Jean Van Leeuwen’s novel Bound for Oregon was originally published in 1994. The novel is set in 1852 and is based on the true story of Mary Ellen Todd and her family’s journey from Arkansas to Oregon along the Oregon Trail. When Mary Ellen is nine years old, she, her parents, and her siblings leave their home and venture west to make a new life for themselves. Mary Ellen is sad to leave her house, community, and grandmother behind. She wants to trust that her father, Abbott Todd, will be able to protect them from the dangers of the western landscape. However, she often feels afraid of the unpredictable weather, unfriendly pioneers, treacherous terrain, and the epidemics sweeping the nation. To feel safe, she often curls under the quilt her grandmother made her. However, Mary Ellen’s adventurous spirit inspires her to take risks and seek new experiences, too. The longer she and her family are on the Oregon Trail, the more challenges they encounter. Mary Ellen’s longing for home sometimes makes her doubt her father and wish that they could return to Arkansas, but she also wants to stay strong for her loved ones. Her historical context and her lengthy journey with her family inspire the novel’s thematic explorations of The Pioneer Experience and Spirit, The Challenges of Migration, and The Importance of Family and Community to Survival.

This guide refers to the 1996 Puffin Books paperback edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The novel contains anti-Indigenous biases and offensive stereotypes. The source text also uses racist slurs and offensive language about Black and Brown Americans.

Plot Summary

During the winter of 1852, eight-year-old Mary Ellen Todd overhears her family and community talking about Oregon, a magical place on the western side of the country. Everyone sees Oregon as the best place to start a new life, and they start making plans to travel there. Mary Ellen loves her father, Abbott Todd, or Father, but the stories she’s overheard some neighbors talking about the dangers of traveling the Oregon Trail scare her. She’s also confused as to why Father would want to move again, because she, her father, her mother, Angelina Todd, or Mother, and her sisters Louvina Todd and Cynthia Todd just moved to Arkansas from Indiana less than two years ago. However, she realizes that if her family is planning to leave, she will go with them.

Shortly after Mary Ellen turns nine in the spring of 1852, the Todd family ventures out on the Oregon Trail. Mary Ellen is sad to say goodbye to her town, her friends, and her school. She’s particularly heartbroken to part with her grandmother, who has helped raise her since she was a little girl. She takes comfort in Grandma’s quilt and Father’s prayers and hymns each night when she and her family are sleeping under the open sky.

As the weeks pass, Mary Ellen grows increasingly restless. She doesn’t like spending her days sitting in the wagon and wonders how long it will take before they reach their new home. Then one day, she discovers that she can jump out of the wagon and run behind it to get out her energy.

Eventually, the family reaches Independence, Missouri, where they join a wagon train. The Todds and their new group travel together through the open prairies. The landscapes are blank and vast, but Mary Ellen is glad she now has other children to play with. Sometimes she rides the family’s horses or sings and dances with her new friends around the evening campfires.

The Todds primarily travel with the Grant family, but they later join up with other families including the Clarks, the Powells, and the McReynolds. At times, the men disagree about which routes they should take or how they should cross rivers or pass mountain ranges. Father tries to remain calm and peaceful throughout but sometimes has to say goodbye to other families to follow his intuition and protect his family.

One day, Father informs Mary Ellen that they have to part with their friends to take a faster—although more difficult—route to Oregon. He explains that he’s making this decision because Mother is pregnant and he doesn’t want to be on the open road much longer. Mary Ellen is thrilled with the idea of having a new sibling and promises to do everything that she can to help Mother and support the family.

Not far outside Oregon, Father falls ill. Mary Ellen panics, terrified that Father won’t recover and they’ll never make it to their destination. Despite her fears, she tells herself not to give up. She channels Grandma’s bravery and remembers the encouragement that Father has always given her. She takes on more responsibilities and helps the family keep traveling while Father is recovering.

The family finally crosses into Oregon. They stand together and observe the beautiful valley below them, thankful that they’ve made it to their new home safely. Shortly thereafter, Father secures the family 40 acres and builds them a new log cabin on the property. On Christmas, the Todds gather around their new fireplace, pop corn, crack nuts, and share stories from their difficult journey. Mary Ellen feels happy because Oregon now feels like home.