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The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep by Allan Wolf Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Action & Adventure / Survival Stories, Young Adult Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th Century, Young Adult Fiction / Novels in Verse
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Source: ALAN Workshop
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In powerful, vivid verse, the master behind The Watch That Ends the Night recounts one of history’s most harrowing—and chilling—tales of survival.
In 1846, a group of emigrants bound for California face a choice: continue on their planned route or take a shortcut into the wilderness. Eighty-nine of them opt for the untested trail, a decision that plunges them into danger and desperation and, finally, the unthinkable. From extraordinary poet and novelist Allan Wolf comes a riveting retelling of the ill-fated journey of the Donner party across the Sierra Nevadas during the winter of 1846–1847. Brilliantly narrated by multiple voices, including world-weary, taunting, and all-knowing Hunger itself, this novel-in-verse examines a notorious chapter in history from various perspectives, among them caravan leaders George Donner and James Reed, Donner’s scholarly wife, two Miwok Indian guides, the Reed children, a sixteen-year-old orphan, and even a pair of oxen. Comprehensive back matter includes an author’s note, select character biographies, statistics, a time line of events, and more. Unprecedented in its detail and sweep, this haunting epic raises stirring questions about moral ambiguity, hope and resilience, and hunger of all kinds.
The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep: Voices From the Donner Party by Allan Wolf
So I was definitely a history nerd as a kid and I still am one as an adult. My favorite fictional genre is Historical Fiction and my second favorite overall genre is nonfiction. I am the one who watched all of the historical drama Made for TV movies in the 90s and I studied Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman like it was a supplement to my history class. So when I heard someone pitch this book about the Donner Party and that one of the narrators in it is actually Hunger…I was more than intrigued.
I was so excited to get this book in my box for #ALAN the year it published. The Donner Party story is an American Horror story. The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep is the first time I’d read a fictional account of it. For fiction, it is based on a ton of primary documents connected to the ill-fated travelers.
The story is told in both poetry and prose through many different points of view. From the prayers of young Patty Reed to the Ego-centered poetry of her father James Reed to the prose of Hunger and many more. You get a well-rounded narrative of the experiences of those on that doomed wagon train. Even if you know the fates of everyone, you will still be held in suspense as you read their experiences from their fictionalized perspectives. Warning: it will also creep you out, because… cannibalism.
A Kickoff to Learn More
There is also a lot of great information at the end of the book. It includes an author’s note about narrative pointillism, character biographies, timelines and Donner Party family rosters.
This would be a really interesting and engaging book study in a social studies class. There is also a great opportunity for cross curriculum connection between English and American History. I agree with the author that this book is a great jumping off point for anyone interested in doing more research into this tragic expedition.
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