Thomas F. (hardtack) -
I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this story. It's listed for ages 9-12 and I'm 76 years old. I felt it was an historically accurate, early 19th century western about traveling in the West. Every young man should have the opportunity to read this book.
This story was originally in five small books, some of which are available here on PBS. But I came across this copy which has all five stories in one book.
People sometimes don't understand how quickly kids grew up long before today. Just two examples...
I volunteer at state park where a young girl, Mary Dudley, not quite 14-years-old, was married in 1858 to a farmer who was 25. This was not unusual. In fact, if you read "Mothers of the South : Women Tenant Farmers of the 1930s," girls 14-15-16 were still getting married. Mary (nee Dudley) Jones had two daughters and died in 1864. The following year, her widowed husband married her 18-year-old sister.
The second example is David Farragut, America's first U.S. Navy Admiral. To quote Wikipedia... "Farragut was warranted a midshipman in the U.S. Navy on December 17, 1810, at the age of nine. A prize master by the age of 11, Farragut fought in the War of 1812..." By "prize master" is meant he was assigned to take a captured ship to port. As such, he was in command of the ship and gave orders to men who were much older then he was.
As such, to have a 10-year-old girl (Lottie in the book) cook and take care of her younger brother and another man (15-year-old Francis Tucket) was not uncommon back then. When a mother died, the older girl, sometimes not even in her teens, took on the mothering role for her younger siblings and father. Boys even younger than Francis worked hard and help provide for the family, working from before Dawn to after Dusk.
Whereas today, some young teenagers feel imposed upon if asked to bring in the garbage can from the street. I also feel a sadness when I go shopping and see parents pushing the cart in which their 7-8-9 nine-year-old is playing some video game.
This story was originally in five small books, some of which are available here on PBS. But I came across this copy which has all five stories in one book.
People sometimes don't understand how quickly kids grew up long before today. Just two examples...
I volunteer at state park where a young girl, Mary Dudley, not quite 14-years-old, was married in 1858 to a farmer who was 25. This was not unusual. In fact, if you read "Mothers of the South : Women Tenant Farmers of the 1930s," girls 14-15-16 were still getting married. Mary (nee Dudley) Jones had two daughters and died in 1864. The following year, her widowed husband married her 18-year-old sister.
The second example is David Farragut, America's first U.S. Navy Admiral. To quote Wikipedia... "Farragut was warranted a midshipman in the U.S. Navy on December 17, 1810, at the age of nine. A prize master by the age of 11, Farragut fought in the War of 1812..." By "prize master" is meant he was assigned to take a captured ship to port. As such, he was in command of the ship and gave orders to men who were much older then he was.
As such, to have a 10-year-old girl (Lottie in the book) cook and take care of her younger brother and another man (15-year-old Francis Tucket) was not uncommon back then. When a mother died, the older girl, sometimes not even in her teens, took on the mothering role for her younger siblings and father. Boys even younger than Francis worked hard and help provide for the family, working from before Dawn to after Dusk.
Whereas today, some young teenagers feel imposed upon if asked to bring in the garbage can from the street. I also feel a sadness when I go shopping and see parents pushing the cart in which their 7-8-9 nine-year-old is playing some video game.
Georgene J. reviewed Tucket's Travels : Francis Tucket's Adventures in the West, 1847 - 1849 (Francis Tucket Bks, 1 - 5) on + 8 more book reviews
Wonderful book for kids! My kids are 9, 11, and 13 and were completely enthralled with Francis Tucket's adventures. They were very disappointed when the series was finished. Not because they were unhappy with the ending but because they couldn't get enough. If you have kids that like adventure, don't miss this great series. Gary Paulsen is a great writer for this age group. I also enjoyed it very much as I read it with the kids.
Phyllis B. (sundrop) reviewed Tucket's Travels : Francis Tucket's Adventures in the West, 1847 - 1849 (Francis Tucket Bks, 1 - 5) on + 16 more book reviews
Excellent book - 5 books in 1. My boys loved it. It is about the west during the Oregon Trail time period. Paulsen draws you into the time period with adventures of every character you might fancy upon during your journey across the west.
One book does open with an attempted rape scene. You may want to skip part of that if you are reading aloud to young children. Also many people are killed, as one might expect during this time period. Of course, the main character lives.
One book does open with an attempted rape scene. You may want to skip part of that if you are reading aloud to young children. Also many people are killed, as one might expect during this time period. Of course, the main character lives.
