What Made the Wild West Wild

What Made the Wild West Wild

Author:  Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin

Publisher:  My Report Links.com Books       

Year:  2006

ISBN:  159845-016-6

Genre: Non Fiction American History

This book is for Ages: 8 up

Subjects/Themes: U.S. History

“Wild Bill” Hickok, “Calamity” Jane, Davy Crockett, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody these heroes of the old west and the dime novels and stories that made them great are examined and compared with reality.  This book includes a helpful website with links to information to use for creating book reports and biographical reports.  Covering the 19^th century U.S. history of Indians, pioneers, gold rush, cowboys outlaws and lawmen, What made the Wild West Wild is an engaging overview with photos, maps and illustrations that bring the wild west to life.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Pony Express Riders of the Wild West by Jeff Savage.

Worth by A. LaFaye

Title:   Worth

Author:  A. La Faye

Publisher: Scholastic             Year:  2006 c2004

ISBN:  978-0439-91342-3

Genre: Historical Fiction

This book is for Ages: 9-12

Awards: Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

 AR Points:     4.0

 Subjects/Themes: Family Life/Orphans/Frontier Life

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Nate is hurrying to help his father bring in the hay as a violent storm hits their farm.  A flash of lightning as bright as the sun changes Nate’s life forever.  Unable to help on the family farm Nate feels bad.  His Pa won’t even look at him.  When Pa adopts an orphan boy named John Worth, Nate feels unloved and useless.  What role can Nate have on the farm?  Worth is a city boy with no experience working a farm.  He is treated like a servant, and can’t seem to do anything right.  When the ranchers and farmers start feuding, tensions are high as sabotage damages the family farm.  Can the boys work together to save their farm and create a family where they both belong? 

Review:  Nate and his family have trouble accepting his replacement and new brother.  Worth is an interesting and exciting story about life on the frontier in the late 1800’s including: immigrants, and range feuds.  The book has an exciting climax.  That will leave you wanting more. 

If you like this book you may also like:  The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan.

Shiloh by Phyliss Reynolds Naylor

Title:  Shiloh

Author:  Phylllis Reynolds Naylor

Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers     Year:  2000

ISBN:  978-0-689-31614-2

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 10 - 14

Awards:  Newbery Medal

AR Points: 4.0

Series:   Shiloh

Subjects/Themes: Dogs/West Virginia/Trust/Small Towns

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Marty is out for a walk practicing shooting when a young beagle begins following him.  The beagle is so thin you can see his ribs, and he has tics.  When the beagle follows Marty home, Marty decides to call him Shiloh.  Judd Travers is Marty’s ill-tempered neighbor; he kicks his dogs and shoots deer out of season.  Shiloh is Judd’s dog.  Marty’s father makes him return Shiloh even though Marty is sure Shiloh is unhappy and abused by Travers.  When Shiloh runs away again Marty must choose between right and wrong.  Is it right to take the dog back to Judd when he thinks it is being abused?  Is it wrong to keep the dog and lie to his mama and papa?  What is Marty going to do?

Review:   Marty is a good boy.  He cares for his little sisters; he loves his mother and respects his father.  He is faced with a tough question about right and wrong when he finds Shiloh.  Judd is mean, but Naylor gives us enough of a glimpse into his life to make us wonder what abuses he has suffered. Naylor’s description of Marty’s relationship with Shiloh is pure puppy love. Shiloh will warm your heart.

If you like this book you may also like: Shiloh Season, and Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor or Old Yeller by Fred Gipson.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

Title:   Old Yeller

Author:  Fred Gipson

Publisher: Scholastic Year:  c1956

ISBN:  0-38-439-15963-6

Genre: Fiction/Historical

This book is for Ages: 8-14

Awards: Newbery Honor Book        

 Subjects/Themes: Frontier-life/Dogs

Plot Summary:   14-year-old Travis is in charge of taking care of his family farm while Papa is on a 600-mile cattle drive to Abilene.  The day after Papa leaves a “big yeller dog” shows up at the family farm. The dog had eaten the last of the family’s meat.  Travis cannot stand the dog, but when Travis’ five-year-old brother Little Arliss meets old yeller they have an instant bond.  Travis must put up with Arliss and old yeller into mischief and making his work around the farm harder.  Travis soon learns that Old Yeller is a good hunting dog.  When Old Yeller saves Arliss from an angry mama bear Travis realizes Old Yeller will do anything to protect the family.

Review:  Old Yeller is a good story with lots of action.   Gipson describes the busy life on the farm in the Texas frontier including, hunting and chores in a captivating book you won’t want to put down.  Travis is a strong character who takes his role as provider seriously.  Old Yeller is a lovable rascal and an excellent story for dog lovers everywhere.

If you like this book you may also like:  Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls; Old Yeller (VHS or DVD) Disney; Hatchet, Gary Paulsen