Piper's Ferry: 2 - Hardcover

Wisler, G. Clifton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525673032 ISBN 13: 9780525673033

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 1990

Synopsis

A fourteen-year-old ferry worker joins the army to fight for Texas's independence.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Tim, 6 years old when the story begins and 15 in 1836 when Texas wins its independence from Mexico, tells his story as if he were spending extended time with a new friend and acquainting that friend with his life. Through skillful use of dialogue and narration, Wisler recounts Tim's experiences as he tries to go to sea with his stepfather, but becomes so deathly seasick that he must look for other apprenticeship opportunities. Finally, he is sent from New Orleans to a relative's family in Texas where he works on their ferry and in their inn. There he gets caught up in Texas politics and feels he must go to war in order to help Texas gain its freedom from Mexico. Wisler subtly blends the life of a boy (friends, family, fears, and adventures) with authentic information about everyday life during that period in the West. Readers learn, without realizing it, about hygiene, traveling conditions, the apprenticeship system, politics of that time and place, and the Texas Revolution. War is shown to be a magnet for young men who are looking for excitement and to show how mature they are; conversely, it is shown, through Tim's eyes as he watches men die as much from disease as from actual battles, to be less alluring when one is actually involved in it. This is a compelling, exciting book that students will enjoy both for its story and for its historical insight. --Janet E. Gelfand, Lawrence Junior High School, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0525673032
• ISBN 13: 9780525673033
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 14