The Journal of Jesse Smoke: A Cherokee Boy, The Trail of Tears, 1838

For a kid’s book, this is pretty heavy reading. That might be because I’m reading it with an adult’s eyes, a lot more aware of the world and what it contains. I actually had a hard time reading large chunks at a time once they got place in the internment camp, due to the heaviness of the conditions and suffering.
Everything in the book is worth reading, down to the historical information and acknowledgements in the back. The author’s deep respect and care for the telling of the story is quite evident, it’s really well done. I’m looking forward to having my middle-schooler read it and discussing with her.

This book broke my heart in a lot of ways, but I think it was one that has to be read, has to be told so people don't forget. It's shameful what happened to these people. This isn't my favorite book in the series, but it was good and had me tearing up at parts. I would recommend to anyone. 4 out of 5 stars.

This book broke my heart in a lot of ways, but I think it was one that has to be read, has to be told so people don't forget. It's shameful what happened to these people. This isn't my favorite book in the series, but it was good and had me tearing up at parts. I would recommend to anyone. 4 out of 5 stars.

This is the diary of Jesse Smoke, who travelled the Trail of Tears with his family. Within the pages of his journal, Jesse weaves together the incredible stories and history of his people with the tragedy of their journey as they walk the long miles toward their new lands.

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction. Jesse and his fellow Cherokee people have lived on Grorgina land for generations. Life suddenly changes as the Treaty of New Enchota forces him and his mother and sister off of their land. His father was killed. In the middle of the night they were forced harshly to move out. This sixteen year old boy writes in his journal about what he sees; the hardships, sickness, death, and hunger of his people. The journey is known as the "Trail of Tears."

This is a great book that shares the life a of Cherokee boy. This book is more like his diary and he talks about the struggles of life.