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This story is told in the style of a journal written by a ten year old girl who travels by wagon train with her parents and her twelve year old brother from St. Joseph, Missouri to Fort Laramie (Wyoming) in 1860. The author relates a very detailed account of how life was lived on a highly organized wagon train (and some comparisons with one that was slopped together and suffered great difficulties from it). We also see the growth of character in the family (particularly the mother) who must accustome themselves to hard labor and ignoring their previous station in society. There are many beautiful examples of how our behavior and attitudes can change the lives of others and how intensely the choices we make can be crucial to the things that matter most. The story as a whole offers great themes of heroism and sacrifice and should provide lots of material for thought and discussion. A very unique and worthwhile book.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Mamma have so much difficulty adjusting to life aboard the wagon train? How does the journey change her life?

2. Why do the Cleavers find themselves in trouble with the others on the wagon train?

3. After the trial of the Cleavers (Chapter 5), Papa tries to explain to Mama why things turned out the way they did. He says "There are times, Ellen, when a person must live for others before they can have a full life for themselves." Explain how this might be considered a theme in the book by applying it to the actions of Mama and of Jerry.

4. Did Jerry make the right decision in Chapter 13? Explain why or why not in terms of practical considerations and his Christian faith.

Giant of the Western Trail by Rev. Michael McHugh, about Fr. Pierre-Jean de Smet, has many interconnections with Brave Buffalo Fighter. In addition to many details of Indian life in the same geographical locations, it provides some Catholic perspective to that time and place in history. Since both books are also appropriate to the same grade levels (7th - 12th), they would be great to read in close proximity. I would suggest Brave Buffalo Fighter first because it is more novel-like and exciting and provides an excellent preview to the story of Fr. deSmet.

This book is now included in the Bethlehem Budget Book The Flying Ensign, also reviewed on this site.

I really liked this book. I can vouch for my wife's statement that this is a great read aloud. I read it to my children at bedtime (ages 3 through 9) - they were engaged... though the younger ones usually fell asleep. The older two LOVED it.

Like the first book, there are plentiful descriptions of landscape, escapes, rescues, heroes, villians and architecture. The latter two are grouped for a reason. This book finds the ensign and all the principle characters of the last book together again. This time however, the story centers around a diversion to rescue the beautiful Anita and her noble father Don Claudio del Riego (one of the wealthiest noblemen in French-occupied Spain). They have been kidnapped, along with their hidden cache of jewels, by the traitorous El Cuchillo - a brigand from an ancient and once respected family - who makes his home in the family castle in the mountains. The castle features a knife-like spike of rock projecting up from within the fortress.

That the Spanish nobleman is now allied with the occupying French force, or that he chose to be a brigand rather than a noble may each be subjects for discussion of how the author gave him his nickname and abode - El Cuchillo - The Knife.

I had a hard time unraveling some of the battle scenes the author describes in the story until I got to the very helpful map on pg. 277. There's a lot of interesting military history, but I would have appreciated a few more maps.

It should also be noted that the author, while painting the valor and honor which the young ensign felt and aspired to, does not refrain from describing some of the gruesome aspects of battle. Unlike so many Disney stories (thank goodness) men actually die in this book. Children are neither idiots nor prudes in realizing the effect of violence can be death! You may want to read it to your kids - you can. But, for younger listeners, you may wish to keep an eye out for the few graphic descriptions. For instance: "In the ranks a few yards away gaps appeard - men flung into fragments by the flying [cannon] balls, men struck down and screaming in agony." Or in the story above: "... saw one twelve-pounder ball hurtle through the ranks a few paces from him, tearing two green-coated men into red fragments and ripping an arm from a third."

This is an enjoyable, readable story about a heroic young man who braves dangers and wins. In other words, a good hero story for kids. And the pretty young sable-haired Anita should be appealing to both boys and girls as a person who knows courage as well as courtliness.

This "Budget Book" offers four full-length stories in one volume...

Clear for Action by Stephen Meader (copyright 1940)
Clear for Action tells of American sailing at the beginning of the War of 1812. Jeff Robbins is a young sailor from Maine, taking his first voyage aboard a cargo schooner bound for the Carribean. All aboard are nervous about being overtaken by British vessels who have been intercepting ships, blocking harbors and making trouble all along the Atlantic Coast. Jeff's world is turned upside down when their schooner is apprehended and he and several of his shipmates are forced into service on a British frigate. Clear for Action is an interesting and worthwhile adventure story that provides all kinds of insightful angles on the War of 1812 and offers a unique contrast to very-British Midshipman Quinn collection. The story wraps up amidst interesting plot-twists - a deserted island, buried treasure and big plans.

Reviewed 4-29-02

Whaler Round the Horn by Stephen Meader (copyright 1950)

Stephen Meader's "whaling yarn" brings to life the exciting and dangerous adventures of a New England whaleboat sailing all the way around Cape Horn (at the tip of South America) to the Pacific Ocean. Young Rodney Glenn, an orphan from New Hampshire, has always wanted to be a whaler, and we follow him aboard his first time at sea. Everything is new and exciting to his young eyes and young people of today will readily relate to his adventures.

Historically speaking, it's nice to find a story that gives an honest look at the interesting but sometimes ugly world of whaling without the politically correct shock and contempt with which whalers of the past are generally treated today. This was uniquely important to me in that one of my great-great-great grandfathers was a Portuguese whaler from the Azores. The first time I told my daughter about this ancestor (who was also a third order Carmelite) she reacted with disgust, given her great interest in whales and the number of books and shows on whales she had eagerly digested.

In addition to the whale theme which contains undercurrents of Moby Dick, 19th Century Hawaii provides a unique contrast with the home port in New England and the main character's adventures through massive storms (the Perfect Storm has little on this), harrowing escapes from the "jaws of death" and adventures on a deserted stretch of one of the Hawaiian Islands make for a memorable and engaging story.

Reviews of the other two stories in the Budget Book Cleared for Action by Stephen Meader will be forthcoming.

This charming story, a Newbery Honor Book for 1928, has just been reprinted by Bethlehem Books. Set on the Island of Nantucket, off of Cape Cod in Massachusetts in the 1810s and 1820s, the story follows the Coffyn family in the largely Quaker community of Nantucket, and especially their daughter Dionis "Dencey". Dencey is a young girl from a proper Quaker family with a temper and a heart of gold. She befriends an outcast boy and teaches him to read in order to make up for hurting him in a fit of temper. Their friendship baffles Dencey's parents and the community but bears fruit in unexpected ways. It is a lovely story, filled with truths about faith, family and friendship. It is a little complex, though, and (as recommended by the publisher) is probably best for ages 12 and up.

In their latest "Budget Book", Bethlehem Books gives us a double dose of adventure featuring Ensign Peter Byrd of the "Fighting 95th" Riflemen of the British army.... The Flying Ensign (copyright 1960)

In the first story, the treacherous mountains of Northern Spain in winter provide a unique backdrop for the harrowing and courageous endeavours of "the Flying Ensign" and his comrades in rescuing their friend from certain death behind enemy lines and subsequently attempting to rejoin the ranks of the British army as they retreat from a desperate and lop-sided challenge to Napoleon's forces.

Fans of Showell Styles' Midshipman Quinn stories will recognize the similar attention to detail and themes of courage and ingenuity tied up with actual historic events in the Flying Ensign but with fresh characters, settings, and adventures. The landscape, architecture and culture of Spain are a fascinating place to experience mountain climbing adventures, hair-raising rescues and escapes and a wide variety of heroes and villains on both sides of the battle lines.

A quick and engaging read for ages 10 and up or a great read aloud for the whole family.

Also see our review of the second book in this volume - Byrd of the 95th.

Hans Brinker is a story designed to bring children of the 19th century (from around the world) an understanding and appreciation of the culture, traditions and history of Holland. The story focuses on the Brinker family. Ten years before the story begins, the father was seriously injured working on the dikes (which keep the water out of the reclaimed land of Holland), leaving him with the intelligence of a small child. Mrs. Brinker struggles to meet ends while remaining faithful to her husband's wish to never sell a watch he had given her. The two children, Hans and Gretel, are shunned by many at school for their shabby clothing. Meanwhile the story develops with a number of Hans' schoolmates who take a skating trip along the frozen canals through several important Dutch cities. The boys visit various churches and museums, allowing the reader to be impressed by many interesting tidbits from Holland's history. In the end, Mrs. Brinker and her family's perserverance faithfulness is greatly rewarded. A heartwarming classic tale and a great read-aloud for the family.

Set in aristocratic England of the late 19th century, this novel by a convert to Catholicism explores the concept of our participation in the Atonement. Young Sir Nevill Fanning is thoughtlessly and unconsciously pagan (though outwardly Catholic) and heir to his dear Aunt Ann's estate. Early on, he falls in love with a Protestant, and this raises various issues both within his aunt and within himself. A Mr. Morpeth represents the holiness and wisdom of the Church as Nevill and Ann work out their salvation.The novel is at once a profound explanation and touching portrayal of intercessory prayer and atoning suffering, using the unique idiom of the novel, in which the author can create and then unfold an entire cast of characters. Psychological insights and matters of spiritual growth are magnified and clarified in the lens of story. For various reasons, I have recently read a lot of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, and it is all the more interesting to enter into an English countryside world not too far removed from theirs in place or time, but very much removed in theological reach.It would have been helpful if the publishers had included a table of contents. Several striking passages proved very hard to relocate. There is an extraordinarily sweet and insightful passage about people who see little "signs" in various things. (See Book 2, chapter V, section IV, or, page 261) Even the first passage about initiation, a thoughtful reflection on the difference between those who have come to accept what happens and those who have not, is very hard to find. It's on page 71, and it is clearly the prologue to the interior substance of the story.

In this first book of the new series The Danville Chronicles, Joan Stromberg has found a fun and exciting way to teach faith to your children ten years and older. It will capture their imagination and keep their minds thinking.

This book takes place in the town of Danville, Pennsylvania in 1875. The biggest Iron Mill in town is owned by Mr. Graves. It has just exploded and Mary Mulhearn, an Irish immigrant, and her blind friend Kathleen Dodd are trying to find evidence that Mary's father, Mr. Mulhearn, is innocent of blowing up the Iron Mill and becoming a Molly Maguire. Although Mary's family knows he would never turn into a Molly Maguire and blow up the Iron Mill were he worked before it exploded, they also know that their realization of his innocence alone will not be enough to win the trial against Mr. Mulhearn.

Then one day, to make things more puzzling for Mary, a man who calls himself Sean McGinty shows up at Mary's door and says he is an immigrant right off a boat from Ireland and finds a place to stay at the Mulhearns' house. But Mary doesn't believe his story and is on his case. Mary and Kathleen go through adventures and trials, they find a detective book under a man's bed, they notice a ring that has shown up on two people, they spot a man in the town graveyard during the night, and they learn how to spy on a spy. They also have many more questions than answers at one point. Who is Sean really? Is he a Molly Maguire or is he on Mr. Graves' side? Who blew up the mill and why? If you want to know the answers to these questions and more and if Mary cracks the case and finds out whom Sean really is, you will have to read The Iron Spy for yourself.

What better kind of book could you ask for than a Catholic history mystery that will not let your mind wander or let your eyes drift from its thrilling pages?

From the opening pages, there is an air of mystery and suspense. Who is this stranger riding on a horse and what does he want? Jamberoo Road is a story set in 1830 on the Australian coast of a group of ten orphans and Misabella, a hard-working woman of indomitable spirit, and for many of them, the only mother they have known.

Together they are carving out a homestead in this lush and untamed land. In this sequel to The Switherby Pilgrims, many of the children are no longer children, but on the verge of adulthood, ready to make a place for themselves in the world and that involves hard choices. For Cassie, that means accepting her first job as governess to the sister of the handsome, gentlemanly Edward Marlow. But what about Eben, her companion and friend from youth? Will independent Cassie become enamored with her new position as governess in a wealthy colonial family? Cassie is not the only one who has to make hard choices. Impetuous Luke too must decide whether or not to be led down a dangerous “road.”

As the plot unfolds, there is trouble in the area as a group of natives led by Billy Major covet the Marlows’ prize horses. Will Billy Major and his band succeed in stealing the Marlows’ horses and at what risk does he hope to carry out his plan?

Wrapped in an exciting adventure story, this story also covers the dilemma many young people have to face with choices, especially those dealing with lifelong consequences.

This is really a rather remarkable novel about the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - probably the most famous battle of the Civil War. The Southern Armies, under General Lee, decided to invade the North in order to strike a blow that would "hit home" and make the Northerners wish to end the war. North and South met in the small farming town of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania and engaged in bloody battle for three days. The cost in human life was devastating to both sides. The defeat of the South at this battle seemed avoidable, but turned out to be decisive in the overall outcome of the war.

What is remarkable about this book is both the completeness of the picture we are given of the importance and complexity of the battle and the humanity of its key players. It is surprisingly unbiased toward either side, instead focusing on understanding the multitude of motivations that influenced the key players. The book contains twenty-three chapters. Each chapter tells a piece of the story from the point of view of different characters (a number of the characters have more than one chapter - four chapters are from General Lee's point of view, six chapters are from Colonel Chaberlain's point of view, etc.) The author seems to take special care in elaborating upon the South's General Longstreet and the North's Colonel Chamberlain.

High school students and adults will come away from this book with a much fuller sense of the gravity and scope of the civil war. It is intense, although not overly graphic and does contain some coarse language (which is both realistic and not overdone).

Note: The recent movie, Gettysburg, is based on this book and is quite good. It is remarkably non-gory without destroying the necessary sense of reality. I would recommend reading the book first as it provides some details not shown in the movie and makes it much easier to follow the multitude of characters. My one caveat is that I didn't care for the way General Lee was portrayed in the movie. They left out some important details that would have affected his admittedly poor decisions (namely his bad health) and in general, I found Martin Sheen's portrayal too buffoonish and undignified in contrast with the book.