Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

I’m on tour today with Linda Aksomitis’s newest book, Longhorns and Outlaws, a great historical fiction western middle grade novel.

Recent immigrants from the Netherlands, Lucas is just getting used to living in a new country, when his parents and little sister die in the 1900 Galveston Hurricane and he’s left orphaned.  His older brother Gil, aged 16, comes home and sells off all of their possessions and takes Lucas to Montana to work on a cattle drive.  The only problem is that Lucas doesn’t know anything about cattle or horses.  In fact, he’s never even ridden a horse.  The cattle drive will take them through the last known location of their cousin Henry, whom Lucas hopes will take him in so he can go back to school.

Gil and Lucas are in constant conflict with each other.  Lucas loves books while Gil can’t see the use.  In comparison, Gil loves everything about cattle drives and Lucas learns that he has a lot to teach him.  Fueled by the books he reads, Lucas wants to be a Pinkerton Agents when he grows up, the detectives who trail and capture outlaws.  Lucas studies all the outlaw wanted posters on the cattle drive and soon finds himself in real danger when he runs into the Sundance Kid and his gang.  The only problem is that nobody believes him, including Gil.  When Lucas’s outfit finds all their horses stolen, including Eb the horse that he has come to love, he will take matters into his own hands and find his Cousin Henry’s whereabouts at the same time.

Longhorns and Outlaws has a lot to think about including emigration, life after a natural disaster, the wild west frontier, life on a cattle drive, outlaws, courage, and what it takes to be a hero.  I found myself getting into it a bit slowly, but once I was able to get going I became really engrossed in the story.  I think this book would have a lot of appeal for younger readers, including reluctant readers and boys.

You can find more information about the Outlaw Book series including a detailed teachers guide to use Longhorns and Outlaws in the classroom on the Cowboy’s and Outlaw’s website.  Also check out the other stops on Linda’s tour.  You can learn more about Linda Aksomitis on her personal website as well.  Linda is simply amazing.  Much of Longhorns and Outlaws is based on Linda’s personal experience as she’s worked with horses and cattle a lot (among all of her other interests!)  Want more?  I’ve got more!  Coming up next an interview with Linda herself.  Lot’s of fun information, watch for it coming right up.

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