Today I'm pleased to share a great book with you all. As part of her book blog tour, Vivian asked me to talk with my readers about her book. Here are my thoughts.
Prairie dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel
Life as a Cowboy back in the day
Buddy is five years old and dreams of being a cowboy when he grows up. He tends to the cattle on his pa’s homestead and with the help of his dog Patch does a pretty good job. He works hard, and his neighbor Caleb Hyman recognizes this. He offers Buddy a job, when he can rope a prairie dog.
As the years pass, Buddy gets really good at being a cowboy and many of the neighbors take notice. They bring horses for him to break, cows for him to keep an eye on and he does all this while going to school and taking care of his parents land.
The one thing Buddy doesn’t seem to have is his mother’s love. He doesn’t understand and try as he might by planting the fields, harvesting them when it’s time and taking care of all the outside chores, she doesn’t change her attitude towards him. Then Buddy’s father becomes ill and things get worse. Will Buddy’s mom ever love him? Why does she favor his older brother Jake? Will the brothers become friends? Find out as you read this action packed tale.
V. Gilbert Zabel has a way of spinning a story. Taking a time in our country’s history that is full of change, she tells of this young boy’s trials, tragedies and triumphs. Sprinkled into the story are facts about life as a cowboy back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s in the Oklahoma territory turned state.
At the back of the book there is some information that helps take this book beyond reading. There are sections about life in “No Man’s Land”, prairie dogs and a set of discussion questions to help reinforce what you’ve read. This book will be a great supplement in any classroom.
Going with my theme of books going beyond reading, Vivian has added some very good information at the back of this book. She's also told me that she's working on a teacher's guide for even more information. One suggestion she had was to have kids who read the book write how they would act or react if they went through one or more of the experiences Buddy did. This would be a very good project and I bet everyone in the classroom would learn a thing or two from the other students.
Interested in purchasing your own copy? You can if you go to 4 RV Publishing While you’re there, look around there are lots of great books available.
Vivian and 4 RV Publishing are giving away 4 canvas bag with the 4RV logo on it. How can you get a chnce to win this? Leave comments during the 8 day tour. She says sorry, but they can be shipped in the U.S. or Canada only.
The other stops along the way are:
February 15:
Ransom Noble
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
February 16:
Beverly Stowe McClure
Jennifer Nipps
February 17 :
Nancy Famolari
Joy Delgado Yes, I'm hosting at both blogs today. Hop over, Zebee is talking with Buddy from the story about what it's like to be a cowboy.
February 18:
Elysabeth also at her other blog
Rena Jones and at her other blog
February 19 :
Malcolm R. Campbell
Chris Speakman
February 20:
Joyce Anthony
Nikki Shoemaker
February 21:
Holly Jahangiri
February 22: - wrap up
Vivian Zabel
Hope to see you in the blog comments!
I'll be back tomorrow with tip number 29.
13 comments:
Poor Buddy. For any child to not have his mother's love is a terrible thing. (Yes, I know it's fiction, but we writers get involved with characters whether we're writing about them or reading about them. LOL)
Get involved with your characters? What I like is when they take over and even though you're doing the typing, they're guiding your fingures.
Pop over to my other blog http://zooprisepartyfiestazoorpresa.blogspot.com/ and catch an interview between Zebee and Buddy.
Joy
What really is sad is the fact that even today children live in homes where one parent or both do not love them.
Buddy is fortunate in the fact other adults tried to fill that void left by his mother's lack of love.
I enjoyed the interview Zeebee had with Buddy on your other blog.
Buddy liked it, too.
You're so right Vivian. I can't imagine having to grow up with parents that didn't love me. Buddy was lucky and he grew into a great adult because of it.
BTW, Zebee liked talking with Buddy too. He even toyed with the idea of letting Buddy try to ride him, but then had a change of heart.
Joy
I'm really looking forward to reading this book. I think many people will be able to relate to not having a parent's love or full time attention, and receiving it from someone else. Great review!
Rena, you'll have to let me know how you and the boys like that book.
Thanks for stopping by everyone.
Joy
Thank you, Joy, for hosting us, and thanks, everyone who stopped by and visited.
Great idea of having the students write a report on how they would act or react to one of Buddy's experiences. I've been trying to come up with some ideas to help Vivian get her teacher's guide written (don't tell her because it's still in my head) and may have something soon - E :)
Thanks for stopping by Elysabeth. the report idea was from Vivian. I'm sure you'll have a really great teacher's guide to go along with your series.
Vivian, It was a pleasure. Any time in the future you need tour hosts for children books, let me know.
Joy
I like your additional study ideas. Very informative.
Thanks Suzy.
Joy
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