Canada Moves West : An Omnibus

Pierre Berton’s “Canada Moves West” is a rousing collection of five young-adult non-fiction books by revered author Pierre Berton that describes how, back in the days of the pioneers, the Canadian west was won, with blood, sweat, tears, and sheer determination. Originally printed as separate volumes in the “Adventures in Canadian History” series, the titles in this omnibus include: “The Railway Pathfinders; The Men in Sheepskin Coats; A Prairie Nightmare; Steel Across the Plains”; and “Steel Across the Shield.” Although the books read like novels, with exciting story lines and vivid characters, there is archival evidence for every story and, indeed, very remark made on their pages’ nothing has been made up. Berton’s ability to infuse history and its characters with the excitement, personality, and immediacy of contemporary events appeals strongly to young readers. The reading level is appropriate for Grade 5 and up, but the interest level carries well into adult reading.