The Race to Chimney Rock by Jesse Wiley
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 1328550001
Pages: 160
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Based on the popular historically-based 80s game, The Oregon Trail: The Race to Chimney Rock is the first book in a four book series of choose your own adventure style books.  This first edition starts with a family (of which the reader is an unnamed, genderless child) of 5 getting ready to head out at the beginning of the trail with 9 other families.  Very quickly, you must make a decision whether to start early in the spring or to wait until there will be more grass for your oxen, which is just how the game always started, as well.  Each decision carries you on a different path.  With 22 possible endings, some of them lead to your death, some to having to end the journey where you are, some having to go back to where you started, only one will bring you to the correct location to continue on your way to Oregon.

While this is a fun flashback for 40-somethings, kids will have no idea what this book is based on and will not find much of interest here.  Purchase only where choose your own adventure books are popular.  Recommended for ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook