Avi is the highly respected author of the Scott O Dell Award winning The Fighting Ground and the Newbery Honor Books The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing but the Truth. A former resident of Providence, Rhode Island, Avi now lives in Boulder, Colorado.
James Watling has illustrated many children s books with historical themes including The First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward. He lives near Montreal, Canada.
Grade 5-8-In this sequel to The Devil's Highway (Peachtree, 1998), Zeb, 14, encounters horse thieves and other outlaws as he travels the dangerous Natchez Trace in 1811 in search of his grandfather. Unfortunately, the adventure falls flat despite the presence of strong-willed, conscientious Zeb. The story's shortcomings lie in its inability to maintain a heightened sense of excitement due to one-dimensional supporting characters who appear haphazardly throughout and unclear motivations. Applegate does provide some historical facts about events in the book in an author's note and weaves a well-written, accurate depiction of Indian life in the early 1800s into the narrative. Though the ending is rushed and the escape of the horse thieves predictable, the various plot lines do come together. Fans of the first book will come away satisfied.
Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
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