Jan Young(The Orange Slipknot)
Author Jan Young received a BA in Behavioral Science from Pacific University in Fresno, CA before going on to study writing with the Institute of Children ’s Literature. Experience and knowledge for this book came in part by living with her husband and two sons in the ranching community in Humboldt County, Nevada for many years. She has many publishing credits for both fiction and nonfiction articles and short stories. This is her first novel.
Category: MIDDLE-GRADE FICTION/Cowboys/Ranch Life
ETHNIC/Conduct of Life
TOPICAL /Ranch Life/Nevada
Trim Size: 5 1/4 x 7 3/4
Soft cover, Perfect bound
Pages: 168
Illustrations: 6, by Pat Lehmkuhl
Price $10.00
ISBN: 0-9772525-5-8
Publication Date: Spring 2008
Library of Congress Control #: 2007010983
Includes CIP data block
Twelve-year-old Ben is impatient to grow up and fill the footprints his father leaves on the Nevada cattle ranch where he works as the ‘top hand.’ Meeting the high expectations of his father is difficult enough, without the enmity expressed by Fred, the old cow boss, who seems to hate him. His Great Idea of roping a ground squirrel takes a disastrous turn that results in Big Trouble for him and good-natured teasing from all the cowboys in the bunkhouse. Trying to help Ben get back into the good graces of both his father and Fred, these working ‘buckaroos’ teach him some old-time western skills that will help him take responsibility for the trouble he has caused. Ben grows up very quickly when he’s put in a position where only he can save Fred’s life, earning the respect he craves from everyone on the ranch.
This exciting story is a window on ranch life in the Great basin of the United States . Here, cowboy culture and practices reflect the strong influence of the Spanish vaquero traditions of the Old West. Customs and terms specific to this area and still in use today are defined in a glossary in the back of the book.
