When Winter Comes

September 15, 2018
Shannon's first novel tells the story of the Donner Party in the voice of a woman remembering her past. In 1846, a 15-year-old girl (no name is given) escapes her abusive family by joining a wagon train headed west. She makes friends among her fellow travelers, and when disagreements about the route arise, she leaves the train with them to seek a shortcut over the mountains. All too soon, their mistake becomes obvious. The frightened girl clings to a married man who, in her immature judgement, will take care of her. Then the snow comes early, conditions worsen, and as the food runs out, the group begins to break apart. The girl is a survivor?her future is revealed in the first chapter?but after what she must do to avoid starvation, will she ever fully recover? Although readers may find that the shadow of impending cannibalism makes it difficult to read at times, this is a story of great courage.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)