Cowboy

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Lively pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork and colorful blurbs give an accurate portrayal of the difficult and harsh world of the 19th-century cowboy, proving false Hollywood's glorified portrait of life on the trail. The equipment, horses, and breeds of cattle are all vividly described. Accounts of trail drives and bunk-house living are given, along with a discussion of the cowhands' various duties. A condensed, but informative history filled with interesting detail.Julie Halverstadt, Douglas Public Library District, Castle Rock, CO

Karen Hutt

The American Pastfinder series focuses on specific groups in American history, including sodbusters, Pueblo Indians, and New England whalers. In "Cowboy", Klausmeier compares the myth and the reality of the men and women who drove millions of cattle from Texas through the northern plains in the years following the Civil War. Following a noteworthy introduction, each double-page spread considers one topic, such as branding, the chuck wagon, or the trail drive, with details about the risks and demands of daily life. Excerpts from letters and journals add authenticity, but the softly colored drawings aren't as forceful as photographs might have been. Even so, this is a solid addition that students can use for research or information. Songs, recipes, brief biographies of three "true-life" cowboys, and a glossary are appended.