Yeeeeeee-haw! Git along, little . . . turkeys?
Big, brawny Simon Green, who's just completed third grade (for the fourth time), may... read full description
Big, brawny Simon Green, who's just completed third grade (for the fourth time), may... read full description
reviews
Dec 29, 2009
Nicola
rated it: 
Reason for Reading: Read aloud to the 9yo to go along with our history studies.
Summary: Set in 1860, the book starts with 15-year-old Simon Green being politely graduated from school and told to go find his place in the world. Simon is quite taken aback, as he has just finished third grade for the fourth time and he'd figured on being in school quite some time to get the rest of the grades completed. Simple-minded Simon comes upon a plan to walk a flock of a thousand turkeys from his More...
Summary: Set in 1860, the book starts with 15-year-old Simon Green being politely graduated from school and told to go find his place in the world. Simon is quite taken aback, as he has just finished third grade for the fourth time and he'd figured on being in school quite some time to get the rest of the grades completed. Simple-minded Simon comes upon a plan to walk a flock of a thousand turkeys from his More...
Nov 16, 2010
Chris
rated it:
In 1860 after completing 3rd grade for the 4th time, 15 year old Simon decides it's time to venture out into the world and seek his fortune. His "bird brained" idea is to walk 1,000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver where meat is scarce and sell the turkeys at a big profit. So begins the turkey walk. Along the way, Simon and his washed up mule driver Mr. Peece, are joined by a runaway slave and a newly orphaned homesteader girl. Together they face turkey rustlers, eloquent Indians, h
More...
Oct 26, 2011
Danica
rated it: 
This was hilarious! Excellent as an audiobook.
After completing the third grade for the fourth time, fifteen year old Simon Green is summarily graduated by his teacher. “Go out in the world and spread your wings, Simon,” she says. She is sorry to see him go, Simon has always been her kindest and most helpful student. (After all, he single-handedly cuts all the firewood in the winter.) Once Simon finds that Missouri turkeys sell for twenty times the local price in the hungry boom town of More...
After completing the third grade for the fourth time, fifteen year old Simon Green is summarily graduated by his teacher. “Go out in the world and spread your wings, Simon,” she says. She is sorry to see him go, Simon has always been her kindest and most helpful student. (After all, he single-handedly cuts all the firewood in the winter.) Once Simon finds that Missouri turkeys sell for twenty times the local price in the hungry boom town of More...
Dec 12, 2008
Dan
rated it:
A fun filled story, written to draw the reader in and keep you wondering what is going to face the unlikely group of travelers. I and my son truely loved it.
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Oct 23, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
grew up in a post World War II suburb. It was built over the course of twenty years (give or take). My house was finished in the mid 1960s and my grandmother's house was finished the year I was born. If I wanted to see nature I had to either hike into the canyons that separated the different neighborhoods or I had to go the beach or the mountains. Nature wasn't something that showed up in our backyards except for the odd rattle snake, opossum or skunk.
Where I live now, I'm in an area More...
Where I live now, I'm in an area More...
Oct 29, 2008
Barbara
rated it:
This adventure is set in the world of 1860. Fifteen-year-old Simon, who has been living with his aunt and uncle, has just completed third grade for the fourth time. His teacher, Miss Rogers, tells him it's time to make his way in the world, and she helps him to do so. The plan is that he's to buy one
thousand turkeys and herd them from Missouri to Denver, where meat is scarce and people will pay a high price for them. Miss Rogers loans him the money, to be paid back after the turkeys are so More...
thousand turkeys and herd them from Missouri to Denver, where meat is scarce and people will pay a high price for them. Miss Rogers loans him the money, to be paid back after the turkeys are so More...
May 22, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
This is the story Simon Green, an unsuccessful student living in 19th century Missouri. When Simon learns that the price of turkey meat is outrageously high in Colorado, he hatches a plan that everyone else thinks is crazy: buy a herd of turkeys at low Missouri prices and walk them to Colorado to sell for incredible profits. The Great Turkey Walk is born.
I really like this book! It is funny and unexpected. It addresses both slavery and settlement of the West without beating you o More...
I really like this book! It is funny and unexpected. It addresses both slavery and settlement of the West without beating you o More...
Aug 09, 2011
Betsy
rated it: 
Hilarious. I could read this over and over (hence the 5-stars). If you need a good read full of engaging characters, a little known slice of history (did you know that people really did walk turkeys and other livestock from one state to another to make money?), and a wild adventure, then this book is for you. One the whole family can listen to, but the reading level is probably mid-upper elementary.
Apr 12, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
A quick read--funny and interesting (it's based on a turkey walk that actually took place, although with far fewer turkeys). Simon, the main character, is not very bright, school-wise, but he has a decent amount of common sense. And he gets along well with turkeys, which is how he ends up walking 1000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver.
Sep 17, 2011
Abby
rated it:
"The Great Turkey Walk" tells the story of Simon Green, a fifteen year old third grade graduate. When his teacher Miss Rogers tells him it's time for him to make his way in the world, he hatches a hair brained scheme to drive one hundred turkeys to Denver, where meat is scarce and valuable. Along the way he meets new friends, comes across thieves, and even meets his long lost father.
I loved this book when I was younger and it still is one of my favorites. It's cute, funny, a More...
I loved this book when I was younger and it still is one of my favorites. It's cute, funny, a More...
Jan 02, 2010
Jonathan
rated it:
Kathleen Karr writes a delightful, though not necessarily great, historical novel. The story of Simon Green’s get-rich-quick plan, a trek with 1,000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver in 1860 is well worth reading. I recommend this book to young people and to grown-ups who like reading youth fiction.
Feb 23, 2009
Molly
rated it:
This is the book I always enjoy taking boys who are looking for a great Historical Fiction. It is funny and moves fast. I love that I can start a book talk with a story of a kid who has failed his grade so many times he just needs to get on with life....So he heards turkeys. Grade 4+
Aug 18, 2010
Eric
rated it:
Problematic, in that, a myriad of dilemmas, quandaries, and obstacles transpire, many of which, by the end of the book, are greatly unresolved. Thereby, forcing each individual reader to draw their own conclusions, as to the outcome, and in doing so, leaves the ending doubtful and ultimately open to debate.
Aug 21, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
Funny! I like seeing from other reviews that kids genuinely like this book. Kids, if you're still not too old to read children's books, try "The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" by Rodman Philbrick and "Call Me Mr. Tucket" by Gary Paulsen.
Jan 08, 2011
Chase
rated it:
Someone gave me this book because they had read the first few pages and thought it was horrible. The first pages do make it sound like a boring book, but once you get into it you can't wait to find out what happens next. Great Read!
Dec 19, 2011
Kara
rated it:
I loved this book and I loved the story... except the love scene between the two young characters. It didn't feel sweetly innocent to me like I think it was supposed to feel. I think that could have easily been left out.
Mar 24, 2009
Amy
rated it: 
This was juve. fiction, based on a real story about how turkeys were herded to Colorado during the days of the American Old West. I bet turkeys were harder to herd than cows. I wanted this one to be over yesterday.
Feb 27, 2009
Emily
rated it:
What a fun book! We read this at Thanksgiving and had no idea what a GREAT book it would be! But we were glad that our kids cannot read, as there was a bit of editing that we had to do (swearing is what I remember).
Mar 12, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This was a read-aloud to the boys and we all really enjoyed it. Nice semi-tall-tale based loosely based on actual historical events. It's great to read-aloud because it's full of dialog and dialect. Very humorous.
Oct 30, 2011
Kenyan
rated it:
my mom picked this up somewhere, and I never thought I would read it, let alone enjoy it. to my surprise
I really enjoyed it! it was easy to read with a slightly odd story.
I really enjoyed it! it was easy to read with a slightly odd story.
Oct 20, 2010
Lahni
rated it:
I was surprised how fun this book was to read. I didn't expect much from it when my neighbor's daughter recommended it. I enjoyed it and want to read it aloud to my kids.
Feb 18, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
Darling story based on actual events. Who knew turkeys could be herded in massive groups across the country? Endearing characters and humor throughout. A fun read-aloud.
Oct 30, 2009
Julie
rated it:
Just in time for Thanksgiving! A great classic J fiction about the most unlikely successful turkey shepherd and his faithful friends crossing the plains to the convergence of the South Platt and Cherry Creek.
Jun 06, 2010
Cherri
rated it:
Fun, kids book. I read it because my Mom told me she used to have to "herd" turkeys into town when she was a kid.
Dec 31, 2009
Jonette
rated it:
I read this aloud to my kids on a 15-hour trip to Utah. Especially interesting to boys. Loved the characters
Jan 27, 2012
Laura
rated it:
The voice of the narrator was great. Unfortunately, his way of speaking rubbed off on me to such an extent that I found myself using terrible grammar after reading it aloud to my children. Great story.
Jan 15, 2010
Lindi
rated it:
A terrific book filled with humor and adventure, perfect for 10-year-old boys!
May 03, 2011
Linda
rated it:
This is a wonderfully done audio-book. It fun and wholesome. It is perfect for a family trip.
