Customer Reviews

The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story starts out stereotypically enough; a young girl forced to live with mean relatives, disguises herself as a boy and runs away from home. But her adventures and espescially her antagonistic friendship with the gentleman outlaw take this book above the pat story. She has a goal; to get to Tinville and maybe find her father, but she needs money. The gentleman outlaw has money, but he needs her help in his schemes. Out of their mutual need, they stick together, and she proves herself a formidable ally to the end. Their adventures together are so enthralling, one almost forgets entirely about the inevitable ending. This book is reminiscent of one of my favorite movie's -- Paper Moon, with a less fantastical outcome, but no less triumphant.

This book was very adventurous and I liked the main characters because they are not very regular people. Regular people don't chop their hair off and go beg for money to buy things. I think it was one of the best books Mary Downing Hahn has written, and I've read it so much it looks like it's been caught in a tornado! Zara, grade 6

The Story:

12 year old Eliza Bates is in somewhat of a sticky situation that also happens to be between a rock and a hard place. Her father is somewhere in the Wild West, far from her Kansas residence. Her mother is dead. And she was left to the dubious 'charity' of her uncle and aunt. Abused by her cousins and treated as a slave, she decides to scamper into the night. Whilst doing this, she gets four additions to her life: a false gender, a new name (Elijah Bates), a dog and a poor excuse for a card-sharp, Calvin Featherbone. The dynamic duo and dog travel across the country so that Eliza can find her father and Calvin can kill the man who murdered his father. Eliza just hopes they aren't looking for the same man...

This was a greatly enjoyable read. Eliza was completely plucky and Calvin was fun as the Gentleman Outlaw. The plot was smooth and flowing. Very kid friendly and something I wouldn't hesitate to read with 5th grader.

This book is a really good book. Like all of Mary Downing Hahn's books, this book is unlike others. Eliza, a tomboy girl who lives with her aunt and uncle decides to go and try to find her papa. On her journy she meets Calvin. A boy that claims he's an outlaw. They go through many adventures and then in the end Eliza shows true courage and they also find a shocking surprise that awaits them at the end of their journey. I recemend this book to ages 9 and up.

This is a great book. I'm 12 and this a book for everyone to enjoy. the descriptions are great and not to long. There is not a single part where this story is boring. You feel like you are in the story and in the old west. This book is not an old fashioned book. You can realy picture the characters

This book really makes you feel like your in the Old West. It especially got me interested when I discovered the hero (or heroin) was a girl! This is a great story for readers or all ages!

This great book gives you an idea of what it'd be like living in the time of the Great Gold Rush. Eliza Yates, a mistreated girl, runs away with her dog, Caeser, and decedes its better to run as a boy. She disguises herself as one, christens herself Elijah Bates, Eli for short, and bumps into Calvin, who calls himself the Gentleman Outlaw. He is determined to kill the Tinville Shreiff, who's name happens to be Yates. Eliza is shocked, but keeps quiet about it. Together they encounter problems, and Calvin's street-smart intellect seems to worm them out. Eliza starts to distrust Calvin and gets angry at him when he gambles off 20 dollars! This story is one of humor, excitement, and fun. I suggest you read it!!!

This is a really great book. It kept me interested not only because of its great descriptions and exciting plot, but also because I live in Colorado. Mary Hahn is a fantastic author and a lot of thought was put into her book. It's a story everyone should know.

Eliza Yates lives with her mean relatives that whip her with a belt if she does one thing wrong. Finally Eliza gets fed up with being a slave for her aunt, uncle and three cousins so one night she takes the money that her mother gave her in the will (that her Aunt took) So Eliza runs off and dresses in boys overalls and cuts her hair along the way she finds Calvin Featherbone who also is heading to Colorodo then Eliza finds that Calvin and she are looking for the same man Eliza is looking for her father to love,and Calvin is looking for her father for revenge of his fathers death. A great book for all readers who love the old west and who just want to read!!!