Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 7/1/2011 + 2706 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 4

I do not read as much on Western Americana as I used to, but I picked up this book when I saw it posted here. This is a memoir of a young girl who was born the day Clay Allison and his gang shot up the town. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she and her brother moved from town and onto a New Mexico cattle ranch in the mountains.

I was hooked from the first few pages. This is a wonderful story of a young girl growing up to be a woman who saw the Old West come to its end and moved on. But before she did, she saw and experienced life as a real western girl, such that even her eastern school friends doubted if she was telling the truth.

I loved this book and recommend it to all, especially the "young ladies" of today whose most trying experience is often just losing the signal from their cell phone.

Despite its 356 pages, this book is an easy read with larger than normal print and short chapters. Well suited for anyone from middle-school and up. If you are a home-schooler, you should make a special effort to incorporate this book into your children's history studies. Parts of the book are even useful for instruction and discussion on ecological subjects.

My only regret? Coming to the end of the book.

Unfortunately, as I write this, there are no copies posted here and there are five people who have it on their WL. But you can use the Amazon link from this PBS book's page to buy used copies on Amazon for as low as $4 (includes shipping). I'm keeping my copy.

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