Module 11 Off Like The Wind

Bibliographic Citation

Spradlin, M. (2010). Off like the wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. New York: 
      Walker & Company.

Summary

This is the story of the first run of the Pony Express.  It is a day by day account and if a certain rider is known for his part in the ride they are named in this account.  The riders encounter stampeding buffalo, indians, wolves, snowstorms, drought, and other dangers.  Included is a map of the route and a timeline of events of the beginning history of the Pony Express establishment.  The author has written notes to explain the limited documented information.  There are suggestions for further reading, a bibliography, websites for young readers, and additional websites for more information on the Pony Express history.

Impressions

I was very impressed with the timeline and route and the extra author's notes with suggestions on additional readings and websites.  The illustrations are outstanding and colorful and for me really capture the spirit of the Pony Express.  Wouldn't those people then be amazed with how fast we send and receive email compared to their eleven days for Pony Express mail.

Suggestions for use in a library setting

1.  Short enough to read in the library as an introduction or review of what exactly the Pony Express was about.
2.  Good discussion on the riders's hardships, what kids think about being one of those riders or living during that time.


Reviews

Gr 2-5--This colorful and accessible picture book recounts the day-to-day adventures of Pony Express riders on the first transcontinental mail delivery system, from St. Joseph, MO, to Sacramento, CA. The book opens with a map of the overland route, a time line of major events in the Express's short-lived history (1860-1861), and a quote from Mark Twain's Roughing It. On the unprecedented journey, which took roughly 11 days, riders faced extremes in weather, buffalo stampedes, wolves, and encounters with Native tribes. The straightforward text in combination with the larger-than-life panoramic oil spreads capture the romance, excitement, and danger that riders experienced along the trail. An author's note explains that truth and legend are often intertwined when researching the Pony Express due to the destruction of records upon the cessation of service. Balancing the right amount of information with lively narrative, this book could easily be used in a history unit or as a general interest title.

Bryant, M. J. (2010). Off like the wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. School Library Journal, 56(2), 102-103.

In this rousing, as-historically-accurate-as-possible recreation of the Pony Express's first ride, Spradlin introduces readers to the crazy-wild brainchild of three businessmen to expedite mail over the near-2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif. Accompanied by Johnson's artwork, which has the energy of rolling thunder and the colors of a sunset, and with an engaging sense of drama and urgency, the author follows the riders over the varied landscapes they covered, through the heavy weather they encountered and past the occasional hostile reception they received from Native Americans (though his bell-clear author's note clarifies that hostilities were rare). When he can introduce factual material--the names of riders, the number and character of station stops, the price of $5 for 1/2 ounce--he does so with a light hand to keep the pedagogy at a distance. For all its iconic status, the Pony Express lasted for only a year and a half before the transcontinental telegraph drew a sleeve across its windpipe, but it was an inventive enterprise full of bodacious frontier spirit, which this book plays to the hilt. (bibliography, further reading, map, timeline) (Informational picture book. 7-10)

Off like the wind!: The first ride of the Pony Express. (2010). Kirkus Reviews, 78(4), 156.

Gr. 3-5. Basing his book, as much as possible, on scanty historical records (the author suggests

that files may have been deliberately destroyed after the short-lived company's collapse to present

lawsuits), Spradlin re-creates the Pony Express' first rides east from Sacramento and west from

St. Joseph, Missouri-naming riders and horses when he can, and providing a composite of various

Express riders' adventures. Johnson heightens the drama with evocative full-bleed oils depicting

riders galloping away from cheering crowds and snarling wolves, ducking an arrow, trudging

through a snowstorm, and in a particularly exciting scene, struggling not ot go down amid

stampeding buffalo. For collections that don't already contain Gare Thompson's Riding With the

Mail (2007) or one of the plethora of similar titles, this makes a good introduction for budding

fans of the Old West, and provides a stimulating prelude tomore deailed histories, such as Tim

McNeese's The Pony Express: Bringing Mail to the American West (2009). An afterword, lists

for further readin, a map, and a time line round out the book.

Peters, J. (2010). Off like the wind!: The first ride of the Pony Express. Booklist, 106(10), 76.

This title serves several distinct purposes. First, and most obvious, it teaches young readers about

the Pony Express and its significance. Also, the story combined with the author's note teaches an

early lesson about academic integrity. Lastly, the problems that the Pony Express riders

encounter on their journey will teah students about overcoming obstacles. Teachers or librarians

could easily pose questions to students about what they would have done if they were the rider

that had to fight off wild animals or Indians. The inside front cover and back cover both contain

a map of the Pony Express route and a timeline of the important events surrounding the Pony

Express. Along with the author's note, readers will find suggestions for further reading, a

bibliography, and a list of websites where they can find more information.

Off like the wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. (2010). Library Media Connection, 28(4), 85.