Scrib [Library Binding]

David Ives (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

The night before his thirteenth birthday, Billy Christmas runs away from home in stodgy St. Louis and rides off to the Wild West, where he becomes Scrib, letter writer for lovelorn cowboys and wild-eyed outlaws.

Here is Scrib's own story, told in bubbling prose and babbling epistles, an ambling tale set in 1863, as Scrib travels his rounds on his horse Gabe, befriending all and running into deadly danger along the way.

This is probably the funniest, most outrageous cowboy story you will ever read. With the cleverness of Mark Twain at his best, the hilarity of a Mel Brooks movie, and the fast-moving speed of a train wreck, this is the Old West as it may not have been -- but should have!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 - Fans of the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the humor in Terry Prachett's The Wee Free Men (HarperCollins, 2003) will be "pertickly" pleased with Scrib. Its full and apt title sets the stage for this Western story. Teenager Billy Christmas (nicknamed Scrib because of his occupation as a letter-writer and deliverer) describes his hilarious adventures using "inventive grammer" and language that, although "crooshal," some folks might "take a fence at." Major characters include Gabe, Scrib's trustworthy best friend and horse; Crazy James Kincaid, a misunderstood outlaw who "once shot a man for telling a joke he did not find funny"; Romulus Vollmer, blissful proprietor of a shoddy ranch and faithfully devoted to a "full-uptuous woman"; Pierre, Scrib's wise Injun friend and customer; and Tazwell Turner, a black deliverer of letters who is mistaken for a runaway slave. The content (which includes drunkenness, a "hoor," war, and murder) and playful language come together in a novel whose pieces fit together nicely. So trust your "instink," young adult librarians, and add Scrib to your collections. - Jessi Platt, Auburn Public Library, AL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Scrib is a manuensis, a letter writer for illiterate westerners trying to maintain contact with loved ones, the government, or businesses back east. But when he begins to receive death threats regarding his literary profession, Scrib is forced to give up his livelihood. Finding another line of work is fraught with more peril--and humor--than Scrib expects. Finally, he solves the mystery of his pursuer and reinstalls himself as the region's letter writer once again. Scrib's adventures are told with a humor that's straight out of an old western. His bad luck borders on slapstick most of the time, and his creative spelling--"mazewell" (may as well), "melodraymas" (melodramas), "eyetinerant" (itinerant)--and exaggerated cowboy drawl add to the absurdity. An entertaining boy-pleaser, if not an edifying work of literature. Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060598425
• ISBN-13: 978-0060598426
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,291,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'ves a true likin' for Scrib, August 11, 2005

By 

Sully "cleopatterer" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scrib (Library Binding)

Scrib was my first summer read this year. What a glorioskey way to kick off fun in the sun. It's a wild west romp and as funny as a chimp being mistaken for a French spy.
But, hey, Amazon, this book is not for 9 to 12 year olds. My thinkin' is it's for older younguns.

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't pass this up!, July 4, 2011

By 

nelso171 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scrib (Hardcover)

I read David's other children's book, "Voss: How I come to America and am Hero, Mostly" and loved it, which lead me to Scrib. Again, David Ives delivered. This is a great Western tale that draws the reader in with the author's subtle yet commanding use of regional dialect. I don't know why more people haven't read this book, it's great. The Western accent used by the author isn't cheesy or over done, it's just kinda there. When you first start reading the book you won't notice it much, but by the end of the book you'll find the voice in head is completely western. For all that this book is supposed to be (e.g. a quick read, with humor embedded in quirky language) this book is great. Don't pass this up!

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, Clever, but Beware, June 22, 2005

By 

S. Yost "SAYHEY" (Bethel Park, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scrib (Library Binding)

Outstanding humor from a talented writer. Some of the scenes and images are laugh-out-loud funny. Parents, however, beware. Some words and topics are not suited for young readers. Curse words, topics of prostitution and drunkeness. All in all, Scrib is a great read for mature readers who enjoy young protagonists. Enjoy