West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Teresa Angelino Viscardi, New York to Idaho Territory, 1883

Reviewed August 2005

I learn so much about history every time I read on of these books. I love the way history is "seen" from the eyes of a teenager. Yes I know these diaries aren't really written by the teen, but still they teach in bits with knowledge given in small bites until the bigger picture is complete. I was fascinated that this story was about her journey and not about her arrival. It was interesting to see how she changed from an Italian immigrant from crowded New York to a little Annie Oakley. I wonder about all the people buried along side trails, are their bodies moved when modern strip malls want to develop on that spot? I'd heard stories about people moving pianos across the U.S. and some having to leave belongings show more alongside the road. I guess Indians or other settlers helped themselves. I also was interested that the author (the real one) was himself interested in Utopian settlements and based on this story on his interest. What the "Historical Note" describes is these groups were usually "isolated, communal labor and sacrifice and had a charismatic leader." What he is describing is basically describing is a cult. Interesting. More interesting is that they left the U.S. I never thought about it this way, leaving the U.S. when we all know it is the U.S.

19-2005 show less

Fourteen-year-old Teresa Angelino Viscardi and her Italian immigrant family leave New York City in 1883 to join a utopian community in Idaho. Through her diary—with occasional entries from her little sister Netta—readers experience the excitement, hardship, and unexpected tragedies of the transcontinental journey, all through the eyes of a spirited pioneer girl.

Summary: After leaving New York to board a train to Idaho Territory, Teresa and her younger sister share a diary which shows their relationship transform as Teresa encounters first live, and her sister falls deathly ill. The tragic story of two very extraordinary girls, this novel will leave anyone wanting to take a train westbound.

Personal Reaction: This was a well written book that covers so many relationships that seem so familiar. The relationship between the two sisters is so beautiful, that even when tragedy falls upon them, their love for one another lives on.

Classroom extensions: I think it would be great for students to keep a journal in class. I think it would improve their writing skills, and even help them express show more themselves through learning. show less

The Dear America books offer a wonderful way to teach children American history. I thoroughly enjoy reading them myself.... and as a homeschooling Mom, I consider them a very valuable educational resource.

This is one of my favorites from the series..... even with the heart breaking tragedy that strikes.

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.

Teresa and her family set out from their Italian neighborhood in New York City to follow a dream of creating an ideal community in Idaho. They take a train ride followed by a wagon train full of a little bit of love interest (for Teresa) and many hardships, including sickness and the death of our fellow narrator, Teresa’s younger sister, Antoinetta. Though Teresa’s diary does not take her all the way to Idaho, we are given a summery of her life when she gets there.

While traveling in 1883 with her Italian American family (including a meddlesome little sister) and other immigrant pioneers to a utopian community in Idaho, fourteen-year-old Teresa keeps a diary of her experiences along the way.