What was it like to be an American pioneer during the 1800s? Great Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself introduces readers ages 9 and up to the settling of the great American frontier with over 25 hands-on building projects and activities. Young learners build replica sod houses, log cabins, and covered wagons and create their own printing presses and maps. Great Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself provides detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project. Historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and fascinating trivia support the fun projects and teach readers about the American pioneers' relentless push westward. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life on the trail and on the frontier. Great Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself brings the American Pioneer experience to life.

Great Pioneer Projects meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

Rachel Dickinson has published hundreds of articles on travel, nature, and science in numerous newspapers and magazines. Her work has appeared in publications as varied as The Christian Science Monitor, USA Weekend, Islands Magazine, Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, AARP, Living Bird Magazine, and Dolphin Log. Her book The Witch's Handbook: A Field Guide to Magic was published in 2002. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists.

Shawn Braley is an award-winning illustrator. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He specializes in cartoon and editorial illustration. Braley is also a world traveler, musician, cat owner, and comic art collector.