Granny Clearwater and her grandson, Little Critter, fall off their family's wagon while heading West. Granny, who learned many skills from her ancestors, continues the journey-- stopping to thwart a stagecoach robbery and pan for gold along the way.

Fun illustrations and sidebars, document the trip and Holt's descriptive similes (flat as Ma's burnt corncakes, uglier than a mud fence) add folksy charm.

Additional information in the back provides historical background about Western Migration and pioneer life.