Mary and the Trail of Tears does a good job of centering the protagonist for young readers, and relaying some very harsh historical facts in ways that don't shy away from the truth but are still digestible for 3rd graders. Rogers is a member of the Cherokee Nation, so I favor this book in bringing history to life, and would recommend to readers old enough to read the material (probably 3rd-grade and up), and as a quick history lesson for anyone. It presents a day-in-the-life to open the book, and discusses several parts of the history that probably don't make it to the textbook for one reason or another.
The language is very straightforward, probably the biggest giveaway that this is intended for children, and it isn't written to make the reaader upset, but doesn't try to hide the facts of the situation either.
I could have used more internal drama in the protagonist as she processes the upending of her world and deaths of loved ones, but overall a very good and informative read. I would definitely use this to teach history as well. ( )

This is a totally solid book, which covers the intense and slow horror of one girl experiencing the Cherokee removal. I'd say the main difference between this and Tim Tingle's How I Became a Ghost is that Tingle manages to keep moments of humor that act as a foil for tragedy. Rogers doesn't lighten things for her readers, but presents an all-too-believable story of a family struggling to survive the bewildering and extremely cruel circumstances. Well written. Bleak. ( )

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