Walking Up a Rainbow [Hardcover]

Theodore Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

Orphaned at fourteen, Susan Carlisle is suddenly the owner of her parents' beautiful Iowa home, two thousand sheep . . . and a huge debt that puts her at the mercy of a scoundrel determined to take it all the away. With barely a moment of hesitation, Susan heads for California to sell the sheep, and pay the debt. Along the way she bravely faces the hardships and excitement of the western trail, and boldly ropes an American cowboy into her scheme . . . and into her heart.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The year is 1851. Susan Carlisle, a feisty 14-year-old who has recently been orphaned, would be well off if it weren't for G. B. Minzter. He has sued to take all she hashouse and moneyto cover a debt her late father incurred. Susan has one year to pay off the $15,000 she owes. She decides to sell her only possession4000 sheepto raise the money. In order to do so she faces a walk from Iowa to California, where hungry gold miners will pay high prices for the sheep. She lies, coaxes and finally persuades a drover to undertake the cross-country sheep-walk. The tale of their journey is colorful and exciting; details of Gold Rush America are accurate, and the frontier idiom is used consistently throughout. One jarring note is the lengthy section where Clay Carmer, the young drover Susan has set her sights on, takes over the narrationan obvious device to distance the reader from the trauma of an attempted rape that occurs here. But in general, the book's lighthearted, gun-toting tone is sustained at the cost of real character development.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 The story of 14-year-old orphan Susan D. Carlisle and her attempt to foil a villain who has placed a lien on her entire inheritance for a debt of her father's. Susan and her guardian, Indian Myrt Dessery, hire drover Burt Pettit and his absurd crew to drive a herd of sheep that are in her name to California to feed the Forty-Niners. A French-speaking black Moroccan and the "original cowboy" Clay B. Carmer, Susan's hero, are the most notable characters. After getting enough moneypartly from the sale of the sheep and partly from gamblingSusan heads home but not in time to meet her deadline. She eventually receives a sort of "love" letter from Clay and heads for New Mexico and perhaps marriage. Walking Up a Rainbow is almost exciting and funny, but it falls short. The characters don't quite come alive; the humor isn't quite light enough; the adventures are too serious for the plot (Susan is almost raped at Independence Rock). Susan narrates parts One and Three, and Carmer narrates the middle section, a technique that is somewhat confusing. Also, the story's mood lapses occasionally with explanations "For those of you not familiar with history. . . ." In the book's favor are its realistic descriptions of life on a sheep drive and especially the trip by sea from California down to Panama, overland to the Gulf and home via the Mississippi. Enjoyable despite its flaws. Dorcas Hand, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385294352
• ISBN-13: 978-0385294355
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,352,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Theodore Taylor has written several award-winning books. The Cay won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award and was also made into a movie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An nonstop thrill that takes you back to the old western day, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Walking Up a Rainbow (Avon Flare Book) (Paperback)

I think that Walking Up a Rainbow is a very good book.It was an excellent story of a young girl as she faces the dangers and wonders of the western trail.It has a lot of excitment in it and the charaters are fantastic!You have not afraid of anything,won't be stopped by anyone,this is my home I'm going to defend it Susan and the outgoing yet careful,out for new ideas Mrs.Dessery.While all of the action is happening you also have a love story in the makings.The brillant Clay who saves the day more than once.I just think that it is a great book and I strongly suggest you take time and read it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reader from Northwest USA, July 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Walking Up a Rainbow (Avon Flare Book) (Paperback)

"Walking Up A Rainbow" is one of my favorite books--I read it a day within checking it out of the library. I bought it a month later, and it sits by my bed with all my other favorite books. I know it is meant for 13-15 year old readers, but I'm 17 and loved it, and my mother also loved it. Susan is a great heroine and the ending is wonderful...I encourage everyone to buy this book if they see it. After reading it I'm sure you'll want to go on a cross-country adventure, too! Great historical facts, also.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great story of a young girl trying to save her home!, August 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Walking Up a Rainbow (Avon Flare Book) (Paperback)

Susan a young girl who's parents have died in a buggie accident struggled to get money from selling her sheep in california to pay back the debt on her house and the land.