Save Queen of Sheba

by Louise Moeri

After miraculously surviving a Sioux Indian raid on the trail to Oregon, a brother and sister set out with few provisions to find the rest of the settlers.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Westerns, Adventure, Historical, Middle Grade, Native Americans

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Luke. Getman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading the book SAVE QUEEN OF SHEBA by Louise Moeri and am really liking it. I like this book because it is very good at describing the forests and, in particular, the willow trees. I like how the willow trees were described as entrapping. A boy named David (King David) and his younger sister, Sheba(Queen Sheba), and their wagon trail get attacked by unexpected visitors. Their parents have fled with the rest of the team leaving the siblings alone. David and Sheba are the only ones left behind. I like this book because the characters are very believable. David and Sheba are believable because they both have regular parents and seem like ordinary people. I found it exciting that Indian raids happened a lot. I also thought it was interesting to read about "every day" kids losing their parents and having to survive on their own. The author does a good job of jumping right into the action instead of easing into it slowly. I would recommend this book to action thirsty readers. Sheba is very sassy and stubborn while David is very serious. For example, Sheba had to wear a pair of Margret Anne Beecham shoes and she said "I won't wear these shoes!" even when that was the only pair she had left after the raid. She often complains and David whips her knuckles to tell her to stop. Another reason I like this book is because all of the dialogue and non-stop action makes it hard to stop reading! Every tiny sentence is written in action like, for instance, "He jerked". In every paragraph, Sheba complains for ma', her mom. I also enjoyed reading this book because it tells you where the characters are located just like you looking at a GPS of where they are at any given time. I give this book five stars because its its non-stop "flow" makes it my favorite yet.

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December 10, 2012

I have finished the book entitled SAVE QUEEN OF SHEBA, written by Louise Moeri. I really liked the grand ending. I liked it because there's lots of drama to keep your attention. In this part, David, the main character, loses his little sister Sheba. He looks for her but he can't find her. This part is suspenseful. I also enjoyed how the author has David encounter an Indian. The Indian has his sister! David threatens to shoot the Indian if he doesn't give Sheba back to him. The author's writing is so detailed that it even shows the facial expressions. In the very end, it's fun to read because everyone finally gets back together. David and Sheba finally find the wagon trail and see their parents. I liked the happy ending.
P.S. Mrs. Puga, the end part was very short! :-)









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DEC.3,2012



I am reading the book SAVE QUEEN OF SHEBA by Louise Moeri and have read further on in the book. The part I'm in is when David and his little sister Sheba are on the journey to meet up with their parents somehow and then head northwest with them. I am enjoying this part because it's the period in the book when survival skills are really coming into play. They have to find shelter, hunt for food,make fire, and fend off Indians that want to kill them. I like how Moeri keeps an easy to follow pace in this part and really hooks you to keep reading on about the characters and what's going to happen next. Davidleverly finds the wagon trail tracks and takes shelter in an abandonded cave. Some parts are depressing, however. For example, Sheba really thinks they are going to die and believes her parents are dead too for a while. Living with no parents in my house would be horrible. I don't like to even think about that. David and Sheba don't even have a house.: -( This part I'm reading is really changed my feeling about what type of book this is. I still think it's really good and I am looking forward to reading it all the way through. I can't wait to write more about the next events/problems that happen to David and Sheba.
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Dec.10 this weeks.|
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I have finished the book SAVE QUEEN OF SHEBA by louise Moeri and have liked the 'final fanaly' at the end.I like the end beacause it's when david the main charecter looses his little sister Sheba and
has to find her ,if he can.ITt really shows how sheba is truely like.I also like how the aouther has David encounter indian and shows how the indian reacts and shows the the facial expressions in the righting well.I also like how she adds a very attention grabbing end,when they find the wagon trail and see their parents . A happy ending.

PS.the end part I was in was very short.Mrs.Puga:-)

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! It came highly recommended by a lovely, retired teacher friend, and I read it with the hope that I could read it to my 11 and 12 year old boys as we study the Oregon Trail. My youngest's greatest fear is being separated from his parents (short term or forever), so this book will have to wait.

My friend said she cries at the end every time, but because I guessed the ending and read it in one sitting, it didn't really affect me. Good book, but I'm not eager to dig in again soon.

[Noemi Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the best book I’ve read! It was a very good ending and it makes you really anxious on what’s going to happen next in the book!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I was the sole librarian at a small, rural branch. Deciding it was my duty to know the collection, I chose random titles regardless of recommended ages.

"Save Queen of Sheba", an adventure story for young reluctant readers, caught my attention from the opening lines when King David becomes conscious after an Indian attack on their wagon train and realizes he has been scalped.

King David, who is twelve, and his spoiled little sister Queen of Sheba, who is six, are the only survivors of the vicious attack. With luck he might save himself, but does he need the burden of his little sister?

This story is a gem. The ending is perfect. And unlike other books I have reread years later, "Save Queen of Sheba" still has the power to affect me deeply.

[Nevada Libert · Rating 4 out of 5]

half of there wagon team was attacked by indians the other half got away king david must save his little sister and to bertect them from indians. to kids all a lone in an empty preire nobody to look after them little food. they have to hurry and find the rest of the wagon team before it is to late.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 children left alive after Indian attack on wagons

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading book in cavanaghs class so good

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

A reread from childhood. For some reason it stuck with me and I found it again at a used bookstore.

The only survivors of a Sioux attack on their wagon train, 12-year old King David and his 6-year-old sister Queen of Sheba set out to find the rest of the wagons that fled from the massacre. Wounded and with only a few supplies they risk dying out on the prarie. I think this book stuck with me because it does describe such a brutal survival situation, and also, strangely, because there is not much love between the brother and sister. This is somehow emphasized by the detached (not playful) way they call each other King David and Queen of Sheba. (Which are supposedly their given names?)

A small strange rough book. Makes a minimal effort to "explain" hostile behavior from Indians toward white settlers.

[Carenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A survival story. I was impressed by David's ability to keep himself and Sheba going. He had to deal with his own injuries and care for a whiny four-year-old. His perseverance seems to stem more from his sense of duty to his parents than from love for her.

[Cynda Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my elementary teacher's read us this book, I loved it so much. I remember it being the first time I really craved chapter books. The description of how the rabbit tasted is still stuck with me. Sounds delicious 🤤

[Luke Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book and it was kind of cool because there was a character named Luke Skinner who died in the very beginning and his name was a mix of mine and my friends name. I remember the rest being fine there was a part with a bunch of dead bison and a part about some native Americans.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a struggle finishing this book because I loathed the title character. She was whiny, spoiled, petulant and turned a possibly interesting story into a wince festival. If her brother had dropped her off the edge of a cliff, I wouldn't have blamed him at all.

[Robin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like other reviewers, a childhood read that stuck with me vividly. Someone else called it a small, strange rough book. I think it stands out for being so unpleasant, not glossed over for children’s fiction.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I read as a child that I remember making a big impression on me.

[Allison A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this long ago and still remember it vividly. Have purchased it now to share with my kids.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book when I was in school. I've never forgotten it.

[Enikő · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this book since elementary school and still go back and read it every once in a while.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts out after an Indian attack on a wagon train heading west. The only 2 survivors are 12 year old King David and his 6 year old sister Queen of Sheba. David has been partially scalped and has difficulty taking care of himself, let alone the highly annoying Queen. (As a former Kindergarten teacher, I take a bit of offense at Queen of Sheba's lack of self control and common sense.) Anyway, the story centers around their attempt to find the remainder of the wagon train that escaped from the Indians in the hope of finding their parents. Lots of action... I think the boys in my class will enjoy it.

[Amy Brown (amylikestoreadalot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in my school's library last week and had to check it out. I remember loving it as a child! It is a fast read, very interesting! Two children survive an Indian attack on their wagon train, and they set out to find the rest of the train that escaped. They believe their parents escaped, as their family's wagon is missing. The boy is named King David, and his little sister is Queen Sheba. I think I will read this aloud to my class, as we are studying historical fiction now. Another interesting fact...the author is from Manteca, just about 45 minutes up the road from me!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I remember a teacher reading out loud to the class. I was probably in third grade. And I was transfixed by this story-- a big brother in charge of saving his little sister, the scalped head, the horses, and raw cornmeal. It took some Google searching to figure out what the book was called, but when I found it, I bought a copy and read it in a day. It was such a nostalgic read for me, and amazing to see what my memory got right and what it might have embellished a bit.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I thought this was a great story. The theme is survival against the elements. As an adult, I know the kids have to find their parents again, but they have real struggles along the way that keep you wanting to read the story. The story was full of similies, and vivid descriptions, which would make Saving Queen of Sheba a great mentor text for writing. Ironically, I did not see this book listed on the most challenged books list. King David says "damn" and "hell" and mutters "Oh, Lord."

[Lisa Rathbun]

I loved the first chapter - very intense with great details that made the reader feel part of the scene. I thought the story, though realistic, might have moved a little slowly, and then I felt the ending was way, way, way too sudden. After pages and pages of details about day after endless day trudging through the prairie and pulling grass for the horse to eat, I thought I deserved a better ending scene.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book for a long time as a child. It is set in the frontier days. My imagination had a field day with this one. I was the queen of sheba riding on my horse crossing the prairie and hoping I wouldnt get scalped by the indians. I think I might have to buy it to read to my daughter. And son for that matter. My own little Queen of Sheba and King David.

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the book my 5th grade teacher used to read aloud in class to us? It was either a classic from the first half of the 20th C or it was published around 1984.

I remember it was about westgoing homesteaders running into American Indian tribes and having to fight them.

I thought it was fascinating at the time, but I have no idea how I'd react to the tale now.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in 5th grade and though I couldn't remember the title, parts of the story stuck with me so that when I saw it in the bookstore ten years later, I had to buy it. I still really enjoy this coming-of-age story set in the old west.

[Heather Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it with my 5th graders while studying Westward Expansion. They LOVED it and honestly so did I! It was a great book filled with lots of spots to stop and discuss. The ending was a little disappointing though.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book based on a recommendation by my sIxth grader. It's a very descriptive book which makes you feel like you are experiencing the conditions and emotions King David is feeling...so much responsibility for such a young guy.

[Sarahlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite read with the kids. It wasn’t as exciting as I remember, but Moeri’s books really did it for me as a kid. High stakes. So much responsibility. The weight of being the oldest child.

[Melainebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grâce à ce livre, j'ai vu l'appauvrissement du vocabulaire dans les romans pour enfants. Bien construit autour de la psychologie de Roi David et de ses actions, rien n'est mièvre ni trop dur. Tout est dans la nuance.
Castor Poche est une excellente collection.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in 5th grade and have revisited it several times since. A fascinating tale of the westward movement and the trials faced by one particular family.