Run from a scarecrow

by Irene Bennett Brown

In the 1800s, young Hank's dream of moving west and becoming a cowboy is hindered by his responsibilities to his family. But he makes friends with a mute boy who has a secret. And helps protect him from the scarecrow man that tracks them both down. Finally, with the scarecrow gone, Hank's friend surprises everyone by speaking – after years of silence – and then revealing his family secrets.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

I was born in Topeka, Kansas but from the age of nine, Oregon’s Willamette Valley has been home. As a child in one-room schools where I was often the only student in my class, I read, reread, and lived vicariously books like HEIDI, CADDIE WOODLAWN, MAMA’S BANK ACCOUNT, and LITTLE WOMEN. Jo in LITTLE WOMEN and Katrin in MAMA’S BANK ACCOUNT, writing away in their dusky attics, fueled my own dream to be a writer.

Author William Least Heat Moon is surely correct when he says “our passions at age 12 will always be with us and indicate our intended career.”

A writer who can’t not write, I pounded out my first seven books on a manual typewriter borrowed from a neighbor. Payoff for sore arms from throwing the carriage was national publication of my children’s books: in hardcover by Atheneum, E.P. Dutton, Thomas Nelson and David McKay, and in paperback book club editions by Viking Penguin, Scholastic, and Junior Literary Guild. Awards and honors include a Spur Award from Western Writers Of America and nomination for the Mark Twain Award for BEFORE THE LARK, the Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award for significant contribution to children’s literature, and inclusion on several best books’ lists.

THE PLAINSWOMAN, published originally by Ballantine, was my first novel for adults and a Western Writers Of America Spur Award finalist. Other novels include my Women Of Paragon Springs series from Five Star Cengage: LONG ROAD TURNING, BLUE HORIZONS, NO OTHER PLACE, and REAP THE SOUTH WIND. A love story set in Oregon’s Hells Canyon, HAVEN, a single title, was also published by Five Star. My historical novel, THE BARGAIN, was released by my own company, Riveredge Books, in 2007. WHERE GABLE SLEPT, the first book in my Celia Landrey mystery series, followed in 2010 and WHERE DANGER DANCED in 2012. All are now published by Riveredge Books and are also available as Kindle and Nook ebooks.

When not following my favorite pursuits, writing and reading, you’ll find me enjoying travel and exploring historic places with my husband, Bob, a retired research chemist, and spending time with our growing and busy family.

Reviews

[Abinaya Annadurai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read and I loved this. I felt like I was with Hank and his family throughout the story. Bigger, Mr.Mayfield, Zoe Vanna, Hank's sisters and parents everyone has my heart. I enjoyed every single character. Chaw Varber gave me chills. I liked the way Hank helped his family his wish to be a friend of Bigger and to be a cowboy. The author's description makes me fall in love with this awesome story. Overall, I loved this book and enjoyed the vibe.