which means it was one of the best children's books of that year!
Contents
About "Boy with a Pack"
Boy with a Pack is a type of book called a historical novel. This means it's a made-up story, but it takes place in a real time in the past. In this case, the story is set in 1837, which was a very different time in America. The book helps readers imagine what life was like back then, especially for someone traveling across the country.
What's the Story About?
The main character, Bill Crawford, is a young trader. This means he travels around buying and selling goods. His journey starts in New Hampshire, a state in the northeastern part of the United States. His goal is to reach the Ohio Country. In 1837, the Ohio Country was still a frontier. It was a place with new settlements and lots of wilderness. Bill's adventure is full of challenges and discoveries as he makes his way through the changing American landscape.
Life in 1837
Imagine traveling without cars, planes, or even good roads! In 1837, people mostly traveled by foot, horse, or boat. Journeys were long and often dangerous. The Ohio Country was a growing area, but it was still quite wild. There were forests, rivers, and small towns. Bill's journey would have involved facing nature, meeting different kinds of people, and relying on his own skills to survive.
Who Was Stephen W. Meader?
Stephen W. Meader (1892–1974) was an American author who wrote many popular books for children and young adults. He was known for his adventure stories, especially those set in historical times or featuring outdoor adventures. His books often taught readers about American history and the challenges people faced in earlier eras. Boy with a Pack is one of his most well-known works.
The Newbery Honor Award
The Newbery Medal is one of the most important awards for children's literature in the United States. It's given each year to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. When a book receives a "Newbery Honor," it means it was a runner-up for the main award. This shows that Boy with a Pack was recognized as a really special and well-written book when it was published. It's a sign that many people thought it was an excellent story for young readers.
