Arizona Charlie and the Klondike Kid [Hardcover]

Julie Lawson (Author), Kasia Charko (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Does Ben have what it takes to be a Wild West star? Arizona Charlie was King of the Cowboys--a crack shot, a champion lasso twirler and a fearless horseman. He was famous all over the world. And he'd come to live in the gold rush town of Dawson City. The year is 1899. The place is Dawson City, Yukon. Ben longs to be a Wild West star, just like Arizona Charlie. He practices lassoing. He perfects his aim with a slingshot. At last he gets a place in the closing act of the Wild West show. Ben prepares to perform in front of a packed house, but the performance does not go as he expected. Will Ben earn the title that he dreams of? Will he become the Klondike Kid?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-The author of The Klondike Cat (Kids Can, 2002) spins another tale of the Yukon Gold Rush era. When Arizona Charlie, a Wild West show entertainer and lasso champ, comes to live in Dawson City, young Ben practices twirling his rope and fantasizes about being just like him. The boy's dream-come-true moment arrives when Charlie asks him to be part of his closing act. Renaming himself the Klondike Kid, Ben can't wait to share the gas-lit stage with his idol. However, a case of unexpected stage fright (induced in part by Charlie's surprise announcement that the Kid will assist in his sharpshooting act) causes Ben to run shaking from the theater. However, he earns his moment of glory later when he puts his lasso to practical use and rounds up an escaping thief on the street. Dawson City in its heyday comes alive in Charko's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations. The artwork, which is a bit reminiscent of Wild West show posters, is action packed. A brief note about the real Arizona Charlie, Charlie Meadows, is included. This story provides a little bibliotherapy, a little history, and a lot of fun.
Sue Sherif, Alaska State Library, Anchorage
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551432501
• ISBN-13: 978-1551432502
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,631,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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