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The Kid
The Kid is the quickest draw in the West. Little does anyone know he isn’t real. A fast-paced, cleverly woven, witty middle grade western adventure.
It's 1882 in Destiny, Colorado. Fourteen-year-old Henry Upton’s parents have died, and he’s trying to keep his three younger brothers together on the farm. Henry writes a story about The Kid, the fastest draw in the West, to keep people away from their parts. But his stories will soon put more than his family and the farm at risk.
Meanwhile, Herbert might lose his job as an editor at Gunslinger Magazine in Philadelphia if he can't find out why the author of The Kid stories recently stopped sending them. The soft city slicker is headed out west to find the author.
And Snake-Eye Sam has set his sights on The Kid, whom he thinks is real. Sam has evil in his heart and jealousy in his veins. Breaking out of prison to shoot down The Kid is about the only thing that can cure the itch running down Sam's spine.
Three storylines—plus Gunslinger Magazine‘s The Kid stories—intertwine and come together just as Snake Eye Sam and Herbert both arrive in Destiny. On Main Street at high noon, a master plan is put in place at the same time that Henry and the Destiny sheriff get what they need to keep the Upton brothers together.
Pull up for a tall frothy glass of sarsaparilla and enjoy this engaging and satisfying Western tale, full of quirky characters, snappy dialogue, and heart.
It's 1882 in Destiny, Colorado. Fourteen-year-old Henry Upton’s parents have died, and he’s trying to keep his three younger brothers together on the farm. Henry writes a story about The Kid, the fastest draw in the West, to keep people away from their parts. But his stories will soon put more than his family and the farm at risk.
Meanwhile, Herbert might lose his job as an editor at Gunslinger Magazine in Philadelphia if he can't find out why the author of The Kid stories recently stopped sending them. The soft city slicker is headed out west to find the author.
And Snake-Eye Sam has set his sights on The Kid, whom he thinks is real. Sam has evil in his heart and jealousy in his veins. Breaking out of prison to shoot down The Kid is about the only thing that can cure the itch running down Sam's spine.
Three storylines—plus Gunslinger Magazine‘s The Kid stories—intertwine and come together just as Snake Eye Sam and Herbert both arrive in Destiny. On Main Street at high noon, a master plan is put in place at the same time that Henry and the Destiny sheriff get what they need to keep the Upton brothers together.
Pull up for a tall frothy glass of sarsaparilla and enjoy this engaging and satisfying Western tale, full of quirky characters, snappy dialogue, and heart.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
2 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 6, 2024
I never thought I could like a cowboy story this much! I honestly don't know where to begin!
This book pleasantly surprised me in many ways. I've never been the biggest fan of cowboy stories with gunslingers and such, but this adorable book put a new light on them for me, and I don't think I'll be able to watch or hear anything concerning cowboys without thinking of Henry and his brothers, Sheriff Quigley, Herbert, Miss Jameson, Bart, and Snake-Eye Sam, and smiling real big and wide. And I think I may be speaking cowboy for a while after this. Also, while it did take a little bit of getting used to, I ended up enjoying the multiple POV, which isn't something I normally draw towards. But I really liked it in this book. The voices of each character were distinct from one another, and the use of third person also made it easy to tell who we were with. I also liked the parallelism in the chapter headings: The Boy, The Editor, and The Outlaw.
My favorite thing about the book was the characters. All of them were unique, and so much fun! I enjoyed every minute with every one of them (except for maybe Sam...).
My favorite character was Herbert--or, should I say, Air-bear! He reminded me a little bit of Don Knotts's character Jesse in the movie The Shakiest Gun in the West, which was a treat. And all the writing lingo he used was even more of a treat, being a fellow writer! His chapters were so amusing, I laughed and smiled through all of them. And I said "Poor Herbert" so many times, laughing through the poor fellow's misfortune.
I loved Henry as well! All four Upton boys--they were all so responsible, respectable, and smart. It's so nice to see characters that honor their parents--even though they're gone--and take all the lessons learned to heart. But I loved how willing Henry was to become the head, even when he didn't quite know how to do everything. His love for his brothers was so sweet, and the four of them have an awesome dynamic. And when Henry and Herbert put their heads together to take down Sam, I was so, so, so, SO happy and excited. The two of them make a great team. I enjoyed their interaction. <3
Sam was a good villain. He had clear motivations, and an interesting (albeit sad) backstory. I was saddened by his bitterness at his family and at God--I would have liked to see a redemption arc for him... But I understand that the author wanted to keep the focus on The Kid.
The other characters were great too: Sheriff Quigley was sweet, Lizzy Jameson was an interesting character--I thought I wasn't gonna like her, but she makes a good caretaker for the boys, and her farmer-upbringing was appropriate--Baked Beans Bart was funny, and made me laugh.
The themes about the power of storytelling was fresh and fun, and handling loss was raw, my heart went out to those Upton boys. I could feel their struggles as they tried to keep their farm going alone. That's a big job for children, even for four of them. I enjoyed the use of The Kid stories throughout. It was fun to read some of those stories that everyone across the country raved so much about. I'd have been a big fan as well if I were in that setting--and even out of that setting, I AM a big fan!!!
Overall, this book is a great middle-grade story about storytelling, and the influence a good story can have. It has unique characters with clear voices and motivations, and would make a great read-aloud with the whole family. Kids who love cowboys would absolutely adore this book, as would young aspiring authors! Great book, a solid four stars.
***I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own honest opinion.***
This book pleasantly surprised me in many ways. I've never been the biggest fan of cowboy stories with gunslingers and such, but this adorable book put a new light on them for me, and I don't think I'll be able to watch or hear anything concerning cowboys without thinking of Henry and his brothers, Sheriff Quigley, Herbert, Miss Jameson, Bart, and Snake-Eye Sam, and smiling real big and wide. And I think I may be speaking cowboy for a while after this. Also, while it did take a little bit of getting used to, I ended up enjoying the multiple POV, which isn't something I normally draw towards. But I really liked it in this book. The voices of each character were distinct from one another, and the use of third person also made it easy to tell who we were with. I also liked the parallelism in the chapter headings: The Boy, The Editor, and The Outlaw.
My favorite thing about the book was the characters. All of them were unique, and so much fun! I enjoyed every minute with every one of them (except for maybe Sam...).
My favorite character was Herbert--or, should I say, Air-bear! He reminded me a little bit of Don Knotts's character Jesse in the movie The Shakiest Gun in the West, which was a treat. And all the writing lingo he used was even more of a treat, being a fellow writer! His chapters were so amusing, I laughed and smiled through all of them. And I said "Poor Herbert" so many times, laughing through the poor fellow's misfortune.
I loved Henry as well! All four Upton boys--they were all so responsible, respectable, and smart. It's so nice to see characters that honor their parents--even though they're gone--and take all the lessons learned to heart. But I loved how willing Henry was to become the head, even when he didn't quite know how to do everything. His love for his brothers was so sweet, and the four of them have an awesome dynamic. And when Henry and Herbert put their heads together to take down Sam, I was so, so, so, SO happy and excited. The two of them make a great team. I enjoyed their interaction. <3
Sam was a good villain. He had clear motivations, and an interesting (albeit sad) backstory. I was saddened by his bitterness at his family and at God--I would have liked to see a redemption arc for him... But I understand that the author wanted to keep the focus on The Kid.
The other characters were great too: Sheriff Quigley was sweet, Lizzy Jameson was an interesting character--I thought I wasn't gonna like her, but she makes a good caretaker for the boys, and her farmer-upbringing was appropriate--Baked Beans Bart was funny, and made me laugh.
The themes about the power of storytelling was fresh and fun, and handling loss was raw, my heart went out to those Upton boys. I could feel their struggles as they tried to keep their farm going alone. That's a big job for children, even for four of them. I enjoyed the use of The Kid stories throughout. It was fun to read some of those stories that everyone across the country raved so much about. I'd have been a big fan as well if I were in that setting--and even out of that setting, I AM a big fan!!!
Overall, this book is a great middle-grade story about storytelling, and the influence a good story can have. It has unique characters with clear voices and motivations, and would make a great read-aloud with the whole family. Kids who love cowboys would absolutely adore this book, as would young aspiring authors! Great book, a solid four stars.
***I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own honest opinion.***
June 29, 2024
When I received this debut book by Jeff Schill, I was drawn to what seemed like a unique and fun story. It promised a different perspective on kids who had to shoulder adult responsibilities due to the loss of both parents. And it certainly delivered on that front, but it was so much more than I expected! The story opens with a tale from a magazine called "Gunslinger Magazine", a humorous western shoot-out set in Destiny, Colorado, by an author named The Kid. This unexpected twist in the plot had me hooked from the start!
Then it moves to tell about Henry, fourteen, the oldest of four boys and starts by showing them all digging their father's grave way up a hill by their mom's. As they dig, he begins to figure out the duties each one will carry according to their innate skills. They certainly want very few people in town to know what's happened for fear they'll be separated and sent to other states.
Keeping on brings readers to a publishing house in Philly, and in a prison break-out in Arkansas, we meet a bad guy named Snake-Eye Sam. That is when I started to ask, "Wait! What?" And, I returned to re-read some of the first parts, realizing this was such an intriguing plot with varied parts, and that I could not wait to read more and more. The characters, good and bad, filled me up with smiles for the good ones, laughter at the goofy ones, and sadness for the mean ones because even they had started rough and because of that, stayed mean! The layers of each, even for the sheriff who didn't do much but had a good heart, keep piling on. Jeff Schill's descriptions simply make one want to know more and more! The language is old Western, just right if people need to share with someone and read it aloud together. Where else could you say, "You got any of those outlaw magazines in this here ring-ding store?" or "Ain't no one catch us in them hills." or "I ain't looking for no trouble."
It's a terrific book, one not to be missed! One last great part is that the inside of the cover unfolds to make a tall poster of THE KID!
Thanks to Charlesbridge for my copy!
Then it moves to tell about Henry, fourteen, the oldest of four boys and starts by showing them all digging their father's grave way up a hill by their mom's. As they dig, he begins to figure out the duties each one will carry according to their innate skills. They certainly want very few people in town to know what's happened for fear they'll be separated and sent to other states.
Keeping on brings readers to a publishing house in Philly, and in a prison break-out in Arkansas, we meet a bad guy named Snake-Eye Sam. That is when I started to ask, "Wait! What?" And, I returned to re-read some of the first parts, realizing this was such an intriguing plot with varied parts, and that I could not wait to read more and more. The characters, good and bad, filled me up with smiles for the good ones, laughter at the goofy ones, and sadness for the mean ones because even they had started rough and because of that, stayed mean! The layers of each, even for the sheriff who didn't do much but had a good heart, keep piling on. Jeff Schill's descriptions simply make one want to know more and more! The language is old Western, just right if people need to share with someone and read it aloud together. Where else could you say, "You got any of those outlaw magazines in this here ring-ding store?" or "Ain't no one catch us in them hills." or "I ain't looking for no trouble."
It's a terrific book, one not to be missed! One last great part is that the inside of the cover unfolds to make a tall poster of THE KID!
Thanks to Charlesbridge for my copy!
August 26, 2025
This book was so fun!! I had some trouble deciding on a star rating, but I finally landed on 3.5 stars.
******MY THOUGHTS******
After my sister had the pleasure of reading the e-arc of this book last year, she gifted it to me for my birthday, hoping I would enjoy it as much as she did. I'm happy to say, it was very enjoyable!
The plot of this book was simple, but unique: a boy named Henry using his writing ablilities to take care of his brothers, the editor of these stories, Herbert, who is trying to find his place and persue writing himself, and an outlaw, Snake Eye Sam, who believes the stories Henry writes to be true and wants to take down the main character of them: The Kid. It was a fun concept, but I think the execution needed some work, mainly in the pacing department. I felt the story dragged a bit at times, and the same plot points and thought processes were repeated over again before the story finally got going. But the plot itself was SO fun, and I really enjoyed following these characters!
My favorite character was probably Herbert. (he was my sister's favorite as well.) he was a pretty fun, and rather funny character to follow. He reminded me quite a bit of Jesse from 'The Shakiest Gun in the West' starring Don Knotts, and also for some reason Wurt from Over the Garden Wall. I liked the other characters as well. Henry's struggles were realistic and his personality was fun. I love the theme of how heavily influenced him and his brothers were by their parents, even after the parents passed. As for Snake-Eye Sam, he was terrifying but funny at the same time, which is kinda where another little quip I have with this book comes into play. Sam would have these long, deep meditations on God, the after-life, his past, and sin on one page, and then seemed silly and dumb on the next page. I also just felt like such a dark, evil villain written in this way didn't quite match the tone of the story, and felt quite...out of place, I guess.
I really liked the setting of this book. I've never been a huge fan of westerns, yet at the same time they have a bit of nostalgia and relatability for me. I grew up watching westerns, and I live in the west. I also felt the setting of the farm was relatable, seen as I live on a bit of a farm myself (though not a farm like the Upton boys lived on). I liked the way the setting was described. Though the west is portrayed as dry and boring, the descriptions of it in this book really brought the setting to life.
******MY THOUGHTS******
After my sister had the pleasure of reading the e-arc of this book last year, she gifted it to me for my birthday, hoping I would enjoy it as much as she did. I'm happy to say, it was very enjoyable!
The plot of this book was simple, but unique: a boy named Henry using his writing ablilities to take care of his brothers, the editor of these stories, Herbert, who is trying to find his place and persue writing himself, and an outlaw, Snake Eye Sam, who believes the stories Henry writes to be true and wants to take down the main character of them: The Kid. It was a fun concept, but I think the execution needed some work, mainly in the pacing department. I felt the story dragged a bit at times, and the same plot points and thought processes were repeated over again before the story finally got going. But the plot itself was SO fun, and I really enjoyed following these characters!
My favorite character was probably Herbert. (he was my sister's favorite as well.) he was a pretty fun, and rather funny character to follow. He reminded me quite a bit of Jesse from 'The Shakiest Gun in the West' starring Don Knotts, and also for some reason Wurt from Over the Garden Wall. I liked the other characters as well. Henry's struggles were realistic and his personality was fun. I love the theme of how heavily influenced him and his brothers were by their parents, even after the parents passed. As for Snake-Eye Sam, he was terrifying but funny at the same time, which is kinda where another little quip I have with this book comes into play. Sam would have these long, deep meditations on God, the after-life, his past, and sin on one page, and then seemed silly and dumb on the next page. I also just felt like such a dark, evil villain written in this way didn't quite match the tone of the story, and felt quite...out of place, I guess.
I really liked the setting of this book. I've never been a huge fan of westerns, yet at the same time they have a bit of nostalgia and relatability for me. I grew up watching westerns, and I live in the west. I also felt the setting of the farm was relatable, seen as I live on a bit of a farm myself (though not a farm like the Upton boys lived on). I liked the way the setting was described. Though the west is portrayed as dry and boring, the descriptions of it in this book really brought the setting to life.
January 1, 2024
I have a mix of feelings with this book. I picked it up because I am doing a critical analysis of this genre, particularly with comics and children’s fiction. I have a personal buy-in, as well, as my family migrated from the eastern United States to Wyoming and Montana. I have actual hand-written stories, as well as oral histories to capture past events from my family.
In this children’s fiction novel, the Upton family loses their parents. The oldest child, Henry, fights to keep his family together. Each child has a role, and Henry’s role is writing stories, which have gained nationwide attention with the main character, The Kid.
Henry’s story merges with Herbert (pronounced “air bear”). Herbert is Henry’s editor in Philadelphia. When Henry’s stories stop arriving, Herbert goes in search of Henry to find out why and encourage him to keep writing. Herbert has his own intentions, as he must save his job.
Snake-Eye Sam is the antagonist who believes his gun is faster than The Kid’s, so he sets off in search of The Kid for a showdown set to take place in Destiny, Colorado. All three stories converge at high noon for the classic story climax.
Liked
Inclusion of The Kid stories from The Gunslinger magazine.
Cover image and the fonts at the beginning of each chapter.
The story, as a whole, was engaging. It was full of adventure and was fast paced. The Kid and Herbert collaborating after they meet in person is a beautiful addition.
The acknowledgement of the unintended consequences of The Kid stories getting nationwide attention.
Mentions of the sarsaparilla are cute and act as great metaphors.
The chapters organized by character points of view is a nice touch.
Considerations
Whitewashing of history.
Ignoring native persons (except for one mention) and landscapes.
The “Old West” language of the characters outside of The Kid stories.
Too many stereotypes (particularly of women and also ignoring others).
Continued perpetuation of Whites as saviors of the west.
The story hit home as a nostalgic piece. Thinking about middle grade readers, they would like the adventures and the story telling. There are also some themes to which readers can relate, such as loss, fear of the future, and resiliency. Looking at the text critically, it perpetuates negative stereotypes with too much of a focus on binaries while ignoring other possibilities. I have already found myself talking about this book to others!
In this children’s fiction novel, the Upton family loses their parents. The oldest child, Henry, fights to keep his family together. Each child has a role, and Henry’s role is writing stories, which have gained nationwide attention with the main character, The Kid.
Henry’s story merges with Herbert (pronounced “air bear”). Herbert is Henry’s editor in Philadelphia. When Henry’s stories stop arriving, Herbert goes in search of Henry to find out why and encourage him to keep writing. Herbert has his own intentions, as he must save his job.
Snake-Eye Sam is the antagonist who believes his gun is faster than The Kid’s, so he sets off in search of The Kid for a showdown set to take place in Destiny, Colorado. All three stories converge at high noon for the classic story climax.
Liked
Inclusion of The Kid stories from The Gunslinger magazine.
Cover image and the fonts at the beginning of each chapter.
The story, as a whole, was engaging. It was full of adventure and was fast paced. The Kid and Herbert collaborating after they meet in person is a beautiful addition.
The acknowledgement of the unintended consequences of The Kid stories getting nationwide attention.
Mentions of the sarsaparilla are cute and act as great metaphors.
The chapters organized by character points of view is a nice touch.
Considerations
Whitewashing of history.
Ignoring native persons (except for one mention) and landscapes.
The “Old West” language of the characters outside of The Kid stories.
Too many stereotypes (particularly of women and also ignoring others).
Continued perpetuation of Whites as saviors of the west.
The story hit home as a nostalgic piece. Thinking about middle grade readers, they would like the adventures and the story telling. There are also some themes to which readers can relate, such as loss, fear of the future, and resiliency. Looking at the text critically, it perpetuates negative stereotypes with too much of a focus on binaries while ignoring other possibilities. I have already found myself talking about this book to others!
December 27, 2025
I picked this book up on a whim and I’m glad I did. What a fun, imaginative story set in Destiny, Colorado in 1882.
“Life is easy out here. What a man has he owns. What he grows he kwashiorkor. What he shoots he eats. He sleeps wherever he decides to lay his head, and he can howl at the moon whenever he darn feels like it.”
“When I’m writing, it’s like my veins are humming and my heart is singing. It’s what I’m good at. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“Life is easy out here. What a man has he owns. What he grows he kwashiorkor. What he shoots he eats. He sleeps wherever he decides to lay his head, and he can howl at the moon whenever he darn feels like it.”
“When I’m writing, it’s like my veins are humming and my heart is singing. It’s what I’m good at. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
May 14, 2024
I feel like this one just wasn't for me. From the description and reviews I'd read, I was expecting a lot of humor, but the humor in this one just didn't quite hit my funny bone. Not that there weren't humorous moments, but somehow the solemn tone of everything else that was going on made it hard for me to get that lighthearted feel I was looking for. Or maybe the humor just wasn't my type. The chapters from the villain's point of view also came off a lot darker than I was expecting, especially with his backstory. I don't honestly think it was anything wrong with the book itself; it was probably just a mismatch of style and expectations and just not quite my thing. I did enjoy how they worked out the solution at the end! ;)
January 23, 2024
Outlaws barely know what hit them when The Kid keeps law and order in an unexpected way, guaranteeing that those pages keep turning until the very last page.
Henry is only fourteen-years-old, but with the passing of his mother and father, is responsible to care for his three younger brothers and keep the farm going, which isn't a big deal since their father made sure they knew what they were doing. However, the State will see things differently. To keep them from learning about his father's death and taking his brothers away, Henry makes a deal with the Sheriff and writes about a gunslinger, who resides in the area and is able to bring all outlaws to justice, and outlaws will think twice before going to their town. It's a success and soon The Kid becomes a national bestselling series. While most outlaws now steer clear in case The Kid truly appears, there is one who takes it as a challenge and travels far just to get there. And that outlaw breathes to kill.
I picked this one up because it sticks out among the other middle grade reads, and I'm glad I did. I should also mention that I've never really been a huge fan of Wild West stories but was very curious how a gunslinger tale would meld with today's ideologies. This worked better than I expected and was quite the fast-paced, exciting read.
The tale is written from several points of view—Henry, the east coast editor Herbert, and Snake Eye Sam. Each person's nickname (Boy, Editor, etc) is placed at the beginning of the chapter as well as the year and month, since the story doesn't unfold in one timeline. The Kid's fictional story is also included in chapters here and there. These appear in a typewriter-like font and are a nice addition. Not only are tiny aspects from Henry's life woven into The Kid's adventures, but these side tales do add an entertaining and interesting twist while the main story plays out. As to the other perspectives (the main story line), these take place on two different timelines (Henry's tale starts a year before those of Herbert and Snake Eye Sam). While the month and year is stated at the beginning of each chapter as well, the back and forth does make things a bit confusing at first. After the reader figures it out, though, things flow very well.
A fast-paced weave makes the adventure exciting from beginning to end, and the real danger keeps the tension high. Still, the characters aren't forgotten, either. Due to the tale being told in various perspectives, the reader gets to know the main characters well, and, especially Henry, is easy to root for. Henry's character clashes against that of his fictional character, The Kid, and still holds enough small similarities to hit the heart. Henry's desire to keep his brothers safe, his cleverness, and even his mistakes make him easy to sympathize with and support. Herbert also adds an unique sub-plot as he leaves his protected life to travel out West. His journey and views are so different than those of Snake Eye Sam, that it also creates an interesting contrast. As for Snake Eye Sam, he makes a terrific bad guy.
There are a couple of triggers surrounding death of a loved one and violent deaths (thanks to evil Snake Eye Sam), but the read is appropriate for tween and teen audiences. The messages surrounding family and perseverance are inspiring, and there are lovely character arcs for both Henry and Herbert. The high-noon stand-off brings everything to a well-laid peak and closes off with a few extra surprises.
I was surprised by how much this read pulled me in and do recommend it to adventure and action fans, who would like to try something a bit different. I received a DRC through Netgalley and enjoyed this story more than I expected.
Henry is only fourteen-years-old, but with the passing of his mother and father, is responsible to care for his three younger brothers and keep the farm going, which isn't a big deal since their father made sure they knew what they were doing. However, the State will see things differently. To keep them from learning about his father's death and taking his brothers away, Henry makes a deal with the Sheriff and writes about a gunslinger, who resides in the area and is able to bring all outlaws to justice, and outlaws will think twice before going to their town. It's a success and soon The Kid becomes a national bestselling series. While most outlaws now steer clear in case The Kid truly appears, there is one who takes it as a challenge and travels far just to get there. And that outlaw breathes to kill.
I picked this one up because it sticks out among the other middle grade reads, and I'm glad I did. I should also mention that I've never really been a huge fan of Wild West stories but was very curious how a gunslinger tale would meld with today's ideologies. This worked better than I expected and was quite the fast-paced, exciting read.
The tale is written from several points of view—Henry, the east coast editor Herbert, and Snake Eye Sam. Each person's nickname (Boy, Editor, etc) is placed at the beginning of the chapter as well as the year and month, since the story doesn't unfold in one timeline. The Kid's fictional story is also included in chapters here and there. These appear in a typewriter-like font and are a nice addition. Not only are tiny aspects from Henry's life woven into The Kid's adventures, but these side tales do add an entertaining and interesting twist while the main story plays out. As to the other perspectives (the main story line), these take place on two different timelines (Henry's tale starts a year before those of Herbert and Snake Eye Sam). While the month and year is stated at the beginning of each chapter as well, the back and forth does make things a bit confusing at first. After the reader figures it out, though, things flow very well.
A fast-paced weave makes the adventure exciting from beginning to end, and the real danger keeps the tension high. Still, the characters aren't forgotten, either. Due to the tale being told in various perspectives, the reader gets to know the main characters well, and, especially Henry, is easy to root for. Henry's character clashes against that of his fictional character, The Kid, and still holds enough small similarities to hit the heart. Henry's desire to keep his brothers safe, his cleverness, and even his mistakes make him easy to sympathize with and support. Herbert also adds an unique sub-plot as he leaves his protected life to travel out West. His journey and views are so different than those of Snake Eye Sam, that it also creates an interesting contrast. As for Snake Eye Sam, he makes a terrific bad guy.
There are a couple of triggers surrounding death of a loved one and violent deaths (thanks to evil Snake Eye Sam), but the read is appropriate for tween and teen audiences. The messages surrounding family and perseverance are inspiring, and there are lovely character arcs for both Henry and Herbert. The high-noon stand-off brings everything to a well-laid peak and closes off with a few extra surprises.
I was surprised by how much this read pulled me in and do recommend it to adventure and action fans, who would like to try something a bit different. I received a DRC through Netgalley and enjoyed this story more than I expected.
December 20, 2023
What worked:
The plot is extremely unique for middle-grade readers. First off, there aren’t many books about Wild West gunslingers that feature young characters. The author builds the Old West climate through descriptions of the setting, actions, and the characters’ language. A thief and gunslinger named Snake-Eye Sam crosses hot, dusty plains on horseback to Destiny, Colorado, and spends nights under the stars. He makes stops along the way to rob stores and travelers, often riling himself up into a mood to kill. Surprisingly, the author never actually describes Sam shooting or murdering anyone so it’s appropriate for middle-grade readers. The scenes include tobacco spitting, drinking sarsaparilla (not Sam though!), and encountering rattlesnakes. Readers will let their finds drift back to the 1800s to immerse themselves in the Wild West.
Four different stories are told featuring four different main characters. Perhaps the most important perspective features The Kid, a young boy who’s a quick-draw gunslinger. Other chapters focus on Henry and his brothers as Henry creates stories of The Kid to keep thieves and the state away from their family farm. Another point of view features Sam who has eyes on building his reputation by killing The Kid. Finally, another narrative follows a magazine editor named Harold who’s traveling West to find out why he hasn’t been receiving more stories about The Kid. Harold is naïve about this part of the country and has a lot to learn.
The author builds the plot up to the much-anticipated climax between Snake-Eye Sam and The Kid. The Kid is a fictional character wearing an over-sized hat but readers will immediately note that Henry also wears his father’s too-large cowboy hat. Sam’s anger grows whenever he hears the magazine stories about The Kid so his fury builds to an inferno by the time he reaches Destiny. The big question for readers is how Henry, a boy with zero talent for guns, can survive a showdown with a ruthless, skilled killer. Henry’s main asset is his brain but can that defeat a six-shooter?
What didn’t work as well:
The timeline of the different points of view is a little confusing. The book opens with a tale of The Kid and later chapters describe the outlaw Snake-Eye Sam, the magazine employee Herbert, and finally Henry and his brothers. The strange thing is the introduction of Henry creating The Kid comes after the book has already shared a couple of stories about The Kid. The early sections about Herbert seem out of place but they become more significant once he arrives in Destiny.
The final verdict:
It’s challenging to find middle-grade novels that stand out from others but The Kid is successfully different. Henry’s idea to save the family farm is thoughtful and creative but once readers meet Snake-Eye Sam they’ll realize a final showdown between the two is inevitable. Overall, the plot unfolds into a tense, descriptive tale and I recommend you give it a shot!
The plot is extremely unique for middle-grade readers. First off, there aren’t many books about Wild West gunslingers that feature young characters. The author builds the Old West climate through descriptions of the setting, actions, and the characters’ language. A thief and gunslinger named Snake-Eye Sam crosses hot, dusty plains on horseback to Destiny, Colorado, and spends nights under the stars. He makes stops along the way to rob stores and travelers, often riling himself up into a mood to kill. Surprisingly, the author never actually describes Sam shooting or murdering anyone so it’s appropriate for middle-grade readers. The scenes include tobacco spitting, drinking sarsaparilla (not Sam though!), and encountering rattlesnakes. Readers will let their finds drift back to the 1800s to immerse themselves in the Wild West.
Four different stories are told featuring four different main characters. Perhaps the most important perspective features The Kid, a young boy who’s a quick-draw gunslinger. Other chapters focus on Henry and his brothers as Henry creates stories of The Kid to keep thieves and the state away from their family farm. Another point of view features Sam who has eyes on building his reputation by killing The Kid. Finally, another narrative follows a magazine editor named Harold who’s traveling West to find out why he hasn’t been receiving more stories about The Kid. Harold is naïve about this part of the country and has a lot to learn.
The author builds the plot up to the much-anticipated climax between Snake-Eye Sam and The Kid. The Kid is a fictional character wearing an over-sized hat but readers will immediately note that Henry also wears his father’s too-large cowboy hat. Sam’s anger grows whenever he hears the magazine stories about The Kid so his fury builds to an inferno by the time he reaches Destiny. The big question for readers is how Henry, a boy with zero talent for guns, can survive a showdown with a ruthless, skilled killer. Henry’s main asset is his brain but can that defeat a six-shooter?
What didn’t work as well:
The timeline of the different points of view is a little confusing. The book opens with a tale of The Kid and later chapters describe the outlaw Snake-Eye Sam, the magazine employee Herbert, and finally Henry and his brothers. The strange thing is the introduction of Henry creating The Kid comes after the book has already shared a couple of stories about The Kid. The early sections about Herbert seem out of place but they become more significant once he arrives in Destiny.
The final verdict:
It’s challenging to find middle-grade novels that stand out from others but The Kid is successfully different. Henry’s idea to save the family farm is thoughtful and creative but once readers meet Snake-Eye Sam they’ll realize a final showdown between the two is inevitable. Overall, the plot unfolds into a tense, descriptive tale and I recommend you give it a shot!
October 11, 2024
This book is great for parents who have boys who don't like to read, but love their adventure stories.
Set in the 1880s, Henry Upton, eldest of 4 boys, has the burden of making sure he and his brothers are not to be separated by the state after the death of their father. There is also the added burden of running a viable farm, when his own talents lie elsewhere--writing. Soon he devises a plan that will keep people away from their little town of Destiny, Colorado, and be able to afford buying the things they need to keep the farm going. He starts writing Wild West adventures of a little kid who is quick on the draw with his gun and is able to outsmart bandits, bank robbers, and bullies. His fame spreads and brings some unwanted attention. Maybe his little scheme is too good to last. Now, he needs to find a way to get out of the pickle he had placed himself in.
I love the adventures that the fictional Kid has which provides great entertainment to readers, not just of the book, but to the fictional readers of Gunslinger magazine, in which they are published, as well. It captures the imagination and the fantasy of living in the West.
Children who love their action, not just with guns but by matching wits with the bad guys, will surely be entertained by The Kid's takedown of them bad guys.
Though there are mentions of Snake-Eye Sam's patricide (he IS the baddest guy of them all) as well as his blaming the "maker" for the evil in him (which, of course is all man's actions and choices), this book is still an entertaining read, and parents may just need to explain the abovementioned topics if needed.
Otherwise, I enjoyed it and my boys do, too. It is a likeable story of a 14-year-old who is trying to fill his father's shoes and keeping his little family together.
Set in the 1880s, Henry Upton, eldest of 4 boys, has the burden of making sure he and his brothers are not to be separated by the state after the death of their father. There is also the added burden of running a viable farm, when his own talents lie elsewhere--writing. Soon he devises a plan that will keep people away from their little town of Destiny, Colorado, and be able to afford buying the things they need to keep the farm going. He starts writing Wild West adventures of a little kid who is quick on the draw with his gun and is able to outsmart bandits, bank robbers, and bullies. His fame spreads and brings some unwanted attention. Maybe his little scheme is too good to last. Now, he needs to find a way to get out of the pickle he had placed himself in.
I love the adventures that the fictional Kid has which provides great entertainment to readers, not just of the book, but to the fictional readers of Gunslinger magazine, in which they are published, as well. It captures the imagination and the fantasy of living in the West.
Children who love their action, not just with guns but by matching wits with the bad guys, will surely be entertained by The Kid's takedown of them bad guys.
Though there are mentions of Snake-Eye Sam's patricide (he IS the baddest guy of them all) as well as his blaming the "maker" for the evil in him (which, of course is all man's actions and choices), this book is still an entertaining read, and parents may just need to explain the abovementioned topics if needed.
Otherwise, I enjoyed it and my boys do, too. It is a likeable story of a 14-year-old who is trying to fill his father's shoes and keeping his little family together.
June 23, 2025
14yo Henry is now the man of the family. Keeping a farm going in the 1880s in Destiny, Colorado is a difficult thing for a grown man, but with Pa and Ma both dead, Henry is desperate to keep himself and his three younger brothers together, and on the farm. Everyone has jobs, and Henry has a plan. His ma taught him to write, and so he invents a gunslinger, called "The Kid" and sends escapades to a magazine in Philadelphia that pays for stories by the word. Soon, everyone thinks The Kid is real, including the outlaw Snake-Eye Sam, who is determined to prove he's a faster gun than the kid and is determine to find him and kill him. Also, his editor from Gunslinger Magazine travels out west to find "The Kid" too. It's been a couple of months since he's received a story, and the managing editor is anxious.
The Kid was a really fun western with all the frills: poor farmers, an old sheriff, a saloon that mostly sells sarsaparilla, outlaws, a damsel, and a city slicker. I was worried because the multiple perspectives aren't happening at the same time, but they do eventually come together. I loved the voice, particularly Henry's, as his grammar is very Old West and gives the book a nice feel for the time period. Historical Fiction, especially Western-themed themed is a hard sell, but I'm willing to give this a try in my library. The main characters are white.
The Kid was a really fun western with all the frills: poor farmers, an old sheriff, a saloon that mostly sells sarsaparilla, outlaws, a damsel, and a city slicker. I was worried because the multiple perspectives aren't happening at the same time, but they do eventually come together. I loved the voice, particularly Henry's, as his grammar is very Old West and gives the book a nice feel for the time period. Historical Fiction, especially Western-themed themed is a hard sell, but I'm willing to give this a try in my library. The main characters are white.
June 9, 2024
Set in 1881 Destiny, CO the story is told in several voices, often in the vernacular of the time and location. The four Upton boys find themselves orphans and in order to prevent anyone knowing and separating them, they decide to continue maintaining the family farm and Henry, the oldest, begins writing a series featuring The Kid, the fastest draw in the West, for Gunslinger Magazine to make money for them. The other characters are Herbert who will lose his job at the magazine if he can’t learn why the articles are no longer being sent and Snake-Eye Sam who breaks out of prison to track down The Kid and show him who’s really the fastest draw in the West. I really loved the story with its heartfelt message about family and its small bites of middle grade humor (Herbert travels west with an old man who delivers beans so you can guess) and do absolutely recommend this book. I want to, however, add a disclaimer that the explanation of how Sam got so mean was because his father physically abused him though the story does not dwell on that. And he was in prison for shooting his father when his cousin was going to be hit – also mentioned but not dwelt upon. You can decide if your reader can handle that.
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July 18, 2025Let's face it. Westerns are not my thing. This narrative told the story of four young boys fending for themselves on their farm after the death of their only parent, their father. The oldest has a penchant for writing and ends up making some money by writing tall tales about a sharpshooting kid and sending them back east for publication. The narrative alternates between these "tall tales" and "real life." In such a short novel that limits the time the reader has to engage with the characters and for the author to show any development in said characters. The book ended up rather boring unfortunately. Some middle schoolers may enjoy it but I wouldn't recommend it.
November 14, 2024
"For bringing robbers and desperadoes to justice, no one in the annals of the Old West could match the accurately named “Kid” for quick guns and quicker wits. So it is that Snake-Eye Sam, the most murderous gunslinger of all, sets out to show who’s quickest on the draw by blasting the laconic little lawman to kingdom come—unaware that The Kid and all his exploits are fictional creations of 14-year-old farm boy Henry Upton and his tinhorn magazine editor from Philadelphia." [Booklist]
March 18, 2025
When Henry’s Papa dies, he worries about keeping his 3 younger brothers fed and together. With the help of the sheriff, he is able to keep the news of his father’s death quiet. To feed his brothers, he starts writing stories about the greatest gunslinger in the West, The Kid. The stories are so popular that people – his editor, bandits, celebrity-seekers – start traveling to Destiny, Colorado to meet the real Kid. When Snake-Eye Sam comes to town, will The Kid be able to defend his town?
January 25, 2024
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a good choice for readers who want a historical fiction book in the West in the 1880s, with a setting similar to Dallas' Tenmile, Patron's Behind the Mask, or Park's Prairie Lotus, and a feel of Gemeinhart's Some Kind of Courage or Timberlake's One Came Home. The three different viewpoints were interesting.
This is a good choice for readers who want a historical fiction book in the West in the 1880s, with a setting similar to Dallas' Tenmile, Patron's Behind the Mask, or Park's Prairie Lotus, and a feel of Gemeinhart's Some Kind of Courage or Timberlake's One Came Home. The three different viewpoints were interesting.
July 21, 2024
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I can't say that I am a fan of westerns, but this book is so good. I thought the construction of the narrative was so creative. The dialogue is witty and engaging. I loved all the development of the characters. This book will stay with me for a while.
May 11, 2024
A really great book for the target audience, but I loved it myself. So far my kids are devouring it and have asked to give a copy to their friends! Very well written - anything that keeps a book in my children’s faces is a winner in my mind.
September 29, 2024
A must read for anyone who loves westerns, orphans, bad guys or writers. Jeff Schill’s debut middle grade is full of so much heart you will not be disappointed. I loved this book. Hopefully there are more where this came from.
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January 14, 2024PopSugar24 #34
September 30, 2024
This book has everything. It's exciting, hilarious, and even moving. I love the different points of view, and the wild-west setting. I can see this being turned into a Netflix series.
May 19, 2025
I basically read this book in a weekend. Couldn’t put it down. Great read!
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