Illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov
Narrated by Christopher Hampton
5 stars
I’ll admit I put off reading this one because I didn’t think I’d ever like a Western. But oh my gosh, this book was so good.
Will and his father set out from Texas to Oklahoma to stake their claim during the Land Rush of 1889. Along the way, they’ll face a rushing river, dangerous wildlife, and the most unpredictable foe of all: humans. But they’ll also meet amazing people who help them on their journey as they deepen their relationship as father as son.
Fantastically written. Great pacing. Engaging and action-packed. Everything about this book is just amazing.
The audiobook narration was great. So glad the Libro.fm copy also includes a PDF of the illustrations, because the artwork is phenomenal.
Deals with themes of manhood, bravery, racism, survival, family, coming of age, and the relationship between father and son.
I also appreciate the note at the end recognizing the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. It’s easy to root for Will and his family, but I like that Rhodes makes a point to note the fact they are racing for land stolen from Indigenous people.
Such an amazing book. I highly recommend everyone read this one.