Eleven-year-old Sallie March is a whip-smart tomboy and voracious reader of Western adventure novels. When she and her sister Maude escape their... read full description
reviews
Mar 13, 2009
Barky
rated it: 
Maude and Sallie March have the great misfortune of seeing their Aunt Ruthie get gunned down outside of the mercantile. This makes them orphans a second time over, and although the Reverend Peasley takes them in, it’s hardly an ideal situation. The Reverend’s wife is like to work the girls to the bone looking after her large family, and the Peasleys – having stripped Aunt Ruthie’s house of everything useful - are especially keen on marrying Maude off to some unpleasant bachelor or another. Ma
More...
Apr 02, 2009
Adrienne
rated it: 
Growing up, I really enjoyed the works of the Fleischmans, particularly By the Great Horn Spoon! and Humbug Mountain. Couloumbis has tapped into that same slightly goofy Wild West setting in Maude March. Sisters Maude and Sallie watched their Aunt Ruthie get shot right before their eyes in front of the Cedar Rapids Mercantile, and now find themselves to be orphans. They have an uncle in Independence, but that’s a long way away. And now a bunch of men in the town want to marry Maude. How can they
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 03, 2010
Morgan
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 03, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
older sister Maude March as they are orphaned together for the second time in their lives. They decide to travel westward onto the “great frontier” once they realize they have nowhere, or no one else, to turn to for survival help. During their travels west they encounter several obstacles—including becoming outlaws at the young ages of 11 and 15.
Couloumbis’ novel is filled with mysterious adventure that captivates the reader. I would recommend this book for 5th-6th grade student More...
Couloumbis’ novel is filled with mysterious adventure that captivates the reader. I would recommend this book for 5th-6th grade student More...
Mar 24, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This is a fun historical fiction. Told from eleven year old Sallie's perspective the voice in this book captures the innocence a child mixed with the adventure and colloquialism of the "dimer" novels Sallie is so fond of.
It also has a bit of a "tall tale" feel to it. Fortunately the manner in which Sallie tells her story it comes across as honest and plausible even though nobody would likely have as many outrageous misadventures as the March sisters.
Sall More...
It also has a bit of a "tall tale" feel to it. Fortunately the manner in which Sallie tells her story it comes across as honest and plausible even though nobody would likely have as many outrageous misadventures as the March sisters.
Sall More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 26, 2010
Kyra
rated it:
I read this book in the 5th grade, and I ended up going and buying it because I loved it so much. I still read it to this day.
This book is a short easy read that keeps you wondering what the hell is going to go wrong for these girls next. Marion was a blessing to them, even though he is the root of most of their problems lol
This book took me back to the times of cowboys, brawls, and extreme manners. I always wanted to read a book like this one but when I was in the 5th grade More...
This book is a short easy read that keeps you wondering what the hell is going to go wrong for these girls next. Marion was a blessing to them, even though he is the root of most of their problems lol
This book took me back to the times of cowboys, brawls, and extreme manners. I always wanted to read a book like this one but when I was in the 5th grade More...
Apr 23, 2009
babyhippoface
rated it:
Sallie and Maude were both memorable characters with depth. Usually, books that include a lot of wandering around in the snow get a little boring for me, but this one kept my attention.
I did wonder if Marion was really a good guy or not (he did rob a bank, after all), and if he and Maude would marry. Guess I'll have to wait for the sequel to find out, hmm?
I listened to the audiobook, and although I wasn't fond of the narrator's style (her diction was too crisp and precise More...
I did wonder if Marion was really a good guy or not (he did rob a bank, after all), and if he and Maude would marry. Guess I'll have to wait for the sequel to find out, hmm?
I listened to the audiobook, and although I wasn't fond of the narrator's style (her diction was too crisp and precise More...
Nov 04, 2009
Hilary
rated it:
When Sallie and Maude March's aunt is shot unexpectedly they decide to leave the safety of their small town and travel to Independence, MO in search of their long lost uncle. Unfortunately, mishap and mayhem seem to follow close on their trail as Maude is pegged as a horse thief, bank robber and murderer that is wanted by the law. A good ol' fashioned yarn about two sisters who have to do the unexpected in order to survive in a world that has left them behind. A great story for those looking for
More...
Apr 11, 2011
Bridget R.
rated it:
The untimely death of their aunt leaves fifteen-year-old Maude and eleven-year-old Sallie in a state of shock. The bank repossesses their house. Taken in my the preacher, Maude faces marriage to an old man and Sallie faces a life of servitude waiting on the preacher's family. Feeling they have no choice, the girls disguise themselves as boys and set out for Independence, Missouri, in hopes of locating their uncle there. Their journey isn't easy from the beginning and takes several turns for the
More...
Jul 28, 2010
Jenne
rated it:
Sallie March, 11 year old spunky tomboy and her older ladylike sister Maude live with Aunt Ruthie until their Aunt has the misfortune to be accidentally shot dead by the notorious Joe Harden.
The two girls are taken in by Reverend Peasley and his wife, who immediately put the girls to work running the household while they take it easy. Maude, on whom falls the brunt of the work and being courted by an elderly gentleman, decides it is time to take her’s and Sallie’s fortune into their More...
The two girls are taken in by Reverend Peasley and his wife, who immediately put the girls to work running the household while they take it easy. Maude, on whom falls the brunt of the work and being courted by an elderly gentleman, decides it is time to take her’s and Sallie’s fortune into their More...
Aug 13, 2008
Smaileh
rated it:
This is a rollicking adventure that owes a lot to the dime novels that it gently pokes fun at. Sallie and Maude March are orphans being raised by their stern but loving Aunt Kate. Then comes the day when, leaving the general store, Aunt Kate is killed by a errant bullet fired in a drunken contest. The girls are taken in by the minister and his wife, who take advantage of the girls' willingness to work and of Aunt Kate's full pantry. But when they try to practically force Maude into a marriage wi
More...
May 31, 2009
Sherrie
rated it:
4th of 15 SSYRA books for 6th to 8th grade read so far...this is a historical novel about two orphaned sisters who steal horses and head west in search of their uncle, with the older sister mistakenly becoming a famous criminal along the way. I found it to be plodding and uneventful, I can't see myself recommending this to any 6th to 8th grade students next year. Strong readers may enjoy it, but the population of struggling readers that I work with would be quite frustrated by this book.
May 12, 2009
Erica
rated it:
While I've never been a fan of Westerns, this was a rollicking good read, following the adventures of Sally and Maude March, two sisters (and orphans, natch) who begin a series of adventures after their aunt is shot.
Set against a backdrop of the wild, wild west, the girls pass themselves off as boys when they can as they travel to find their long lost uncle. There are many scrapes and adventures, and Sally narrates their tale as if they were in one of her beloved dimers.
T More...
Set against a backdrop of the wild, wild west, the girls pass themselves off as boys when they can as they travel to find their long lost uncle. There are many scrapes and adventures, and Sally narrates their tale as if they were in one of her beloved dimers.
T More...
Sep 07, 2010
Sue
rated it:
I loved this book! I listened to it and the narrator was awesome. The story is told by Sallie March, who is 11 or 12 or 13, depending on the circumstances and has been drawn into a big adventure. Along the way she gains some surprising insights about people, about right and wrong, and about survival. I found her an engaging character, along with the others in the book. Marion Hardley is an ambivalent character as to his morals. Is a good man who does wrong still a good man? Sallie comes t
More...
Jul 02, 2009
Miss Gardner
rated it: 
When eleven-year-old Salle and her older sister Maude's parents and Aunt Ruthie die, they quickly tire of being worked like servants at their new home. Maude is not impressed by the marriage proposals that keep coming her way, so the two steal some horses and dress as boys to go find their Uncle Arlen. A real wild west adventure awaits them complete with snake attacks and outlaw gangs.
Apr 15, 2010
Marina
rated it:
It was ok i basically only read it cause it was a sunshine state book but i have this rule that if i ever read a book with a series i always read it to the end so i also read the sequel to this. click on that for my review on that one. but in this story to me it felt as if all the author could do was get maude caught and then escape... oh well it was still pretty ok.
Jul 05, 2008
Kathleen
rated it:
I've read this book once and listened to it on my 'pod once, and I loved it both times. The voice of the narrator, younger sister Sallie, is simply entrancing. She's quick, witty, and in awe of those rough range riders of the West. Her older sister Maude, while always a lady, still manages to impress us and Sallie with her cool head and hand, and the sisters make an awesome pair out on the trail. I am not sure why, but I've not found a way to pitch this to my students that seems to work. Pe
More...
May 30, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
This was a cute story about two orphans braving the western frontier together and running into all sorts of unforeseen problems. It was a light read with lots of funny situations. This isn't a book I'd go out of my way to read again, but if you want a good western, this is probably a good choice. Warnings: none, unless you consider "goldurned" a swear word.
Aug 13, 2011
Lana
rated it:
In Mrs. Tessler's Class: Historical Fiction: Tough Ladies
For a YA novel, slow as molasses up a hill on a cold day. The characters are sympathetic and realistic and the wild west setting is historically true to form, but it's also what makes this book drag on and on. I was more interested in Sally, Maude's sister, than I was in her.
For a YA novel, slow as molasses up a hill on a cold day. The characters are sympathetic and realistic and the wild west setting is historically true to form, but it's also what makes this book drag on and on. I was more interested in Sally, Maude's sister, than I was in her.
Nov 01, 2010
Elyza
rated it:
I stayed up late into the night finishing this book. It was so much fun to read I couldn't stop. I have an older sister myself so it was easy to imagine myself as Sallie and my sister as Maude. When I've read other books where characters were on the run I always enjoyed reading what they chose to take with them. Sallie made me laugh with all the things she packed! I cannot wait to read the next book. If you enjoy westerns and mishap characters who accidently become outlaws, you'll love thi
More...
May 12, 2011
Lukeb
rated it:
The beginning of this book was surprisingly sad when two young girls witness her aunt Ruthie get shot down by a stray bullet and become orphans for the second time. To make it even worse they have to now live with the Peasleys and have to take care of all of their children with one on the way. Now that summer is coming to an end Sally is going back to school while Maud has to take care of all the children herself. can she manage it? or is she going on the lam?
Feb 28, 2011
Liz
rated it:
This book was funny and sassy. An enjoyable tale that follows two orphaned sisters as they stumble their way across the wild west in search of their only, living relative. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time creates simultaneously harrowing and comical situations through which the elder sister gains a reputation she does not deserve.
This was a fast, easy, fun, and clean read. I picked it up at a Scholastic book fair. Now I'm going to try to find the other two books (I think More...
This was a fast, easy, fun, and clean read. I picked it up at a Scholastic book fair. Now I'm going to try to find the other two books (I think More...
Nov 16, 2010
Anna
rated it:
my teacher said that i would like this and it turns out i really did it. it is about two sisters in the old western times and they are on the run disguising themselves because the oldest sister is being blamed for killing a lot of people. there is also a lot more to it.
Nov 01, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
Two orphaned girls journey to find their Uncle with lots of adventures along the way.
Would never have expected to enjoy a Western, but this is a very fun story. Author leads you having to make a few jumps in conversation yourself, but not too bad. Look forward to reading the newest in the series.
Would never have expected to enjoy a Western, but this is a very fun story. Author leads you having to make a few jumps in conversation yourself, but not too bad. Look forward to reading the newest in the series.
Dec 08, 2009
Lana
rated it:
For a YA novel, slow as molasses up a hill on a cold day. The characters are sympathetic and realistic and the wild west setting is historically true to form, but it's also what makes this book drag on and on. I was more interested in Sally, Maude's sister, than I was in her.
Jul 18, 2009
Kim
rated it:
While the beginning of this book felt a little like "form" writing, once I'd read the first couple of chapters I really enjoyed it. This was similar to an older version of "Junie B. Jones" + a friend! My rising 6th grader is currently reading this book and enjoying it.
Jul 12, 2011
Jupie
rated it:
This was a fun book to read. I liked the girls Sallie and Maude. They made their own way in the world and did it with thoughtfulness and gumption. There is some killing and some cold surviving, but it is interesting and does tell what it must have been like on the frontier.
Aug 18, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Loved it! This book was just a lot of fun. I liked the way it was told from the younger sister's perspective. I listened to this book on cd in the car and the reader was absolutely fabulous, so I recommend listening to this book rather than reading it.
Sep 08, 2010
Rosanne
rated it:
This is a fun book, and it is a quick read. Two girls are orphaned for the second time (parents first, and then their aunt). It is set in the old west, and it is a delightful story of the adventures of two sisters who are trying to make it on their own.
Aug 10, 2009
Sue
rated it:
What a great western with the perfect title! Maude and her sister certainly encounter many challenges as they try to find a better life. They survive the wild as they travel by foot and horse or mule to find an uncle, their only family member still alive.
