Description

Product Description

Meet Ranger! He''s a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!

About the Author

Kate Messner is the author of The Seventh Wish; All the Answers; The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z., winner of the E. B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers; Capture the Flag, an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner; Hide and Seek; Manhunt; and the Ranger in Time and Marty McGuire chapter book series. A former middle-school English teacher, Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family and loves reading, walking in the woods, and traveling. Visit her online at katemessner.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Ranger in Time #1: Rescue on the Oregon Trail"You''re coming with us, right? Right, boy?" Sam scratched Ranger behind his ear and stood up. "It''s time to head out on the trail." Ranger looked for Luke again. He couldn''t find him. But he saw the little Amelia girl tugging away from her big sister''s hand, trying to run off. Ranger decided he needed to help look after her "out on the trail," wherever that was. Sam was going. It looked like all the bacon was going. Maybe Luke would be there, too.So when the Abbott family left Independence, Missouri, that morning, Ranger followed their wagon down the well-worn path out of town.

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• Scholastic Press

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 54.7 out of 5771 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

Ian Galloway5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Exciting and interesting historical narrative for kids, especially dog-loving kids Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2020 My five year old and eight year old loved the tale. Enough danger to make it thrilling, and enough story to make learning bits about history interesting. We looked up every landmark that was mentioned, and my kids loved the idea that one could go visit these real places... See more My five year old and eight year old loved the tale. Enough danger to make it thrilling, and enough story to make learning bits about history interesting. We looked up every landmark that was mentioned, and my kids loved the idea that one could go visit these real places even today. We had a impactful conversation about quilts as old fashioned forms of scrapbooks, and even had the chance to talk about my memories from my old scrap quilt my kids have grown up with. We traced the journey they took across a map of the United States, and my kids were suddenly interested in knowing names of states.

Important final note: if you, like I, have tried to find stories that are kinder to Native American tribes, and allow the truth of their generosity and kindness to shine through historical narratives...this book does that well. Without making any big spotlight on that part of the Oregon Trail, this book briefly mentions tribes and how some of them were instrumental to settlers’ journeys without fuss or fear. I deeply appreciated that. 11 people found this helpful Helpful Report Royce4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Ok but not great Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2017 I really wanted to love this book as a read aloud for my 5 year old because he loves Hank the Cowdog and enjoys Magic Treehouse so I thought this would be a good mix but the writer essentially dumps you into the time period (Oregon Trail) with no real explanations or... See more I really wanted to love this book as a read aloud for my 5 year old because he loves Hank the Cowdog and enjoys Magic Treehouse so I thought this would be a good mix but the writer essentially dumps you into the time period (Oregon Trail) with no real explanations or understanding of what is going on and while I thought the dog would be the main character of the book like Hank, Ranger just kind of hangs out through the whole book and doesn''t feel like the main character. I would have rated it a 3 but my son said he liked it so I''m willing to give it a 4. And FYI there is a death of a mother and father early in this book that was slightly troubling to my young reader and we have to talk about it a bit so if you haven''t had that discussion realize it will come up. 26 people found this helpful Helpful Report Melanie J. Dulaney4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase A time traveling, people saving golden retriever? Yes, please! Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2017 A dog who travels through time and saves people--what child could ask for more? Messner is a gifted writer for mid to upper elementary readers and has written several books that I recommend highly to my library patrons. This one is a light, easy read for grades 3-6 and... See more A dog who travels through time and saves people--what child could ask for more? Messner is a gifted writer for mid to upper elementary readers and has written several books that I recommend highly to my library patrons. This one is a light, easy read for grades 3-6 and will leave them feeling satisfied and likely to reach for additional books in the series, which does not have to be read in order. Social studies teachers will appreciate the historical backdrop and accurate depiction of the time period featured and readers will be unaware of all that they are learning while following golden retriever Ranger into various places and times saving the day. The only reason for the 4 star review rather than five was due to the fairly predictable pace in the book, but many young readers will appreciate the fact that the storyline does not twist and turn its way to a conclusion. 11 people found this helpful Helpful Report Heidi Grange4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Exciting and appealing for young readers. Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2015 Time travel has long been a staple of the science fiction/fantasy genre both for adults and for children. But this is the first time I''ve read a book that focused on an animal time-traveling. It creates an interesting conundrum for the animal since Ranger, a dog, can''t... See more Time travel has long been a staple of the science fiction/fantasy genre both for adults and for children. But this is the first time I''ve read a book that focused on an animal time-traveling. It creates an interesting conundrum for the animal since Ranger, a dog, can''t explain to himself or to his new companions what happened and where he came from. I liked the fact that Ranger''s skills in tracking and finding are clearly explained by his search-and-rescue training.

The time travel elements are kept simple which is appropriate for a book for the 7-10 age group. More sophisticated readers might desire more explanation but for young readers it''s best not to get bogged down in details. The book moves smoothly and quickly through the plot which will keep children turning pages. This new series I think will be a fun way to introduce young readers to just how interesting the past can be, in this case the pioneers who traveled across the plains to find a new life for themselves. The author includes many of the dangers that these pioneers faced such as buffalo stampedes, dangerous river crossings, and disease (including death). And yet the troubles Ranger and his adopted family face don''t overwhelm the book. And Ranger despite his new attachments never forgets Luke and his original home.

The book works well as a read-a-loud and would make for an excellent introduction to historical fiction while including a science fiction twist that will draw readers into the story. 16 people found this helpful Helpful Report Krusse5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Perfect for elementary readers Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2020 I thought this was a super cute story that''s perfect for kids branching out into chapter books on their own, but who can be intimidated by crowded pages or tiny font. The text spacing was great, the pictures were good, and most importantly the storyline was engaging,... See more I thought this was a super cute story that''s perfect for kids branching out into chapter books on their own, but who can be intimidated by crowded pages or tiny font. The text spacing was great, the pictures were good, and most importantly the storyline was engaging, informative and fast-paced to help pull the kids in as readers. It''s a clever storyline. Who can''t love a time-traveling Golden Retriever?! We will definitely be buying more of this series. 3 people found this helpful Helpful Report Diane McKinney5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Grandma enjoyed this story Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2019 I read this with my Grandson. Fictional characters based on real people studied in journals, this story about a family traveling the Oregon Trail is full of adventure and real challenges met by the brave families who braved this trail in the 1800s. Our favorite part of the... See more I read this with my Grandson. Fictional characters based on real people studied in journals, this story about a family traveling the Oregon Trail is full of adventure and real challenges met by the brave families who braved this trail in the 1800s. Our favorite part of the book was the crossing of a dangerous river and the actions of one very special dog. One person found this helpful Helpful Report Jack E. Levic5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase DELIGHTFUL STORY OF A TIME TRAVELLING DOG Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2015 Ranger is a hyper-active golden retriever who just failed search and rescue training. He loves his human family and chasing squirrels but one day he uncovers a mysterious and magical box and is transported back in time. In the first installment of this series, Ranger ends... See more Ranger is a hyper-active golden retriever who just failed search and rescue training. He loves his human family and chasing squirrels but one day he uncovers a mysterious and magical box and is transported back in time. In the first installment of this series, Ranger ends up in 1850 on the Oregon Trail. It''s here that his search and rescue training becomes second nature as he helps a new family and their friends survive a wagon train ride west.
It''s a delightful book with historical insight and author Kate Messner does not gloss over the realities of life on a wagon train across the prairie. Not everyone will survive the journey but most will thanks to Ranger to the Rescue! No doubt Ranger will time travel to many exciting periods in time always trying to get home to his family.
This is simply a delightful book for children that adults will enjoy and appreciate. I can''t wait to read more of Ranger''s travel in time adventures. 6 people found this helpful Helpful Report Joy V. Smith5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Time travel and history and adventure. Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2015 This is a fun story told from Ranger''s point of view. He was trained as a Search and Rescue dog, but he kept chasing squirrels, so he didn''t pass the test. Instead he went back home with Luke and chased squirrels until one day he dug up a box--a strange box--so Ranger... See more This is a fun story told from Ranger''s point of view. He was trained as a Search and Rescue dog, but he kept chasing squirrels, so he didn''t pass the test. Instead he went back home with Luke and chased squirrels until one day he dug up a box--a strange box--so Ranger decided to show it to Luke; he shoved his head through the leather strap so he could carry it and then the box got hot and bright, and Ranger closed his eyes because of the light. When he opened his eyes, he was on the Oregon Trail, where he joined Sam and his family and their wagon train on the trail, sometimes helping them with his search and rescue training, but he never stopped wondering where Luke was and wanting to go home.

I bought it because I was curious about a time-traveling dog and a story about the Oregon Trail.
I did a lot of research on the Oregon Trail for Detour Trail, and I''m always ready to learn more. The author''s note covers the history of the trail and search and rescue dogs, and there''s a bibliography for readers who want to find out more. By the way, Ranger does go home after escorting the train to Oregon, and there''s another adventure upcoming. 3 people found this helpful Helpful Report

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Top reviews from other countries

Leonidas Dimakopoulos5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Satisfied with purchase Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2016 Book met our expectations. Product as described by seller. Satisfied with purchase. Report Rosemary Thompson5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Great to help children get reading Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2015 My 7 year old granddaughter loved it. At Christmas she gets the next in the series. One person found this helpful Report Amazon Customer5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Five Stars Reviewed in Canada on June 14, 2018 great book, grade 2 level of reading. Report Cayley School Book Fairy5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase time travel and a dog -- what could be better! Reviewed in Canada on November 7, 2016 Kids are loving this books series, time travel and a dog -- what could be better! Report

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