by Turner, Nancy E.Life in the US Southwestern Territories was difficult. Sarah Agnes Prine, age 18, gives a picture of the time in this fictional display. Guided by her father’s desire for greener pastures, Sarah follows the family to Texas and back to Arizona when illness, nature, and violence take her father and several brothers. Through years of hard work filled with happiness and tragedy, we see one woman fulfill her dreams of building her own family and receiving an education. Sarah is an inspirational character of determination and will who evokes the atmosphere of the wild west. – reviewed by Sarah, Independence Regional, Read more…

by Morris, Juddi In the late 1800′s, as railroad routes extended across the United States, the number of railroad travelers grew. However, the West remained uncivilized. Fred Harvey decided to open nice, quality restaurants along the Santa Fe Railroad routes to replace the existing “hash houses.” To gain a steady, dependable work force, Harvey advertised in newspapers around the country for women of “good moral character” to work as waitresses in his Harvey House Restaurants. These women, the Harvey Girls, are credited with taming the Wild West. This book explores a period of social and geographical change in U.S. history and it features original photographs and interviews with Harvey Girls. – reviewed by Sarah, Independence Regional, Read more…

by Karr, KathleenThe Harpers are a family living in the Texas hill country a few years after the Civil War. Daddy struck it rich in the California Gold Rush, but his luck has been on a downhill slide ever since. When the bank in San Antonio threatens the family with foreclosure, Daddy involves his six daughters in a series of get-rich-quick schemes to pay off his loans. His first two ideas, rustling cattle and making moonshine are failures, but the girls are determined to make his most recent plan a success–so they don’t let him have anything to do with it. Led by the youngest sister, Lily, the girls attempt a stagecoach robbery, only the beginning of their adventures. This story of trying to save the family home is told with humor Read more…

by Erickson, John R.Giddy-up Cowpokes!! Join 14-year old Riley for a fast-paced, action-packed, gun-toting western with corrupt lawmen, greedy moonshiners, and a fortune in gold coins. Riley and his fiddle-playing Gramps set out to save the family, the farm, and the oil-rich town of Sparrow. This is an exciting, fast-reading story of a young boy who finds courage and strength to overcome many obstacles and situations to save the day. A must for fans of the old west!!- reviewed by Susan, South County Regional, Read more…

by Myers, Walter DeanTake a trip with Artemis and his young side-kick Frolic, across the western frontier. From the barren region of New Mexico to the icy cold terrain of Alaska, Artemis and Frolic must outwit Catfish Grime and his lovely, but mean spirited lady friend to revenge his uncle’s death and recover the lost treasure. Myers reveals the story of a young man who continuously must choose the righteous path in a sinful world. Frolic entered the journey as an adolescent and crosses the threshold into manhood by the end of their excursion. This is an excellent choice for first time western readers.- reviewed by Ursula, Independence Regional, Read more…