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Heart of Grit
It's 1860 on the American frontier. Talk of a civil war is brewing, and the Pony Express is born.Fifteen-year-old Beatrice Brannon, a peacekeeper and rule-follower, faces losing her family's most prized their land and their hard-won respect. She vows to save both, but earning fast money is nearly impossible for a girl in those parts. Bea's friend, Charlie Rye, has carved out a hardscrabble existence, surviving by his own rules until his father drains Charlie's reputation down to the dregs. He's desperate for a lifeline.When the Pony Express comes to town recruiting riders, Bea and Charlie consider it fate, but they'll need to break their familiar rules. Both in disguise, they venture out into a world filled with injustice and corruption. Even folks they'd trusted are playing crooked games. They'll need to keep hidden to stay ahead. But after some missteps, Bea and Charlie fall into the traps set by their enemies. It's going to take more than belief in nice principles to save their lives and everything they hold dear. It's going to take drastic action and a heart of grit.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2023
5 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 10, 2024
A rip roaring adventure with a happy ending!
Shelli Sivert is an up and coming author!
Shelli Sivert is an up and coming author!
January 11, 2024
This was such an engaging read from beginning to end! The characters were lovable, believable and easy to cheer on! I loved to learn a little bit of the history in this well researched but exciting book! Couldn't put it down!
January 1, 2026
An adventurous historical western that follows two teens in 1860 American Frontier: Beatrice "Bea" Brannon, a daughter of a respected sheriff, and her best friend Charlie Rye, a half-Native American young man. As the famous Pony Express is born in the midst of a looming civil war, Bea and Charlie embark on an adventure of a lifetime to change their fate-- Bea striving to save her family's land after her father's horrific death, and Charlie to make a mark for himself. But they'll have to navigate deep prejudices and injustices, and uncover a deadly, secret organization rooted in corruption.
You can tell that the author interwoven her research of American history very well, adding plots of mystery and adventure that keeps the reader's attention long enough to see through the end. Each of the characters shone throughout the story, especially Bea and Charlie and the many freinds--- and enimies-- they encounter.
An enjoyable read for teens and older!
You can tell that the author interwoven her research of American history very well, adding plots of mystery and adventure that keeps the reader's attention long enough to see through the end. Each of the characters shone throughout the story, especially Bea and Charlie and the many freinds--- and enimies-- they encounter.
An enjoyable read for teens and older!
November 16, 2023
Heart of Grit is a well-researched, engaging coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Beatrice Brannon, aka “Bea” and her adventurous life in 1860. The setting is pre-Civil War in a small town on the frontier. Bea reveres her Irish-immigrant, miner, and sheriff father, and, along with her mother and her twin brothers live in a home her father built himself. The success of her father’s mining enterprise is questionable at best and Bea struggles with wanting to fit in with the other young, refined ladies and blazing her own trail alongside her childhood pal Charlie Rye.
Her adventures begin when she overhears the town discussing the start of the Pony Express and the possibility of civil war. Seeking an adventure, Bea and Charlie, who has problems of his own, scheme to win the two rider spots available for the Express, even though women aren’t allowed to do much of anything independently at this point in history.
This book has it all: adventure, romance, murder, deception, civil unrest, evil in high places, and betrayal. Clever and tough Bea gets herself out of one pickle after the next and it’s very entertaining.
The characters were endearing and realistic and the storyline kept me engaged through out the whole thing. My only questions are why some of the characters seemed to be painted as all bad and others were involved in evil schemes but were quickly forgiven and made to appear as though they had reformed.
I’d recommend this book to middle grade readers and anyone who is young at heart or enjoys reading about this era.
I was given an ARC copy of this book. I’d love to read a sequel!
Her adventures begin when she overhears the town discussing the start of the Pony Express and the possibility of civil war. Seeking an adventure, Bea and Charlie, who has problems of his own, scheme to win the two rider spots available for the Express, even though women aren’t allowed to do much of anything independently at this point in history.
This book has it all: adventure, romance, murder, deception, civil unrest, evil in high places, and betrayal. Clever and tough Bea gets herself out of one pickle after the next and it’s very entertaining.
The characters were endearing and realistic and the storyline kept me engaged through out the whole thing. My only questions are why some of the characters seemed to be painted as all bad and others were involved in evil schemes but were quickly forgiven and made to appear as though they had reformed.
I’d recommend this book to middle grade readers and anyone who is young at heart or enjoys reading about this era.
I was given an ARC copy of this book. I’d love to read a sequel!
November 21, 2023
A brave, adventurous ride in the Old West with Bea & Charlie
I loved this book! If you are into young adult historical fiction with drama, humor and heart, Heart of Grit by Shelli Sivert will be right up your alley. The novel follows main characters Beatrice (Bea) and Charlie, two teenagers in the rural west during the time period right before the Civil War. The Pony Express, family drama, secret societies, tension from the impending war lead the main characters to being forced out into the world for the first time - to take care of themselves and their families and to solve a mystery along the way. I found the storyline engaging, dialogue on point and the characters entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud and tearing up at parts. It was a good mix of adventure, mystery, history, ideals and a bit of romance. It reminded me of some of my favorite historical fiction books I read growing up. The only thing I wished for a bit more of was more interactions between the main characters (but maybe we just need another book for that!).
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Isn’t it fear that make a man close his eyes to the truth?”
“From day to day, as mortals, we all live with the risk of never seein’ each other again. Life’s a gamble, sometimes a cruel one.”
“But I will say this is what comes of hate. Destruction. That’s all it will ever bring. It is not capable of anything else. It does not build anything. It only tears it down.”
“Making friends with the world is a far greater challenge than simply hating it”
I receive the book as an ARC. Can’t wait for the adventures of Bea and Charlie to continue!
I loved this book! If you are into young adult historical fiction with drama, humor and heart, Heart of Grit by Shelli Sivert will be right up your alley. The novel follows main characters Beatrice (Bea) and Charlie, two teenagers in the rural west during the time period right before the Civil War. The Pony Express, family drama, secret societies, tension from the impending war lead the main characters to being forced out into the world for the first time - to take care of themselves and their families and to solve a mystery along the way. I found the storyline engaging, dialogue on point and the characters entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud and tearing up at parts. It was a good mix of adventure, mystery, history, ideals and a bit of romance. It reminded me of some of my favorite historical fiction books I read growing up. The only thing I wished for a bit more of was more interactions between the main characters (but maybe we just need another book for that!).
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Isn’t it fear that make a man close his eyes to the truth?”
“From day to day, as mortals, we all live with the risk of never seein’ each other again. Life’s a gamble, sometimes a cruel one.”
“But I will say this is what comes of hate. Destruction. That’s all it will ever bring. It is not capable of anything else. It does not build anything. It only tears it down.”
“Making friends with the world is a far greater challenge than simply hating it”
I receive the book as an ARC. Can’t wait for the adventures of Bea and Charlie to continue!
November 22, 2023
Ride along with the Pony Express in this charming debut novel by Shelli Sivert.
Exciting times are coming to Victory Hills, but Bea and Charlie have no idea just how exciting they are going to be. Bea's almost idyllic life is turned upside down by a tragedy and she sets out on a heroine's quest to save her family's home and restore her family's name. Charlie, whose life has been the opposite of Bea's, is eager to leave behind his father and his father's name. The opportunity to ride for the Pony Express seems to offer them both what they need.
Pardon the pun, this novel has a lot of heart. The characters are endearing and I appreciated how the points of view alternated between Bea and Charlie. Without giving away the storyline, let me say that you will not be bored and you will be rooting for Bea and Charlie all the way. And, hopefully you'll also enjoy the historical significance of the events taking place in and around the novel and will be motivated to learn more about them.
If you enjoy young adult historical fiction, you cannot go wrong with this book.
Please note: I received an ARC of this book.
Exciting times are coming to Victory Hills, but Bea and Charlie have no idea just how exciting they are going to be. Bea's almost idyllic life is turned upside down by a tragedy and she sets out on a heroine's quest to save her family's home and restore her family's name. Charlie, whose life has been the opposite of Bea's, is eager to leave behind his father and his father's name. The opportunity to ride for the Pony Express seems to offer them both what they need.
Pardon the pun, this novel has a lot of heart. The characters are endearing and I appreciated how the points of view alternated between Bea and Charlie. Without giving away the storyline, let me say that you will not be bored and you will be rooting for Bea and Charlie all the way. And, hopefully you'll also enjoy the historical significance of the events taking place in and around the novel and will be motivated to learn more about them.
If you enjoy young adult historical fiction, you cannot go wrong with this book.
Please note: I received an ARC of this book.
May 9, 2024
Heart of Grit by Shelli Sivert is amazing! This YA novel takes place in 1860 and Sivert transports the reader there immediately. Her writing is seamless, and the tone is on point. The amount of research and attention to detail on setting and getting the wording just right to match the tone of how folks spoke at the time is apparent. Her descriptions often had me going “Wow”! For example, “They called to me like stray kittens mewing outside the door” and “both of my boots flapped open wide in front like frog mouths.”
This novel is about many things, including, finding oneself, honoring family, and doing the right thing. I was held in suspense, loved the unexpected plot twists, and was rooting for the characters. Everything comes together in a meaningful way at the end.
I think this should be required reading in schools and I can see this being made into a movie or TV series.
If you love strong female characters, historical fiction, adventure stories, and great writing—this book is for you!
This novel is about many things, including, finding oneself, honoring family, and doing the right thing. I was held in suspense, loved the unexpected plot twists, and was rooting for the characters. Everything comes together in a meaningful way at the end.
I think this should be required reading in schools and I can see this being made into a movie or TV series.
If you love strong female characters, historical fiction, adventure stories, and great writing—this book is for you!
November 20, 2023
Heart of Grit is an incredibly written story that follows several characters through their individual quests for growth. The character development creates a story that leaves you needing to know what happens next. I found myself truly feeling like I understood each character and the emotions they experienced.
It is very evident that Silvert did the research to do history justice in her story telling.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I read it in 4 days! Highly recommend if you’re looking for an amazing story line, with history woven through, giving you an adventure that is hard to put down!
It is very evident that Silvert did the research to do history justice in her story telling.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I read it in 4 days! Highly recommend if you’re looking for an amazing story line, with history woven through, giving you an adventure that is hard to put down!
July 10, 2024
Meh I know it’s YA. But eye rolling dialogue some very unlikely situations (no way did those disguises fool so many people) and the pony express featuring very very minimally. Easy to read tho. I enjoyed most of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2024
I loved this book! I completely fell in love with the loyal, resilient, determined, courageous, characters I got to know while reading. I’m left feeling inspired to go blaze my own trail. Definitely would recommended!
May 6, 2024
Heart of Grit was a fast moving story about two young people, Bea and Charlie, who race for the two spot to ride for the newly announced Pony Express. They both win but because Bea is a girl she’s not allowed to join up. The author has done a great amount of research and it shows as the story unfolds. Both Bea and Charlie have plenty of adventures as well as a brush with danger. I’d say this story is geared to middle grades but is enjoyable for adults as well. We chose this book for our book club, the author Shelli Sivert, graciously joined us in our discussion. It was a memorable evening.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews