Review by Booklist Review
Twelve-year-old Will is the son of freed slaves living as sharecroppers in Texas. When Will's father finds a notice about a land rush in Oklahoma, Will and his father set out to find a home of their own. Rhodes tells the tale of the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush through the eyes of Black Americans. Will's father experienced the journey to Texas from a Louisiana plantation and now journeys with his son to create a homestead of their own. Will must brave racism in towns, the Red River crossing, and thieves as he travels the arduous route to Oklahoma. Once he arrives, further adventure and danger await as he experiences the land rush and stakes his claim. Will comes of age as he sees both the good and bad in people in the post--Civil War West. A former Union officer named Caesar, who joins them on their trek, provides further insight into the difficulties facing Black Americans during Reconstruction. Illustrations appear throughout, and an afterword offers more information about the time period as experienced by marginalized groups. Adventure, history, and heart make this often overlooked perspective in western life a must-read in all library collections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Black 12-year-old Will sets out with his mule Belle and his sharecropper father to claim land in this riveting historical saga by Rhodes (Treasure Island), set during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush. Desperate to escape his boring life and experience his own adventure ("I want to do something. Leave our tiresome home"), Will is determined to prove himself during the trip despite Father's claims that he's "not tough." But the journey proves difficult as the two contend with rattlesnakes, racism, and thieves. After they encounter a former Union soldier named Caesar and his horse, Midnight, Will and Father's relationship begins to evolve as Will learns more about the cost of freedom for Black people. Short, quickly paced chapters depict Will's fight for survival and his noble, ever-present desire to provide a better future for his family. Ripe with historical facts and moments of high tension, this adventurous story reflects on the aftereffects of violence on soldiers and what life looked like for Black citizens following the conclusion of the Civil War. It's an empowering read that never loses sight of Will's profound exploration of adolescence. Ages 8--12. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up--Over 400 miles separate Texas, where Will's family are sharecroppers, from Oklahoma, where a massive land claim is scheduled for April 1889. Father, once enslaved, is determined to make the perilous journey with young Will, aided by their mule, Belle. Despite the dangers ahead--wild animals, weather, terrain--Father knows, post-Civil War, "People are the most worrisome." But good people also exist, including ex-soldier Caesar who joins father and son partway. Facing and fighting countless adversities, Will must adapt quickly: "A man needs to decide what price he's willing to pay to live free." Stage actor Hampton creates a remarkable cast, presenting his young protagonist with a soft, Southern accent, capturing his imminent maturity. He deftly presents distinct characterizations throughout: gruff Grandpa, steely Father, even hee-hawing Belle. Caesar, particularly, is a gravelly voiced wonder. VERDICT Hampton transforms Rhodes's latest informative historical novel into an unforgettably exhilarating adventure.
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Review by Horn Book Review
In this coming-of-age Western, twelve-year-old Will Samuels and his father, a stoic, formerly enslaved man, leave their sharecropper home in Texas for the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. Along the way, they encounter Caesar, a Black former Union officer who makes the journey with them. The group encounters perils such as wild animals, gunslingers, and, most dangerous of all, former Confederate soldiers who are still fighting the war. Will and Father grow closer during the brutal trek. Eventually, circumstances force Will to show leadership and bravery to help his family lay claim to land. Rhodes's storytelling is at its strongest during times of high drama, such as when Caesar is shot and when the trio traverses the treacherous Red River. The writing isn't quite as successful during quieter moments, and the use of relatively modern terms such as "Black" and "enslaved" is a bit jarring in a historical novel. Still, readers who love adventure will find much to enjoy here, and the book would pair well with Cline-Ransome's One Big Open Sky (rev. 3/24). An afterword addresses how the land rush was made possible by the subjugation of Indigenous people and links this fictional story with the Tulsa Race Massacre that saw racist whites kill successful Black residents, many of whose families participated in the 1889 land rush. Marva Anne HintonMarch/April 2025 p.82 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Twelve-year-old William Samuels sets out on the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush with his father and their faithful mule, Belle. One evening in 1888, Will's father, who was formerly enslaved, comes home late with news that changes the family's lives forever. He's carrying a flyer announcing a land rush more than 400 miles away from where they live as sharecroppers in Texas. This opportunity means they could build property on land that belongs only to them, land that Will could inherit just like the sons of the white men they work for. It also means adventure. They make plans for Will and Father to set off on the trek together, but nothing can truly prepare Will for what's to come, from the grueling wilderness terrain to the dangerous people and deadly snakes they encounter. Father and son also meet a mysterious ex-Union soldier named Caesar, who helps when they're in dire straits and joins them on their journey. When major responsibility for the success of their venture falls on Will's shoulders, he pushes through, despite facing threats until the very end. The short chapters make this fast-paced and eventful ride through the West an accessible and engaging read. Although Will's internal and external conflicts are central to the story, Rhodes' well-developed peripheral characters have incredible depth, adding complexity to the straightforward adventure. Final art not seen. An exciting gallop through real history with little-known heroes taking the lead. (author's note)(Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
