{"id":9169621188845,"title":"Riding the Trail","handle":"riding-the-trail","description":"\u003ch6\u003eComing August 25, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eRiding the Trail\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCherokees Remember the Removal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eTraci Sorell\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/will-chavez\"\u003eWill Chavez\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFollow Cherokee youths on a 950-mile bike journey retracing the Trail of Tears—from Georgia to Oklahoma—on the annual Remember the Removal Ride.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis inspiring photo-rich nonfiction book follows Native youth riding to remember history, linking past and present through culture, resilience, and activism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cherokee Nation’s Remember the Removal bicycle ride is a youth leadership program that includes a three-week, nearly 1,000-mile memorial ride to commemorate the forced removal of Cherokee people. The program teaches culture, history, and language as youth cycle the same route their ancestors walked in 1838–1839. There are nearly 300 alumni, including coauthor Will Chavez, who was also a coordinator of the program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 112 compelling pages by enrolled Cherokee Nation coauthors, \u003ci\u003eRiding the Trail\u003c\/i\u003e does something no other book does: presents the Trail of Tears in a contemporary context. While Cherokee people suffered that grim chapter in history, they thrive today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mascot\"\u003eMascot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rise-up-the-art-of-protest\"\u003eRise Up! The Art of Protest\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/troublemakers-in-trousers\"\u003eTroublemakers in Trousers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/riding-the-trail-spread.jpg?v=1762285670\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669\" alt=\"Three people riding bicycles on a trail with text 'Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal' above them.\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1762285669\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraci Sorell, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. She has received many awards from the American Indian Library Association. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eWe Are Grateful Otsaliheliga, We Are Still Here!,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMascot\u003c\/i\u003e, among many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Traci.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Chavez, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAward-winning journalist, photographer, and Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen Will Chavez previously coordinated the annual Remember the Removal ride from 2019–2024, participated in the inaugural ride in 1984, and served as a mentor rider in 2019. He is an assistant editor at the \u003ci\u003eCherokee Phoenix\u003c\/i\u003e. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Trail of Tears Association.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/will-chavez\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Will.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn this affirming collaboration, debut author Chavez, a Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen, joins Cherokee Nation citizen Sorell (\u003ci\u003ePowwow Day\u003c\/i\u003e) to chronicle the 2021 Remember the Removal bike ride, during which four Indigenous teenagers commemorate the history of the Trail of Tears. Concise opening passages introduce the participants and briefly contextualize the founding of the ride in 1984 by Cherokee Nation educators to combat increasing school dropout rates. Subsequent chapters recall the group’s six-month-long training regime and highlights the importance of the 2021 ride following the cancelation of the 2020 event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first ride skipped since it became an annual tradition in 2009. Planned stops along the 950-mile route from Georgia to Oklahoma trace the removal path, emphasizing the organization’s mission to reinforce lessons about Cherokee history. A standout section details the group’s visit to Port Royal State Park, where a park manager shares stories about the removal, shows the riders a preserved portion of the trail, and offers blessed tobacco for them to pray. Ample full-color photographs, maps, and diagrams spotlight the teens and the sites they visited along their journey, amplifying the historical resonance of this sobering look into tragedy and memory. Concludes with a timeline, bibliography, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSibert Medal honoree Sorell and award-winning photographer Chavez, both citizens of the Cherokee Nation, combine talents in this narrative nonfiction account of the Cherokee Nation’s 2021 Remember the Removal (RTR) ride. They begin with background information on the annual 950-mile bike ride—from New Echota, Georgia, where the Trail of Tears began, to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation capital—and how its young riders (mostly high-school and college-age) used the event to honor their ancestors. A chapter devoted to the events that led to the forced removal of Cherokee peoples in 1838 and 1839 provides more context for the RTR ride. When discussing this history, the text acknowledges that some Cherokees enslaved Africans. The rest of the book becomes an extended photo essay as Sorell describes the riders’ extensive training, the ride itself, and the range of emotions as riders visit places their ancestors lived and suffered while Chavez’s photos document these moments. The effect leaves readers with a modern look at the continuing impact of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGr 5 Up–Between 1838 to 1839, Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their homeland in Georgia and sent to what would be called Oklahoma in the event known as the Trail of Tears. Starting in 1984, Cherokee youth have biked the route, learning about their language, culture, and history along the way. Becoming an annual event in 2009, the Remember the Removal Ride (RTR) is documented by Cherokee Nation coauthors Sorell and Chavez, the latter of whom is the veteran program coordinator. They follow the 2021 group of riders, weaving the history of the Trail of Tears in with the 950-mile bike journey. Readers learn how participants train for the grueling ride, details of their route, what they experience along the way, the history of the Indian Removal Act, and the journey of the Cherokee ancestors. Full of color photographs, maps, and other images as well as chapter titles in both Cherokee and English, the book will introduce readers not only to the history of the removal, but also to this unique opportunity for Cherokee youth and adult mentors. Back matter includes timelines, source notes, bibliography, resources, and authors’ notes. VERDICT By connecting the records of the Trail with the current experiences of young people who participate in the RTR ride, this title will draw readers interested in history, Indigenous studies, and sports. \n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-314-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 10 and up\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 112\u003cbr\u003e7\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: August 25, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","published_at":"2025-11-07T09:06:28-05:00","created_at":"2025-11-04T14:31:12-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Middle Grade","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Novel","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_History \u0026 Biography","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","Browse by Subject_Sports"],"price":1899,"price_min":1899,"price_max":1899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":48971097014509,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"43143","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":45446466797805,"product_id":9169621188845,"position":1,"created_at":"2025-11-04T14:47:48-05:00","updated_at":"2025-11-04T14:47:49-05:00","alt":"Three people riding bicycles on a trail with text 'Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal' above them.","width":600,"height":800,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669","variant_ids":[48971097014509]},"available":true,"name":"Riding the Trail - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1899,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":8,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623543143","featured_media":{"alt":"Three people riding bicycles on a trail with text 'Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal' above them.","id":37085479403757,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.75,"height":800,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Three people riding bicycles on a trail with text 'Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal' above them.","id":37085479403757,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.75,"height":800,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669"},"aspect_ratio":0.75,"height":800,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgemoves.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003eComing August 25, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eRiding the Trail\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCherokees Remember the Removal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eTraci Sorell\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/will-chavez\"\u003eWill Chavez\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFollow Cherokee youths on a 950-mile bike journey retracing the Trail of Tears—from Georgia to Oklahoma—on the annual Remember the Removal Ride.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis inspiring photo-rich nonfiction book follows Native youth riding to remember history, linking past and present through culture, resilience, and activism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cherokee Nation’s Remember the Removal bicycle ride is a youth leadership program that includes a three-week, nearly 1,000-mile memorial ride to commemorate the forced removal of Cherokee people. The program teaches culture, history, and language as youth cycle the same route their ancestors walked in 1838–1839. There are nearly 300 alumni, including coauthor Will Chavez, who was also a coordinator of the program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 112 compelling pages by enrolled Cherokee Nation coauthors, \u003ci\u003eRiding the Trail\u003c\/i\u003e does something no other book does: presents the Trail of Tears in a contemporary context. While Cherokee people suffered that grim chapter in history, they thrive today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mascot\"\u003eMascot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rise-up-the-art-of-protest\"\u003eRise Up! The Art of Protest\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/troublemakers-in-trousers\"\u003eTroublemakers in Trousers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/riding-the-trail-spread.jpg?v=1762285670\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover.jpg?v=1762285669\" alt=\"Three people riding bicycles on a trail with text 'Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal' above them.\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/riding-the-trail-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1762285669\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraci Sorell, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. She has received many awards from the American Indian Library Association. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eWe Are Grateful Otsaliheliga, We Are Still Here!,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMascot\u003c\/i\u003e, among many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Traci.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Chavez, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAward-winning journalist, photographer, and Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen Will Chavez previously coordinated the annual Remember the Removal ride from 2019–2024, participated in the inaugural ride in 1984, and served as a mentor rider in 2019. He is an assistant editor at the \u003ci\u003eCherokee Phoenix\u003c\/i\u003e. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Trail of Tears Association.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/will-chavez\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Will.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn this affirming collaboration, debut author Chavez, a Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen, joins Cherokee Nation citizen Sorell (\u003ci\u003ePowwow Day\u003c\/i\u003e) to chronicle the 2021 Remember the Removal bike ride, during which four Indigenous teenagers commemorate the history of the Trail of Tears. Concise opening passages introduce the participants and briefly contextualize the founding of the ride in 1984 by Cherokee Nation educators to combat increasing school dropout rates. Subsequent chapters recall the group’s six-month-long training regime and highlights the importance of the 2021 ride following the cancelation of the 2020 event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first ride skipped since it became an annual tradition in 2009. Planned stops along the 950-mile route from Georgia to Oklahoma trace the removal path, emphasizing the organization’s mission to reinforce lessons about Cherokee history. A standout section details the group’s visit to Port Royal State Park, where a park manager shares stories about the removal, shows the riders a preserved portion of the trail, and offers blessed tobacco for them to pray. Ample full-color photographs, maps, and diagrams spotlight the teens and the sites they visited along their journey, amplifying the historical resonance of this sobering look into tragedy and memory. Concludes with a timeline, bibliography, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSibert Medal honoree Sorell and award-winning photographer Chavez, both citizens of the Cherokee Nation, combine talents in this narrative nonfiction account of the Cherokee Nation’s 2021 Remember the Removal (RTR) ride. They begin with background information on the annual 950-mile bike ride—from New Echota, Georgia, where the Trail of Tears began, to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation capital—and how its young riders (mostly high-school and college-age) used the event to honor their ancestors. A chapter devoted to the events that led to the forced removal of Cherokee peoples in 1838 and 1839 provides more context for the RTR ride. When discussing this history, the text acknowledges that some Cherokees enslaved Africans. The rest of the book becomes an extended photo essay as Sorell describes the riders’ extensive training, the ride itself, and the range of emotions as riders visit places their ancestors lived and suffered while Chavez’s photos document these moments. The effect leaves readers with a modern look at the continuing impact of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGr 5 Up–Between 1838 to 1839, Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their homeland in Georgia and sent to what would be called Oklahoma in the event known as the Trail of Tears. Starting in 1984, Cherokee youth have biked the route, learning about their language, culture, and history along the way. Becoming an annual event in 2009, the Remember the Removal Ride (RTR) is documented by Cherokee Nation coauthors Sorell and Chavez, the latter of whom is the veteran program coordinator. They follow the 2021 group of riders, weaving the history of the Trail of Tears in with the 950-mile bike journey. Readers learn how participants train for the grueling ride, details of their route, what they experience along the way, the history of the Indian Removal Act, and the journey of the Cherokee ancestors. Full of color photographs, maps, and other images as well as chapter titles in both Cherokee and English, the book will introduce readers not only to the history of the removal, but also to this unique opportunity for Cherokee youth and adult mentors. Back matter includes timelines, source notes, bibliography, resources, and authors’ notes. VERDICT By connecting the records of the Trail with the current experiences of young people who participate in the RTR ride, this title will draw readers interested in history, Indigenous studies, and sports. \n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-314-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 10 and up\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 112\u003cbr\u003e7\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: August 25, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e"}

Riding the Trail

Coming August 25, 2026. Pre-order today!

Riding the Trail

Cherokees Remember the Removal

By: Traci Sorell and Will Chavez

Follow Cherokee youths on a 950-mile bike journey retracing the Trail of Tears—from Georgia to Oklahoma—on the annual Remember the Removal Ride.

This inspiring photo-rich nonfiction book follows Native youth riding to remember history, linking past and present through culture, resilience, and activism.

The Cherokee Nation’s Remember the Removal bicycle ride is a youth leadership program that includes a three-week, nearly 1,000-mile memorial ride to commemorate the forced removal of Cherokee people. The program teaches culture, history, and language as youth cycle the same route their ancestors walked in 1838–1839. There are nearly 300 alumni, including coauthor Will Chavez, who was also a coordinator of the program.

In 112 compelling pages by enrolled Cherokee Nation coauthors, Riding the Trail does something no other book does: presents the Trail of Tears in a contemporary context. While Cherokee people suffered that grim chapter in history, they thrive today.

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Traci Sorell, author

Best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. She has received many awards from the American Indian Library Association. She is the author of We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga, We Are Still Here!, and Mascot, among many others.

Read more about Traci.

Will Chavez, author

Award-winning journalist, photographer, and Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen Will Chavez previously coordinated the annual Remember the Removal ride from 2019–2024, participated in the inaugural ride in 1984, and served as a mentor rider in 2019. He is an assistant editor at the Cherokee Phoenix. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Trail of Tears Association.

Read more about Will.

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Publishers Weekly

In this affirming collaboration, debut author Chavez, a Cherokee Nation and San Felipe Pueblo citizen, joins Cherokee Nation citizen Sorell (Powwow Day) to chronicle the 2021 Remember the Removal bike ride, during which four Indigenous teenagers commemorate the history of the Trail of Tears. Concise opening passages introduce the participants and briefly contextualize the founding of the ride in 1984 by Cherokee Nation educators to combat increasing school dropout rates. Subsequent chapters recall the group’s six-month-long training regime and highlights the importance of the 2021 ride following the cancelation of the 2020 event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first ride skipped since it became an annual tradition in 2009. Planned stops along the 950-mile route from Georgia to Oklahoma trace the removal path, emphasizing the organization’s mission to reinforce lessons about Cherokee history. A standout section details the group’s visit to Port Royal State Park, where a park manager shares stories about the removal, shows the riders a preserved portion of the trail, and offers blessed tobacco for them to pray. Ample full-color photographs, maps, and diagrams spotlight the teens and the sites they visited along their journey, amplifying the historical resonance of this sobering look into tragedy and memory. Concludes with a timeline, bibliography, and more.

Booklist

Sibert Medal honoree Sorell and award-winning photographer Chavez, both citizens of the Cherokee Nation, combine talents in this narrative nonfiction account of the Cherokee Nation’s 2021 Remember the Removal (RTR) ride. They begin with background information on the annual 950-mile bike ride—from New Echota, Georgia, where the Trail of Tears began, to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation capital—and how its young riders (mostly high-school and college-age) used the event to honor their ancestors. A chapter devoted to the events that led to the forced removal of Cherokee peoples in 1838 and 1839 provides more context for the RTR ride. When discussing this history, the text acknowledges that some Cherokees enslaved Africans. The rest of the book becomes an extended photo essay as Sorell describes the riders’ extensive training, the ride itself, and the range of emotions as riders visit places their ancestors lived and suffered while Chavez’s photos document these moments. The effect leaves readers with a modern look at the continuing impact of history.

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up–Between 1838 to 1839, Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their homeland in Georgia and sent to what would be called Oklahoma in the event known as the Trail of Tears. Starting in 1984, Cherokee youth have biked the route, learning about their language, culture, and history along the way. Becoming an annual event in 2009, the Remember the Removal Ride (RTR) is documented by Cherokee Nation coauthors Sorell and Chavez, the latter of whom is the veteran program coordinator. They follow the 2021 group of riders, weaving the history of the Trail of Tears in with the 950-mile bike journey. Readers learn how participants train for the grueling ride, details of their route, what they experience along the way, the history of the Indian Removal Act, and the journey of the Cherokee ancestors. Full of color photographs, maps, and other images as well as chapter titles in both Cherokee and English, the book will introduce readers not only to the history of the removal, but also to this unique opportunity for Cherokee youth and adult mentors. Back matter includes timelines, source notes, bibliography, resources, and authors’ notes. VERDICT By connecting the records of the Trail with the current experiences of young people who participate in the RTR ride, this title will draw readers interested in history, Indigenous studies, and sports.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-314-3

Ages: 10 and up
Page count: 112
71/2 x 10

Publication date: August 25, 2026