Cabin on Trouble Creek by Jean Van Leeuwen

Cabin on Trouble Creek Reviews

• 
  Karina

  "Slowly everythng turned gray. Light gray, darker gray, then black.
  That was when he began to hear things. Tiny rustlings. The smallest movement in a tree above his head. Was anything there, or was he just getting spooked by the coming darkness?
  A minute later he was sure soemthing was following him. Something on quiet, padding feet. He could hear it plainly behind himm. Or maybe more than one. Wolves? Could it be wolves?" (PG.100)
  
  This was a fascinating story set in 1803 Ohio. The whites have run out the Native Americans in the new state of Ohio and now they are able to buy cheap land from the government. Daniel (11), Will (8), and Pa leave to their new forest land to grow crops. Pa stays long enough to build a small unfinished, unfurnished cabin and then he sets out to Philidelphia to grab Ma and the three younger siblings, without Daniel and Will. Pa has told them to be safe and has made it clear he will be back in five weeks time, six tops, but as the months go by without any sighting the boys keep themselves busy learning how to trap rabbits and fish and learning how to not die from the climate and the wild animals.
  
  I was fascinated by the story of these two young clever boys the author envisioned. They took care of one another and were eager to learn the way of the Native ways of trapping and making things with trees and barks. The short history weaved into the tale was great to read about also. This is marketed as a YA but I think adults would appreciate this book and the adventures of the boys. It was short and inspiring. How would you (or your modern day kid) be able to handle being left alone in the woods without internet or electricity with a blanket as a door in mid winter with limited amount of flour for 8 months? Do you enjoy the taste of deer and rabbit or would you learn to enjoy it?
• 
  Trixie Van der green

  This is a brilliant book. Read it to my own children, read it to a year 5 class at Penrith Anglican College when I had a prac teaching block there and read it to my primary (grade 3, 4 & 5) class this year. All the children I have shared this book with love it. It captures the students interest and very quickly the students find themselves imagining what it would be like to be one of the main characters who are Daniel aged 11 and Will aged 9. Highly recommend this book.
• 
  Gina Johnson

  Read aloud to the kids just for fun. I read this specifically to draw in my 7 year old and it worked! All four of my kids (and I!) enjoyed this short story about 9 and 11 year old brothers left on their own in the Ohio frontier.
• 
  Nikki Nielsen

  This is another book I read to my family while the storm raged outside and we were without power. It's the classic story of two boys surviving on their own in the wilderness. It was full of adventures that my sons especially enjoyed; indians, bears, hunting, fishing, wilderness survival. They really enjoyed the book and Leeuwen creates characters that come to life.
• 
  Niffer

  I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It got off to a slightly slow start, but eventually found its stride and had plenty of tense moments to keep me interested and turning pages. The writing was slightly juvenile, but considering the book is aimed at younger readers, I wouldn't consider that a huge flaw. I don't know that I see this reaching quite the same level of "classic" as Hatchet or My Side of the Mountain, but it was solidly written and had appeal. I can see this book being a favorite for a young reader--the type of book to read and reread while daydreaming about hunting fish with spears and catching rabbits with snares.
• 
  Jennifer Craig

  This is a great fiction for middle grade readers or advanced elementary readers! About two boys who have to spend eight months taking care of themselves in their newly constructed cabin during a time when many states in America hadn’t been settled yet. The author says it was based off a true record of two boys who had to fend for themselves during the harsh winter and new surroundings of an Ohio forest.
• 
  Lauren

  This is an excellent children's book, especially for those who are interested in adventure and history. Some classic books can lack a propelling story - this one (be it a "new" classic) is a good solution for that.
• 
  Caroline

  I think this is a really good book about being with no adult and trying to survive in the wilderness.
• 
  Erin Pierce

  Somewhat predictable, but a good read nonetheless. Similar to the book, "Sign of the Beaver".
• 
  Katie Sorensen

  Very much a Hatchet-like story. I think middle grade boys would enjoy this.
• 
  Lisbeth

  Exceptional story!
• 
  Carrie Snider

  I really really enjoyed this book!
• 
  SA

  3 stars.
• 
  Marta-Kate Jackson

  Left with only enough resources to survive five or six weeks, young Daniel and Will Griffith must battle blizzards, bears, and loneliness in the harsh Ohio wilderness. The boys are forced to develop ingenious methods for hunting, fishing, and clothing themselves against the elements with a little help from a surprising friend. It is no easy task to survive the bitter winter and there is a believable quality to the boys’ use of trial and error, as well as concern for the well being of their missing family. The boys are endearing characters, quickly absorbing readers with their wit and circumstance. The author acknowledges two survival technique experts for their guidance as well as famed Native American writer Joseph Bruchac, lending authenticity to the book’s Native American portions. Readers may also be intrigued by the brief author’s note which states that inspiration for the story came from “an actual incident in Ohio history.” Recommended for ages 8 and up.
• 
  Maggie

  "I'll be back, 6 weeks at the outside."
  I read this book years ago, and still remember it. It takes place back in "the olden days" when settlers had to build their own cabins and going several miles was a huge deal because you didn't have transportation (well, except you feet). Daniel and Will, young boys left by their father to begin a farm while he goes back to fetch the rest of the family, learn to survive on their own by hunting, fishing, and gathering. They find a friendly Indian, who helps them survive a harsh winter. They learn lessons from themselves and each other.
  This book is easy to read for a young middle-schooler with an imagination.
• 
  Sandybear76

  Daniel and Will travel to Ohio with their Pa and start a cabin in the tall woods. Pa wants to start a new farm. When they have the cabin completed, Pa returns to PA to get Ma and the other siblings. Daniel and Will are left at the cabin to continue the finishing work of the cabin. Pa said it would be 6 weeks, 8 weeks on the outside before the family would return to the cabin. Daniel and Will, aged 11 and 8, spend many weeks chinking the cabin and cutting firewood while they wait and wait for the rest of the family.
• 
  Erin

  Great book based on an actual story in which 2 boys ages 12 and 10 survive on their own in a partially finished cabin in the wilderness of Ohio in the early 1800's.
  
  Probably for the 8-12 year-old crowd, this book reminded me of Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain.
  
  I think my son will really enjoy this.
• 
  Chey

  If you loved Hatchet you'll love this book ,it is also simliar to Sign of the Beaver. Two boys left alone in the wildreness while their dad goes back to get rest of family to join them in their new home .
• 
  Duane

  Will and Charlie are to stay at their newley constructed cabin while their father goes back to Pennsylvania to retrieve their mother sibs. They end up spending 8 months on their own and learn how to take care of themselves during a harsh winter. A great read and it's easy to follow.
• 
  Jena Gardner

  Interesting story of two brothers who come with their father to settle the Ohio River Valley in pre revolutionary times. Their father leaves the boys to got get the rest of the family with plans to return in a few weeks. Instead months pass and the boys must learn to survive in the wilderness.