The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep by Allan Wolf - ESSENTIAL

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep by Allan Wolf, 402 Historical Fiction Candlewick. 2020. $15 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG;  Violence: PG-13 (Murder and cannibalism)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep chronicles the ill-fated Donner Party as they cross the Salt Lake Desert and break ground through Weber Canyon as part of a shortcut that ended up taking twice the time. The group gets caught in an epic and early snow storm that keeps them from crossing the Sierra Nevadas while also burying their livestock, thus wiping out their primary food source. In order to survive, the Donner Party resorts to cannibalism. 

Being narrated by Hunger puts an interesting and poetic spin on this tale of survival. There are entries from clearly labeled and varied voices from the pioneer group. These succinct and well written entries make the characters relatable, real, and very readable. There isn't a ton of print per page, so it isn't a daunting read. I have read three other books about the Donners, and was wowed by this one. Though this would be not be historical fiction because of poetic license, it was well researched. Even the Notes section, with bios, timelines, and statistics, was engaging reading. Primarily white /European settlers along with two Miwok Indians.

Michelle in the Middle