I really love this series -- in particular, I love what Nikki Shannon Smith is doing with it -- her stories keep centering Black children in history in a way that most other writers have failed to do. She's bringing visibility to the fact that not only have Black people been in this country since its founding, but they've also been active participants in most, if not all of the significant events. She backs up her fiction with really great spotlight nonfiction in the back matter, and she consistently involves lesser known historical figures in the narrative.

This book is a solid Oregon Trail story for elementary aged kids. It features a Black family making the journey, and talks a little bit about how their motivations and fears both align and differ from white families making the same journey. There is a confrontation with Native tribal members in which the Dad intercedes to avoid bloodshed, because he sympathizes with the unjust removal of tribes from their lands, and Smith talks more about that in the back matter. It's a pretty gentle version of the crossing, for younger readers, but there's a lot to dive into and follow up on if readers' interest is piqued. ( )