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 He Will Go Fearless
From the Publisher: Immediately
following the Civil War, Billy, a fifteen-year-old runaway, sets out for
the gold fields of Virginia City in treacherous Montana Territory.
Good fortune for Billy is not so much about finding gold, though, as it is about finding his father. Finding the truth.
Before crossing the Missouri River to embark on his journey, two
cunning travelers commandeer Billy's life savings of twenty-nine
dollars and two bits and convince him to join them as ox drivers on a
team headed with supply wagons for Montana. at first, being paid
to make the trip doesn't sound half bad to Billy—but he quickly
discovers that truth never comes cheaply.
The arduous journey tests him for all he's worth. Across miles of
arid plains, wild rivers, and steep mountain, Billy struggles to tame
his unruly oxen and his own dangerous passions. He
must find his place among unlikely traveling companions on a trek
through hostile country that conceals Chief Red Cloud's warriors
as well as armed highwaymen. Billy's rite of passage challenges
everything he knows about survival and loss, reconciliation and
discovery.
In this vivid historical novel inspired by the real diaries of photographer
William Henry Jackson, award winning author Laurie Lawlor takes
readers on a sweeping quest through the perilous Old West.
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Reviews and Comments:
-- "Danger, adventure, and survival combine to make this a richly
detailed story. ... Billy is certainly courageous. Boys,
especially, will enjoy this book." -- School Library Journal
-- "Lawlor paints a striking picture of the rough-and-tumble world of the
post-Civil War western migration. Her vivid descriptions of hitching up
the oxen each morning or the difficulties of fording rivers make
Billy's Old West come alive." -- Booklist
-- "...the pure western flavor of the book will attract readers who appreciate
the genre or are looking to get a sense of life in the Old West." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
-- (5 star rating) " A story rich in historical detail, with
compelling characters and fast-paced adventure, it will appeal to even
reluctant readers. Billy is an exciting new character that teens
will love. This exciting book was hard to put down...I'll be watching
for more from this talented writer, and the ending did leave an opening
for a possible sequel. -- www.teensreadtoo.com (Full review)
-- "Billy is a character many students can identify with. He has
a messed up home life, little interest in school, dreams of better
places, and wishes to be more grown up. Laurie Lawlor's research
into period diaries for authentic details is evident.... (will) make a
great read-aloud." -- Library Media Connection
-- "From snake-oil salesmen to a stormy Platte River crossing, Lawlor's
coming-of-age tale creates an authentic sense of place in the aftermath
of the Civil War.... it is Billy himself, his timeless aspirations and his mentorship by the
enigmatic loner Frenchy that warms the heart and affirms the power of
perseverance and hope. A worthwhile rite of passage. -- Kirkus Reviews
-- Fifteen-year-old Billy sneaks off to find his birth father,
never reckoning on the adventures that will come his way as part of a
cattle drive in the wild West. -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB); Included in the Bulletin's list of Guide Book to Gift Books: An Annotated List of Books for Youth in the older reader category.
-- "Based loosely on diaries of western artist William Henry Jackson,
readers will cheer for Billy as he struggles toward Virginia City and
steps into adulthood." -- Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Catalog
-- Chosen as a title on the official Middlesex
Middle School (Darien, CT) summer reading list 2006.
-- Eager
to find his father at the end of the Civil War,15 year-old Billy heads
west to the Montana Territory, but after being convinced to become an
ox-driver, Billy finds himself dealing with personal challenges and
hostile terrain that he never expected to face. For ages 10 and up. -- www.just-for-kids.com
-- Billy at age 15 finds out that his real
father is still alive and runs away from home to find his father in
Virginia City, Nevada. ... This old west adventure will appeal to
students in middle schools. -- Lincoln County School District (Oregon)
-- Also reviewed in the Historical Novels Review (May 2006).
He Will Go Fearless. (2006) Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86579-4. 209 pg. Historical Fiction. $15.95.
[Other Historical Fiction Books] - [All titles by Lawlor] - [Curriculum Connections - List all titles]
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