From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6. Old-fashioned in tone and content, this is the story of young Will Burke, whose chance meeting with Geronimo leads to a lifelong friendship and, for a short while, a job at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, as part of Pawnee Bill's Historical Wild West Show. Although Wallace surely means to reveal the man behind the stereotype and debunk myths, this title only succeeds in reinforcing those stereotypes by portraying Geronimo as a caricature. The "model" Indian is brave, wise, capable of prophetic visions, etc., and speaks in the halting English of so many bad Westerns ("Geronimo kill many men. In battle, kill to stay alive. Many good fights."). The surrounding plots, of Will yearning for a special rifle and facing a bully at school, won't excite readers and fail to compensate for the book's major flaws.?Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Book Description
Will Burke is daydreaming about Nate's wonderful shotgun when he runs smack-dab into the fiercest brave of them all, Geronimo! Terrified, he lashes out against the mighty warrior, who's amused -- and impressed. This boy is braver than the army of soldiers who have just captured Geronimo after his fifteenth escape from the White man's reservation. It will not be his last.... Suddenly, Will has an unexpected friend. Geronimo saves his life in a deadly ice storm, then teaches him how to survive, and fight back against bullies like Nate. it isn't until Geronimo takes Will on an unforgettable Wild West adventure at the St. Louis World's Fair that he finally tells Will what he must do in return. It is the hardest thing Will has ever had to do....
