Madeleine Takes Command (Living History Library) (Paperback)
by Ethel C. Brill
ISBN: 1883937175

Price: USD 11.16
46 used & new available from USD 5.96

Madeleine and her two brothers, Louis and Alexandre, are the only members of the Vecheres family in their seigneury. Their father is away fighting and their mother has just left on a business trip, leaving Madeleine in charge. Soon after, the fort is attacked by Mohawks. Madeleine must defend the fort with only six others, two of which cannot be trusted to hold their posts.

This book is set during the French and Indian war. It is based on a real event, as described in the epilogue. I found it to be a good story and true to historical details. Madeleine Take Command is definitely worthy of your time.

True To The Old Flag: A Tale Of The American War Of Independence (Paperback)
by G. A. Henty
ISBN: 157646864X

Price: USD 8.95
3 used & new available from USD 8.05

At the start of the American Revolutionary War, young Harold joins the British side with his father. He becomes a talented scout, helps win several battles, has narrow escapes from the enemy, and manages to be around for almost every part of the war.

Here’s a book that is remarkably interesting for the fact that it is about the British side of the American Revolution. The battles are done well, at points Henty even has me (an American) rooting for the British. And yet, for some reason, the story keeps getting sidetracked into Indian fights. About seven long chapters in the book are solely about Harold and his friends fighting Indians. Even though the main story is good, it is rather annoying to have the war grind to a halt so that Harold can rescue his cousin from Indians. However, hearing the British side of the story makes the book worth reading anyway.

The Forest Runners: A Story of the Great War Trail in Early Kentucky (Paperback)
by Joseph A. Altsheler
ISBN: 1426482647

Price: USD 12.99
18 used & new available from USD 12.99

Henry Ware and his friend Paul Cotter from Wareville are delivering some gunpowder to a settlement called Marlowe. On the way, Paul is captured by Shawnee Indians and then rescued by Henry. Henry and Paul are followed by the Shawnee Indians to an abandoned house. They escape from the Indians and meet up with some of their friends.

This book is one of the better ones of Joseph Altsheler’s books. The Forest Runners moves quickly for most of the book.

Rascal (PMC) (Puffin Modern Classics) (Paperback)
by Sterling North
ISBN: 0142402524

Price: USD 5.99
59 used & new available from USD 1.82

Just another walk in the woods. A bag of cookies, his dog Wowser and his good friend Oscar, what else could Sterling North want? Then Wowser finds a den-full of raccoon kits, and the boys decide to take them home. They can’t take them home without the mother, so they determine to catch the treed raccoon. . .with the aid of no more than a pocket knife and their jackets. The results are laughable. In the skirmish, the mother and three kits escape, but one of the kits isn’t quick enough. Sterling takes tiny Rascal home and obtains permission to keep him. Getting the permission isn’t hard, as his mother is dead, his older sisters living away from the house, and his older brother fighting in the war. His father lives in a world all his own, only occasionally taking time to be with his young son. He doesn’t mind the raccoon, or the canoe Sterling is building in the living room. Everything progresses wonderfully until Rascal develops a taste for sweet corn. The angry neighbors, robbed of their crops, demand that Rascal be kept in a cage. How can Sterling lock up a young, wild creature? Some tough decisions face him and he has to answer them.

I love this book. It is so interesting and enjoyable. Rascal is such a cute raccoon! Sterling North does a wonderful job of telling the story. There are so many adventures and characters. The memorable incidents with his older sister Theo’s missing engagement ring, the school bully, and the pie-eating contest. Very funny and memorable. Unfortunately, there are a few evolutionary references and, if I remember correctly, a mild bad word or two.

The Black Pearl (Newberry Honor Book) (Paperback)
by Scott O’Dell
ISBN: 0440411467

Price: USD 6.99
86 used & new available from USD 0.10

El Manta Diablo is nothing more than a scary story about a giant manta ray, right? When Ramon Salazar finds the largest pearl ever known, he is not so sure. An old Indian claims Manta Diablo will take back the pearl, and Ramon’s life.

I believe this story is a great example of why you shouldn’t be superstitious, however, the ending proves that Ramon doesn’t learn that lesson. Whatever. Scott O’ Dell has another winner, although a rather short one.

Henry Reeds Journey (Paperback)
by Keith Robertson
ISBN: 0440435552

Price: —
30 used & new available from USD 0.10

Henry Reed is coming back to Grover’s Corner, but in a whole new way. Instead of flying directly to Grover’s Corner, he’s going to San Francisco, where his friend Midge’s family is. They all plan to drive back, across the continent back to New Jersey. But with Henry and Midge having a way of starting innocent accidents, and souvenirs for their travel museum piling up, Mr. Glass might not survive to drive them home!

Personally, this is my favorite Henry Reed book. Everywhere the car stops, Henry and Midge cause an accident or get pulled into something. From Midge starting a gold rush, to Henry saving a hotel swimming pool, Henry Reed’s Journey is a definite winner. Too bad it’s out of print.

Hidden Trail (Hardcover)
by Jim Klelgaard
ISBN:

Price: —
2 used & new available from USD 24.10

Somehow, every winter, a thousand elk disappear from a national park. To find out why, Tom Rainse (of A Nose for Trouble fame) sends Jase Mason, a wildlife photographer, into the park to find out. And what he finds is shocking. Now, if only he can get out of the park alive…

Not quite as exciting as some other Kjelgaard books, but still pretty good. Jase being a photographer, there’s a lot of him taking pictures, which sometimes is a little boring. The conclusion is good, if not a bit sudden. Still a good read, though.

Riflemen of the Ohio (Library Binding)
by Joseph A. Altsheler
ISBN: 089968226X

Price: —
0 used & new available from —

This book begins when a fleet of boats comes from New Orleans carrying supplies to settlers in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the Indians are rallying together to drive all settlers from their land. The Indians attack the fleet while it is in the narrow areas on the Ohio River. The fleet has to force their way through to help a settlement in time, after being told by Henry Ware that it was in danger.

I liked this book for two reasons. Because I like books with adventure in them, and this book is the sequel to Kentucky Frontiersmen.

The Sign of the Beaver (Paperback)
by Elizabeth George Speare
ISBN: 0440479002

Price: USD 6.50
317 used & new available from USD 0.10

After they finish their cabin in Maine, Matt’s father starts back for Massachusetts, leaving twelve year old Matt behind to guard the cabin. Matt has fun living by himself, until he tackles a nest of bees. An old Indian chief and his grandson Attean have been watching him and decide to help Matt out. In return, Matt agrees to teach Attean to read and speak English. The two boys resent the forced friendship at first, but end up doing everything together. What will Matt do when his father returns?

Well, this is a great book. I gave it four stars, because it’s a bit slow at the start, but it picks up later. You will learn a lot of interesting things about Pioneers and Indians. There was a TV movie of this book called Keeping the Promise, but I haven’t seen it.

Mustang: Wild Spirit Of The West (Paperback)
by Marguerite Henry
ISBN: 068971601X

Price: USD 5.99
86 used & new available from USD 0.10

In this true story, Annie Bronn, also known as “Wild Horse Annie,” feels she belongs with mustangs. She faces sickness and other problems but finally comes to a new ranch, where she grows up. After marrying, life is wonderful—until she is faced with a sight that will change her life forever. She risks her life again and again to save the mustangs that the cruel mustangers are heartlessly slaughtering. Her endeavor actually brings her to the White House, but will Annie be able to save the wild horses before they are destroyed forever?

I enjoyed reading this book! Mustangs… Adventures… Despairs… etc. Be careful, you might not want to put it down!