Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo - Softcover

Susan L. Krueger

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1589851978 ISBN 13: 9781589851979

Publisher: Story Monsters Press (formerly Five Star Publications), 2023

Synopsis

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT? Indian attacks, outlaws, rattlesnakes, smallpox and blizzards are a few of the true-to-life dangers experienced by Addie Slaughter, daughter of the famous John Horton Slaughter, a Texas Ranger, famed Cochise County Sheriff and an early settler of the San Bernardino Valley in the late 1800s. In first-person narrative, author Susan Krueger, Ed.D., expertly speaks for Addie, who tells her adventurous, sometimes heartbreaking, story of traveling across the Wild West from Texas to Arizona to Oregon, and then eventually settling on the Slaughter Ranch near the Arizona-Mexico border. Along the way, Addie's mother dies; her family narrowly escapes a stagecoach robbery; her grandfather is rescued when their adobe ranch buildings collapse in a terrible earthquake; when pursuing a member of the Jack Taylor Gang, her father's earlobe is shot off; and Addie meets the powerful warrior, Geronimo. WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK UNIQUE? Based on actual stories told to Adeline Greene Parks by her mother, Addie Slaughter, and in-depth interviews with Arizona Culture Keeper Dr. Reba Wells Grandrud, the John H. Slaughter Ranch historian, Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo, succeeds in capturing the interest and imagination of young readers due to its youthful voice, colorful descriptions and exciting recount of actual events. Most of the book's photographs come from Slaughter family albums and the collection of Dr. Grandrud. As author Susan Krueger puts it, History is NOT boring, especially when it's retold by a child who actually lived it! Though entertaining for young readers, Addie Slaughter's historical significance is such that it was selected as an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project designated by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission as authorized by the Arizona Legislature. Visit www.azcentennial.gov for more info.

About this title

About the Author:

A teacher of children and adults for thirty-two years, Susan L. Krueger holds a doctorate degree from Northern Arizona University. Her first book, Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo, was recognized as an Arizona Centennial Project and received numerous other awards. A fantasy, Horrifa's Magic Makeover, was published the following year. She has served as a master docent at the Phoenix Art Museum since retirement in 2000. Other hobbies include gardening, quilting, traveling and genealogy.

Review:

Addie was the daughter of the John Slaughter who owned the old San Bernardino Spanish Land Grant straddling the Arizona-Mexican border. I visited the ranch a few years ago and it is a desert oasis to behold. Thousands of people visit the historic ranch and this book would certainly sell well in their gift shop. Susan's book is designed for fourth to seventh grades and is based on true stories told by Addie to her daughter. These stories are enhanced by Dr. Reba Grandrud, renowned research historian and someone I've known for more than 40 years. She was involved with the restoration of the historic ranch in the 1990s. I spend a lot of time during the school year as state historian visiting fourth grade classes and I always take the time to look at their library collection of books on Arizona. There are a limited number of good books on Arizona that are written through the eyes of someone their own age. Written with Addie in the first person, students learn what it was like to be a young girl as an eyewitness to the town of Tombstone and experiencing rattlesnakes, outlaws, earthquakes, smallpox and Indian attacks, including meeting the legendary Apache war chief, Geronimo. Addie certainly lived the life of a young dime-novel heroine. Susan's long years of experience as a reading specialist enables her to write at a proper reading level while Dr. Grandrud' s expertise assures historical accuracy. The two combined create a wonderful book that will certainly enhance the learning and appreciation of Arizona's rich history. I highly recommend this book... --Marshall Trimble, Official Arizona State Historian

I am pleased to recommend Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo. As a retired educator and former Director of Education for the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe, I recognize the value of this collaborative project for the children of Arizona. This "chapter" book, as called by students and teachers, is based on the exemplary research of Dr. Reba Wells Grandrud. The oral history of Addie Slaughter is told by Susan Krueger through the eyes of a child to children throughout Arizona now and in future generations. Children will become acquainted with Addie and learn of her real-life adventures as the daughter of John and Viola Slaughter living in Tombstone and on the Slaughter Ranch. Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo is an excellent opportunity for children to become inspired to tell and write their own life stories. Perhaps some of those experiences will be published for Arizona's Bicentennial. --Gwen Robinson Retired educator and former Director of Education for the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe, AZ

About this edition

• Publisher: Story Monsters Press (formerly Five Star Publications)
• Publication date: 2023
• ISBN 10: 1589851978
• ISBN 13: 9781589851979
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 80