Published in 1823, this was the first novel in Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales". The Pioneers is a colorful look at early frontier life filled with action, adventure, romance and history. The reader will be introduced to Natty Bumppo- a frontiersman who embodies the character of the pioneer caught up in the wild wilderness of early America.

Grade 4-6
After the death of her father in a sawmill accident, Jane-Ery, 11, passes through levels of grief so poignantly revealed that her voice sets a ragged emotional tone throughout. This tension, paired with a languorous pace, deepens the value of an authentically drawn backdrop that embodies stillness and reflection. The Virginia mountains are home and push Jane-Ery into a personal space where her memories prick her heart.