Summer Reading

The Case of the Deadly Desperados by Caroline Lawrence

Sometimes when I'm choosing a book, I read the first sentence and if it grabs my attention, I'll check it out. Here's the first sentence -- "My name is P.K. Pinkerton and before this day is over I will be dead."  So that in combination with cover was enough to peak my interest. (And I seem to be on a western kick these days.) This book might be a bit of a gamble for some, but with short chapters, loads of action, fascinating characters - including our main character P.K. (who if you can imagine Sheldon from Big Bang Therory were twelve years old and living in the old west, a hilarious combination.) and guns being drawn just about every other chapter -- well then this should be your next book. It was loads of fun.

Here's the summary from the book jacket:
The year is 1862 and twelve-year-old P.K. Pinkerton is on the run from Whittlin Walt and his gang of ruthless desperados. P.K. is determined to hold on to his ma's last priceless possession: the deed to a large amount of land and silver mines in the Nevada Mountains. But this is the Wild West, and there's hardly a safe place to hide in Virginia City, an untamed mining town full of gamblers, hurdy girls and gunmen - all of them on the make! Relying on disguises will only keep P.K. hidden for so long as he works to outwit the outlaws who are quickly closing in...
At once thrilling, funny, and moving, this mystery adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Summer Reading

The Legend of Bass Reeves by Gary Paulsen

Earlier in the year I had a student who was wanting a western / gunfighter / wild-west kind of book, unfortunately I drew a blank, eventually we did find him an adequate book to check out. But I now have a great recommendation, when I'm faced with that kind of request. This fictionalize account of the slave turned lawman Bass Reeves was a captivating read. Like many I had never heard of Bass Reeves but he certainly earns his place in Western history, I learned lots and enjoyed this 130 page book.
Summary:
Born into slavery, Bass Reeves became the most successful US Marshal of the Wild West.
Many heroic lawmen of the Wild West , familiar to us through television and film, were actually violent scoundrels and outlaws themselves. But of all the sherriffs of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero. Bass Reeves.
He was the most successful Marshal in the US in his day. True to the mythical code of the West, he never drew his gun first. He brought hundreds of fugitives to justice, was shot at countless times, and never hit.
Bass Reeves was a black man, born into slavery. And though the laws of his country enslaved him and his mother, when he became a free man he served the law, with such courage and honour that he became a legend.