Gunfight at the O.K. Corral [Paperback]

Gayle Martin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Luke and his sister Jenny aren't overly excited when they first learn of their mother's plan to take them to Tombstone, Arizona, as part of their vacation. That changes in a hurry when they are suddenly swept back to the 1880s and the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The ghost of the Grand Hotel's handyman, a kindly gentleman by the name of Swamper, guides them through the events of that fateful time. Young readers are right there with Luke and Jenny as they learn firsthand the story of the Earp brothers and what led to the historic shootout.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As a native Arizonan that has felt the "presence" of Tombstone's former residents I loved this book! It's unique twist makes a familiar saga accessible to a whole new generation." -- Steve Tyra AKA Gabby the old prospector

"I hope the charming and inquisitive Luke and Jenny have more stories to share with us. The way Gayle wove history, life lessons, family values, a sense of fairness, making peace, proper gun handling, laws of the land, and respecting authority amazed me. I see Luke and Jenny as a potential Nick or Disney television series. America's kids could use some fresh new stories, and I believe Gayle has a hit on her hands." -- Joyce Spizer, author of Only Make Believe

"In todays world too many of our young people have been deprived of real knowledge of the value of being a good person. The label on their sneakers and rebellion against authority take precedence. Gunfight at the OK Corral addresses ethics, morals, principles and concepts of what makes a human being good, in a most entertaining way. The book also deals with the noble qualities of forgiveness and kindness. These are the things that enrich ones soul and hence ones life. I applaud and admire this good work. The story made me think about who I am and who I want to be." -- Alex Cord, Award-Winning Movie & Television Star and Author

"As a native Arizonan that has felt the "presence" of Tombstone's former residents I loved this book! It's unique twist makes a familiar saga accessible to a whole new generation." -- Steve Tyra AKA Gabby the old prospector

"I hope the charming and inquisitive Luke and Jenny have more stories to share with us. The way Gayle wove history, life lessons, family values, a sense of fairness, making peace, proper gun handling, laws of the land, and respecting authority amazed me. I see Luke and Jenny as a potential Nick or Disney television series. America's kids could use some fresh new stories, and I believe Gayle has a hit on her hands." -- Joyce Spizer, author of Only Make Believe

"In todays world too many of our young people have been deprived of real knowledge of the value of being a good person. The label on their sneakers and rebellion against authority take precedence. Gunfight at the OK Corral addresses ethics, morals, principles and concepts of what makes a human being good, in a most entertaining way. The book also deals with the noble qualities of forgiveness and kindness. These are the things that enrich ones soul and hence ones life. I applaud and admire this good work. The story made me think about who I am and who I want to be." --Alex Cord, Award-Winning Movie & Television Star and Author

From the Publisher

The Luke and Jenny series of historical adventures bring the past vividly alive, making it exciting and real for young readers. In Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, youngsters are immediately drawn into the rugged times of the old west of the 1880s. They are right there with Luke and Jenny as they're whisked back in time allowing them to witness firsthand the events leading up to that historic showdown in the streets of Tombstone, Arizona. Along the way, Luke and Jenny learn valuable lessons that apply to their own lives. Will they have a fascinating story to tell their dad when he comes home from Iraq!

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is an exciting journey that tells the facts of the famous confrontation when Virgil, Morgan, and Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday got in a shoot-out with the Clantons and the McLaurys on October 26, 1881

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Five Star Publications; 2nd edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589850505
• ISBN-13: 978-1589850507
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #979,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gayle Martin started her career as a graphic designer. She began writing in 2005 when she self-published her first book, "Anna's Kitchen: a Compilation of WWII Ration Recipes That You Can Create in Your Kitchen Today." This was followed in 2006 by "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: Luke and Jenny Visit Tombstone," the first book in her Luke and Jenny series of historical novels for young readers. "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" was an honorable mention at the 2007 Hollywood Book Festival and was followed by "Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War: a Luke and Jenny Adventure," a finalist in the 2007 Indie Book Awards of Excellence. The third book in the Luke and Jenny series, "Riding with the James Gang: a Luke and Jenny Adventure," was released in January, 2010. Gayle is currently working on the fourth installment of the Luke and Jenny series, "The Mystery of the Lost Dutchman Mine: a Luke and Jenny Adventure," as well as an updated version of her WWII era cookbook. Gayle currently resides in Tucson, Arizona, and in her spare times she enjoys quilt making and cake decorating.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luke and Jenny Visit Tombstone, November 25, 2009

By 

Sandra Heptinstall "Reviewer" (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: Luke and Jenny Visit Tombstone (Paperback)

"Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" By Gayle Martin, would make a great gift, or add it to your own collection of books. Ms.Martin goes into great detail to ensure that she has all the facts right in this book. It's appeal is to all ages.

The book begins with Luke and Jenny, a brother and sister who are on vacation with their mom and headed to their grandparents' house in Dallas,Texas. Along the way, their mom decides to stop and have lunch in Tombstone, Arizona.

While they are there, Luke and Jenny meet a ghost named The Swamper. He takes them on a trip back in time to the days leading up to the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. They see Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Doc Holiday, and the Clantons. The Swamper teaches them many different lessons as they travel through time. They even get to witness the actual gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

This book is interesting and unique and would make a great addition to school library's across out country. It is a book to be shared by all. Kids that read this book won't even recognize that they are being taught morals and life lessons through Luke and Jenny's travels. It makes learning fun. I have really enjoyed this book, and even though it is a work of fiction, it is backed by historical facts. You can buy this book at "Five Star Publishing" or on Amazon.

Sandra Heptinstall
Whispering Winds Book Review

5.0 out of 5 stars well researched and eminently readable historical fiction, March 16, 2010

By 

Wayne S. Walker "Home School Book Review" (Salem, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (Paperback)

Do you think that it would be fun to go back in time and witness interesting events, like the famous gunfight at the O. K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ? Eight-year-old Luke Bartlett and his older sister Jenny were going to visit Disneyland for vacation, but their father was called with his Army Reserve Unit to serve in Iraq, so their mother is taking them to see their grandparents at Dallas, TX, instead. The kids are bored, but when they stop in Tombstone, AZ, something strange happens. While sitting on a bench as their mother shopped, they meet the Swamper, a handyman who lived downstairs in the Grand Hotel back in the 1880s--or rather his ghost.
Luke and Jenny also become "spirit people" (Swamper says, "Actually, I prefer to think of myself as a spirit person. It has a nicer ring to it, don't you think? The word `ghost' sounds too much like Halloween.") The Swamper takes them back to the streets of old Tombstone during the days of Virgil, Morgan, and Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy Gang of outlaws led by Ike Clanton and Frank McClaury. Beginning on Oct. 28, 1880, when Marshall Fred White was shot, most conclude accidentally, by Curly Bill Brocius, they follow the simmering feud between the two groups that led up to the Oct. 26, 1881, shoot out in which Tom and Frank McClaury and Billy Clanton were killed, and then the aftermath as both sides began to assassinate key members of the opposing factions.
Author Gayle Martin not only tells the story from an eyewitness viewpoint as accurately as possible, noting that there are a lot of facts about many of the events which are simply not known for sure, but also asks questions that deal with the ethical principles underlying what happened. When I was young, the television show Wyatt Earp starring Hugh O'Brien was very popular. While it should never be our desire to tarnish the names of good men unnecessarily, we do need to remember that there were situations where people who generally stood for the right did have faults and make mistakes, so that not every one of their choices is commendable. We can learn from that as well. Gunfight at the O. K. Corral received honorable mention at the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival. It is extremely well researched and written in an exciting and eminently readable style. There is a guide for parents and teachers at the end.

5.0 out of 5 stars Praise for Gayle Martin, December 2, 2007

By 

James Saylor "Entertainer/Magician" (Prescott Valley, AZ. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: Luke and Jenny Visit Tombstone (Paperback)

Gayle Martin's book "Gunfight At The O.K. Corral: Luke and Jenny Visit Tombstone" is a wonderfully written and informative account of the feud between Wyatt Earp, his brothers, Doc Holiday, and the Clantons.
A fictional tale about real life events it is the story of Luke and Jenny, a brother and sister who, while on vacation, are transported back to 1880's Tombstone and witness the events leading up to the famous gunfight.
While written for young readers adults will also enjoy reading this action filled slice of old west American history. Packed full of little known facts this is a book that will be read over and over by the entire family.
As an author and storyteller Gayle Martin is on a level equal to Carolyn Keene, R.L. Stine, and J.K. Rowling.