Clem’s Chances
Overview & Summary
In 1860, fourteen-year-old Clem Fontayne is orphaned when his mother and baby sister die of fever, and after enduring near-servitude with unkind neighbors, he sets out alone on the Overland Trail from Missouri to California to find the father who left the family a year earlier to search for gold. Along the way Clem encounters the Pony Express, Mormon settlers, and the era's simmering tensions over slavery. Sonia Levitin's novel is a fast-paced historical adventure and coming-of-age story.
Available Formats
- Hardcover
- Paperback
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Who This Book Is For
A great pick for Middle school students (Grades 6–8) studying History and Humanities. Helps students connect historical events with real human stories and broader perspectives.
Why CE Recommends This Book
Selected for Academic Enrichment & Readiness. Pushing slightly beyond standard classroom expectations, this title widens vocabulary, supports steady Lexile growth, and builds the academic rigor needed for advanced middle and high school courses.
