This book focuses on the childhood and young adult experience of 10 of the American West's most intriguing writers. The book presents autobiographical and other primary sources, biographical sketches, teaching guidelines, and numerous curriculum-driven activities to engage young readers in the works of notable people whose lives were shaped by the American West. Designed to build reading, writing, speaking, geography, and multimedia reporting skills in students, each chapter provides the following: an appreciation of the writer; in his/her own words; the writer's life; teaching advice; learning horizons (activities); and storyteller resources. Many of the learning activities in the book are presented in reproducible format. Following the introduction and user's guide, the book features these writers: Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa); Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin); Hal Borland; Julia Archibald Holmes; Ralph Moody; John Muir; Margaret Murie; Beverly Cleary; Gary Soto; and Laurence Yep. A bonus section at the end of the book features 21 other western writers for further exploration. (BT)