《儿童读物杂志》(Horn Book)书评
In 1845, Ben and his family begin an arduous journey to the Oregon Territory. Ben, who has asthma, mistakenly believes they are making the trip for him and feels responsible for the dangers they face -- although they do succeed in reaching their destination. The disappointing entry in the series is marred by stock characters and, despite the exciting background material, a lack of drama. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus评论
Another in the Once Upon America series, Facing West is the story of 11-year-old Ben, whose family is setting out for Oregon in 1845. Ben, who suffers from asthma, is frightened by all the dangers that lie ahead: hunger, rattlesnakes, hostile Indians, bears. And he feels guilty, too, because he thinks that his parents have decided to move to Oregon because the doctor has told them that the climate there will be better for his lungs. But as the journey gets under way, Ben becomes friends with a grown-up named Pete, who leads the wagon train, and who helps Ben overcome his fears and teaches him how to handle his illness. Well written, historically sound and sympathetic to the needs of the special- needs child, Facing West is a fine first introduction to the novel and a useful tool in the classroom. (Fiction. 7-11)