Customer Reviews

Beyond the Smoke

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Great YA book for young people who like western fiction. Your young person can read it without fear of encountering anything objectionable.

Sixteen-year-old Bryan Wheeler and his parents were traveling to Oregon when Comanches attacked their wagon train and slaughtered everyone except for Bryan, who was away tracking a rabbit. On his own, Bryan struggles back to more civilized territory, meeting up with a slightly odd professor named Harold Donovan and his orphaned ward, Carol Sue Finney. The professor welcomes Bryan, who thinks that traveling with the professor might be the solution to his problems--until Bryan accidentally humiliates the lawmen in the town of Turkey Creek. The town sheriff and muncipal judge are determined to make Bryan pay, no matter the legal bounds of their authority. Only Bryan's wits--and a Texas Ranger named Clay Davidson--can keep the lawmen from doing their worst.

"Beyond the Smoke" reads like a poorly written version of one of Gary Paulsen's Francis Tuckett westerns. Burns clearly researched the West (apparently this book was set just after the Civil War, before the federal government created Oklahoma in an attempt to punish the Indians for how many of them sided with the Confederacy), and the details he includes about daily life on the frontier go a long way towards making his book work. Unfortunately, some of his dialogue is weak, especially where the professor is concerned. Burns, in an attempt to make the professor sound educated, overdoes some of the vocabulary, causing the professor seem too distant to be the caring man he obviously is. Other pieces of dialogue are somewhat awkward, with the characters sometimes making long statements most people would only write. And Bryan's internal struggles are not very well expressed. We know him, but not closely enough. We never really begin to understand who Carol Sue is inside, despite her large part in the book. The best-drawn character is probably Davidson, whom we understand despite the fact that he shows up less than Bryan, Carol Sue, or the professor.

Younger teens and readers who just like adventure stories may enjoy this book. But if you prefer to spend your money on well-written fiction, I would advise you to skip it.

Review by Jill Williamson

Bryan Wheeler is out hunting dinner. He shoots a nice rabbit and takes it back to the wagon train only to find everything destroyed and everyone killed--including his family. Comanche raiders had attacked while he was out hunting and they could come back anytime. Bryan quickly gathers a few supplies and sets out to find a safe place. He meets plenty of trouble on his journey including a violent slave owner, a young Indian boy, and a town with a sheriff set on giving him trouble. Will Bryan ever find a real home again?

Beyond the Smoke is the exciting story of one young man's adventures in the Wild West. I enjoyed following Bryan as he made his way to a new life. No matter what he encountered, he always acted with integrity. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great adventure.

After a Comanche war party attacks his wagon train, sixteen-year-old Bryan Wheeler is left alone on the Oregon Trail. Young people grow up quickly on the frontier, but Bryan doesn't realize his education will come at such a high price. Though lonely and afraid, Bryan realizes he still has his parents with him through their faith and the lessons they taught him.

Along his journey, Bryan faces adversity at every turn. He must escape an evil man who beats him and treats him like a slave, an attack of Comanche warriors, and a sheriff who charges him with horse stealing. Though often in danger, Bryan treats all he meets with grace and respect.

Author Terry Burns brings characters to life through realistic dialog and attention to detail. Readers learn interesting tidbits about Indian culture and language, skills a young person needs to survive the rigors of frontier life, how plants are used for their natural medicinal properties, and the history of the region.

Highly recommended reading. The author has created a story of compassion and grace, danger and excitement that will keep the reader turning pages. The author's familiarity with the setting and cowboy history add authenticity to the story.