The appeal of Trail of Frozen Tears to Middle Grade is the developing family dynamic between Nana and her grandchildren, Violet Lynn and Donnie, and their trip back into Wyoming history. The storyline involves Donnie's broken arm and their fantasy trip back to the Wyoming Territory in 1876. Nana and her VW, Smiley, magically transport Donnie and his sister, Violet Lynn, to the Apple Red Caboose. Once on board the Apple Red Caboose, they use their Imagination Hats to continue their journey back to Cheyenne, Wyoming and to the Dull Knife's Indian village. But when Dull Knife's village is attack by Colonial MacKenzie and his cavalry soldiers, Nana and her grandchildren are trapped with the Indians. Will they be able to escape and find their way home?