Dreams always have a price
Will can see his future stretch out before him. It's as clear as the plains that lead to La Junta and the first-pl... read full description
reviews
Feb 18, 2009
Colleen
rated it: 
My family and I listened to this one on audio tape - each time we got into the car Ashton would request it be turned on. It is about twin brothers, Will and Dennie. They are together since birth, and both act as teachers for one another. Dennie - has downs syndrom, I think, and he teaches Will patience and love. When Will is 16 he decides it is time to show his Father and everyone else that he is a man and not a boy, by competing and winning at the rodeo a couple of days journey from their f
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Apr 06, 2010
20 Word summery; This book is about twins Will and Denny, Will has big dreams of ranching but Denny's problems hold him back.
Passage; In the dream, it was me and Denny out riding. When we reined in we were far out on the prairie. It was late in the day and the weather had settled in so I couln't even see the mesa. No rock ourcroppings. No junipers, no pinon pine. There was only Denny and me. I turned to remind Denny to keep the reins loose when he jumped down so he would not tug on S More...
Passage; In the dream, it was me and Denny out riding. When we reined in we were far out on the prairie. It was late in the day and the weather had settled in so I couln't even see the mesa. No rock ourcroppings. No junipers, no pinon pine. There was only Denny and me. I turned to remind Denny to keep the reins loose when he jumped down so he would not tug on S More...
Apr 06, 2010
Rjbailitz
rated it: 
Ron Bailitz 4/6/10 Period 8
Title: A Small White Scar
Author: K. A. Nuzum
Pages: 180
This book is about Will, who leaves his home to become a professional cowboy, but is followed by his brother.
Passage
Page 169-170
Paragragh 7-11
"You're brothers. You're twin brothers. The same blood runs through your veins. I believed you would love Denny in a way no one else would. I believed you would walk alongside of him, protect him, teach him. More...
Title: A Small White Scar
Author: K. A. Nuzum
Pages: 180
This book is about Will, who leaves his home to become a professional cowboy, but is followed by his brother.
Passage
Page 169-170
Paragragh 7-11
"You're brothers. You're twin brothers. The same blood runs through your veins. I believed you would love Denny in a way no one else would. I believed you would walk alongside of him, protect him, teach him. More...
2 comments
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May 30, 2009
Barky
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 29, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
4.5 stars. YA. Will is 15-years-old, nearly 16. His cowboy skills are excellent. He is ready to be a man. But if he stays at the ranch he can't. His father has him constantly play "nursemaid" for his twin brother Denny who has Down's Syndrome. The big rodeo, for which Will has spent a year saving money for, is coming up very soon and Will is hoping not only to win every event and the Overall Prize purse but to use the rodeo as the opportunity to escape the ranch and Denny and, f
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Nov 03, 2010
the main charter was denny he was a go for it all put everything on the line and go for it kind of guy he would sneek out and go to roderos with his little brother one of the main problems was his dad his dad wouldnt let him do the rodeos any more and he took his little brother and his little brother and him had to crose a river and his little brother almost didnt make it and almost died but his big brother was there to save him and denny was so pissed that he beat the crap out of hima dn when h
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Jul 02, 2009
Donna
rated it: 
Short tale of teenage twin brothers who have grown up on a ranch together in Colorado. Will has practically raised Denny, who has Downs Syndrome, and now he's ready to strike out on his own to make a living as a cowboy. He heads off on a five-day trip to the rodeo, and Denny follows. They encounter a rattlesnake, rough terrain, and flash flood along the way. There are inaccuracies in some of the details (for instance: rattlesnakes strike with only half their body length, NOT the full length)
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May 08, 2009
Additeenlibrarian
rated it:
Historical, young adult fiction. Will wants to get off of his father's ranch in Colorado and strike out to become a man in his own right. The path starts with the rodeo in La Junta -- he can win some money and find another ranch to hire him on as a skilled hand. He's tired of his father expecting him to play nursemaid to his twin brother and not trusting him to help make decisions around the ranch. But what kind of a man has to sneak off in the middle of the night and abandon his twin who counts
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Dec 09, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
Nuzums book A Small White Scar was an adventerous book. This book was about two boys and their responsibilities that their dad held them responsible for on the ranch. The boys were twins and one had Down Syndrome, the other was held accountable for taking care of him. Will is torn between caring for his brother and seeking his dream. THis book would appeal to any western boy, or someone out looking for an adverure story. I liked this book it meant a lot to me because I could relate to having a f
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Jul 03, 2009
Heather
rated it:
From the look of the cover, you think this book would be boring. But it was a pretty good book. It is a brother/brother story. Will and Denny are twin brothers in the early 1900s. Denny must have a mental illness and it is Will's job to take care of Denny. Will has decided that he is going to join the rodeo and earn some money against his fathers wishes. So Will leaves and guess who follows him? Denny. Their adventure begins there.
I think 5th grade and up will enjoy this book More...
I think 5th grade and up will enjoy this book More...
Jan 02, 2010
Abby
rated it:
Ever since Will's mom died, Will's been the one to look out for his feeble-minded twin brother Denny, but at fifteen Will has had enough. He's leaving his dad's ranch. He's leaving Denny behind. He's going to La Junta by himself and he's going to win first place at the rodeo and get a job with another ranch. He's going to start his own life. Finally. But when Will leaves for the rodeo, Denny tags along. And Denny gets in trouble. And Will has to save him. Again. How can Will hope to have his own
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Jul 21, 2009
Jackie
rated it:
A Small White Scar starts off slow with much teenage whining, bitterness, selfishness, and typical 15-year-old self-pity. As Will sets off to find his future at the rodeo, he leaves his twin brother, Denny far behind. Will felt the drag of Denny's condition, Down Syndrome, for more years than he cares to think about. Now his mother is dead and Will's father expects Will to be nursemaid and caregiver for Denny. But Will has dreams of becoming a man, earning a living, and living his days on a ranc
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Jun 23, 2009
Trina
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This was a random, grab off the shelf book which usually leads to disappointment for me, but this was a surprisingly good read. It's a story about a young man who has a handicapped twin. It's more about the young man's journey to learn what means to be a man set amidst a dusty, working ranch and a high-action rodeo. I enjoyed the different way of life depicted as well as the poignant message. I actually listened to this as an audio book and it was quite well-performed.
Feb 27, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Small White Scar was pretty slow for me at the beginning--I've never been into cowboys or anything having to do with life on a ranch. However, about halfway through the book I realized that it had really grown on me. This book brings up real issues that some kids have to deal with, and asks questions about the difference between doing "the right thing" and following your heart. A good book for discussions with kids.
Mar 21, 2009
Christina
rated it:
Do kids today really like cowboys and rodeos? I guess we'll see with this book. I found the storyline predictable, including the "twist" ending. I liked the realistic depiction of the stress that a child with Down's Syndrome may put on the other siblings in a family, but I didn't care for the rest. All in all, I'm not sure why this book got the Caudill nomination.
May 21, 2009
RachelAnne
rated it:
The year is 1940. Since 15 year-old Will's mother died before his eyes seven years ago, he's been teacher, nursemaid and constant companion to his twin brother, who has Down's Syndrome. Despite his impressive skills, Will's convinced his father will never let him do "a man's work" or anything other than babysit his brother, unless Will forces the issue by signing on to work someone else's ranch after winning big at the rodeo. Forbidden to enter the rodeo when drought forces the fath
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May 20, 2010
Rory
rated it:
More like 2.5 stars, which is what I want to give most of the children's fiction I've been reading lately (to catch up a bit, since I'm now ordering for that collection). It's just...nothing impressive but nothing offensive. I'd have a hard time recommending it to a kid unless they were particularly interested in this topic/type of story.
Jul 25, 2009
I loved this book, It was about two boys who were brothers, one of the brothers was in charge of the other. Unfortunately the older brother is mentally challenged so the younger brother is in charge of the older brother. Life is a hard adventure for both of them. To find out more.... read the book.
Jun 09, 2009
JT
rated it:
A Small White Scar was a rather simplistic story. The story was predictable. The plot was quite shallow. It was ok, but I have read better books. Historical fiction set in the old west is not my favorite style of writing. It was ok, but I enjoy books with more modern settings and a deeper plots.
Jun 13, 2009
H
rated it:
Though well-written and mercifully short, this book is fairly ordinary in its story and plot. It is a Paulsen-like story that adds a handicapped brother into the mix. At least it moves along at a fast clip and is mercifully short. Kids who like Paulsen may be attracted to the book, though the "adventure" in the book may fail to live up to what they are looking for.
Jul 15, 2009
Georgeann
rated it:
Two teenage cowboy brothers - one is mentally handicapped; the other, who has been caretaker, wants his "own life" as a rodeo cowboy. Short read; good take on story of leaving home, growing up, family responsibility, following dreams, etc. Good resolution at end, unpredictable. Dead mother.
Jun 30, 2009
MrsB
rated it:
2010 list-Short book about fifteen year old boys in 1940. One wants to be a rodeo cowboy but he is responsible for his twin brother with Down's syndrome. It was a good look at how challenging family can be. No girls in the story at all--a boy coming-of-age story.
Aug 01, 2009
Christine
rated it:
15 year-old Will has always looked after his twin brother, Denny, who has Down syndrome. Denny has been his responsibility since their mother passed away. Will feels the weight of this responsibility as he tried to find a way to compete in the rodeo.
Sep 12, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
good read for 4th grade and up. A boy growing up on a ranch with his father and special needs brother has been the main care taker of his brother ever since his mother died. When he begins to feel the desire to stretch his wings and escape from the demands of taking care of his brother, he sets off to compete in the rodeo as a way out.
May 05, 2009
Tracy
rated it:
Good story. I am wondering what has prompted the run of books about brothers/sisters with disabilities. I would put in same category as Rules, and Al Capone Does My Shirts.
May 26, 2009
Terrol
rated it:
Hardly needs to approached as juvenile fiction--works very well for adults. The execution of the story is excellent, the writing is wonderful, Nuzum is unafraid of the charged emotions of Will, the main character, and of the at times disturbing behavior to which those emotions carry him. Highly recommended.
Aug 27, 2009
Cody
rated it:
it was really good i love it because im interested in rodeo and it encouroged me to do a better job and work more at rodeo
Oct 09, 2011
Susan
rated it:
I have to admit that I almost stopped reading this after a few pages, but decided to press forward. I'm glad I did. I suppose our life's experiences color the books we read. Because I have special needs kids I looked at this from a different angle than many would. This is the story of twin brothers, one of whom has (I assume) Down's Syndrome. Will wants to escape the ranch and along with it the responsibility of caring for Denny. As he runs away, with dreams of glory, he can't escape Denny
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Feb 08, 2009
Jackie
rated it:
Will learns how to deal with life, his goals, and his twin brother, Denny, who has Down Syndrome.
