Set in Northwest Wisconsin on Windy Hill farm in the early 1900's Kate O'connell and her mother just moved in with Papa Nordstrom her mothers new husband. Kate has three new brothers and sisters she needs to get to know. Just as she is getting to know Papa Nordstrom he needs to go to lumber camp to earn more money for the winter. After he leaves, the children have more responsibilities and Kate is worried about something going wrong. Papa said "All of you must be responsible, keep your head on your shoulders. Don't make momma worry take good care of her and each other."
After Kate's stepfather goes to lumber camp, a new boy came to Spirit Lake School. They called him stretch because he was known to stretch the truth. The teacher warned the children not to go on the ice because it was to thin, but after class stretch talked kate into going to the lake with him. When they got to the lake, Kate saw her brothers dog, Lutfisk. Kate called him but he wouldn't come. Kate stepped onto the ice, she could hear it cracking under her feet suddenly she plunged into the water. She yelled for help and someone told her to take off her coat and mittens. Then she tried to grab the ice but it kept breaking. She saw a stick above her and grabbed it and was pulled out. She expected to see Stretch but it was her friend Eric. After she was back in school she was furious at Stretch and thought to herself " Because of you I could have died!"
Throughout the book Kate learns the importance of telling the truth and taking responsibility of her actions. Everyone who wants to understand the importance of being independent should read this book.

A young cowboy describes the sights, sounds, and smells of a workday on the ranch. Apple's illustrations reflect the love and admiration between a father and a son with which Gardella amply fills the text. This book will especially delight children who treasure both a love of cowboys and a love for their fathers.

Although written in 1930, this paperback is still an entertaining book to read. The mystery plot of "who-done-it" gets a little far-fetched. The author, Max Brand, does an excellent job with the male competitive boxing mentality. The thought process of the main character, John Templar, with his growing intrigue in the female, Hong Kong, was well written also.

Holister Ranch is one of the most beautiful pieces of California coastline. Resting thirty miles south of Santa Barbara, California it is a rugged piece of the coast that gently divides the gorgeous Santa Barbara mountains from the Pacific ocean. "The Ranch" is widely reknowned as one of the premier surf spots in California, with its sandy beaches jutting out into perfectly formed point breaks. This exclusive community has carefully preserved the character of this amazing piece of California. Holister Ranch is one of the undiscovered jewels of the Californai coast, and is a shining example of what this side of the country has to offer.

I generally like the Saddle Club books. They're funny and good for light reading. Sometimes, you even feel like you could slap Veronica, the bratty little rich girl. But has anyone noticed that they sort of repeat themselves? In this book, Saddlebags, the three main characters, Stevie, Carol, and Lisa, go out to their friend Kate's dude ranch with their parents. Their parents are genuine dudes and embarrass the girls. Then there is a storm and the parents are caught on an island. And it's -- SADDLE CLUB TO THE RESCUE! I'm all for this kind of plot, but to me, it seems as if they save someone or something in every book, or at least get an award or help someone greatly. The plot kind of repeats itself. And whenever they have a birthday, they immediatly revert back to being the age they used to be in the next book. Even though I think the plot has been a little worn out, if you read this book on its own (and not with the 90 other Saddle Club books), I think you will find it enjoyable.

The reason I gave it three stars is because Double Cross Ranch was so boring. Scattergun grass, on the other hand was excellent. I wish they weren't in the same book.

We are great fans of Robert Laxalt's writing but this is definitely not one of his best. His description of rabies and its effects on animals and people is good and, we think, probably accurate, and the description of the area and of the Basque sheepherding culture at that time and in that area are excellent. But the details of the plot contain too many improbabilities and it's too bad because Laxalt could do better. Nevertheless, the book is worth reading.

Shanes mom dies so he was left with his father who becomes alcholic after his wife died.When she died Shane s grandfather dies too so Shane got to keep his grandfather property .Shane' dad decides to move there.Shane meets Casey.Josh tries to stop drinking .Shane got in a car accident.His dad runs away .Shane was left with Casey .

GREEN HAS A BIG COW COUNTRY FOLLOWING. IN OTHER BOOKS HE TELLS OF VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCES IN AUCTION HOUSES, BRUSHY PASTURES, AND SMALL TOWNS WITH FIRST MONDAY HORSE SALES. NOW WE FIND GREEN ALL GROWN UP AND WORKING IN WEST TEXAS AS A VET. WITH LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE DURING WORLD WAR II, HE ANALYSES NOXIOUS WEEDS, FINDS SPECIFICALLY TOXIC SUBSTANCES, AND COMPOUNDS CURES RIGHT THERE. THIS IS PROBABLY NOT POSSIBLE WITH TODAY'S RESOURCES, SO THE ACCOUNTS IN THIS BOOK DO NOT RING TRUE TO ME. I'VE WORKED CATTLE IN A BRUSHY COUNTRY AND I'VE DONE SOME ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND THE MORE I READ OF GREEN'S DOINGS, THE MORE SKEPTICAL I BECOME. I THINK GREEN MAY HAVE WORKED US TEXAS BOYS THE WAY CARLOS CASTENADA WORKED HIPPIES.

Unlike the anonymous reviewer who was disenchanted by 'Windflowers', I found the book fascinating and powerful.
The descriptions of the outback were as brilliant as I have come to expect from Tamara McKinley - the land is just as I remember it from my travels. The characters were sympathetically drawn and contained just the right balance of pathos, strengh and humour. I applaud the way the story is switched from one persons point of view to another as it asks the reader to get involved with them and share their thoughts. I could not put the book down and can quite understand why it was an immediate best seller in Germany.