The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli (Avon Camelot Book) (Paperback)

by Mary Downing Hahn (Author) "I GOT THE IDEA TO RUN AWAY THE NIGHT Uncle Homer beat me for spilling a glass of milk..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Pearl, Gentleman Outlaw, Miss Nellie (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7?Eliza Yates is 12 years old in 1887 when she runs away from her cruel aunt and uncle and sets off for Tinville, Colorado, in search of her missing father. After being accosted by a tramp, she disguises herself as a boy, and it is "Elijah Bates" who meets up with Calvin Featherbone, an 18-year-old who calls himself the "Gentleman Outlaw." He is also headed for Tinville, in search of that town's Sheriff Yates, a man he believes shot his father in the back. The two join forces, though it is soon obvious both to Eliza and readers that Calvin is a greenhorn who will do nothing but get them into scrapes with his fool ideas. Hahn has obviously done her research, and succeeds in bringing the ambiance of the Old West to her novel. The result is a fast, funny, and entertaining adventure that's just the thing for fans of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."?Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline Public Library, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. The plot isn't new: orphan girl Eliza Yates cuts her hair, wears boys' clothes, changes her name to make people think she's a boy, and travels West to find her missing father. Along the way, she saves Calvin Featherbone, a young man who fancies himself a con artist. Together, they make their way to Tinville, Colorado, where, coincidentally, Calvin's father was killed by a certain Sheriff Yates. Calvin plans to avenge the murder, but he gets himself and Eliza in so much trouble with his amateurish schemes that the pair arrives in town ready to be hanged as horse thieves. Hahn's writing crackles like gunshot in the Ol' West, and Eliza and Calvin make a lovable team. The plotting is completely predictable, but it's tight and fast paced, and Hahn does a fine job of recreating the atmosphere of the days of cowboys and miners. Susan Dove Lempke --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (October 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380728834
• ISBN-13: 978-0380728831
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,806,526 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE OLD WEST WITH A GIRL HERO!, March 7, 1999

By	[e-mail] Lindsy Frank (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gentleman Outlaw and Me-Eli: A Story of the Old West (Turtleback)

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!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A good western story with a great girl heroine, July 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli (Hardcover)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gentelman Outlaw and Me-Eli: A Story the the Old West, November 7, 2001

By A Customer

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.