A Small White Scar: A Chapter Book About Twin Brothers, Adventure, and Choosing Between Dreams and Duty for Kids

by K.A. Nuzum

Dreams always have a price Will can see his future stretch out before him. It's as clear as the plains that lead to La Junta and the first-place winnings at the rodeo. He will become a man, a cowboy with a life of his own. But his twin brother, Denny, follows, bringing with him the memory of that small white scar. Ahead lies adventure; behind, responsibility. And on the road between, Will and Denny will travel together—brothers united by blood.

Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Disability, Fiction, Middle Grade, Westerns

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Reza]

the main charter was denny he was a go for it all put everything on the line and go for it kind of guy he would sneek out and go to roderos with his little brother one of the main problems was his dad his dad wouldnt let him do the rodeos any more and he took his little brother and his little brother and him had to crose a river and his little brother almost didnt make it and almost died but his big brother was there to save him and denny was so pissed that he beat the crap out of hima dn when he couldnt move his arms any more he stop and relized what he had done denny ends up talking to his dad and resolves the problem between him his brother and his dad it takes place in like a wester type now in 210 thing and the kids ride horses

[Rjbailitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ron Bailitz 4/6/10 Period 8
Title: A Small White Scar
Author: K. A. Nuzum
Pages: 180
This book is about Will, who leaves his home to become a professional cowboy, but is followed by his brother.
Passage
Page 169-170
Paragragh 7-11
"You're brothers. You're twin brothers. The same blood runs through your veins. I believed you would love Denny in a way no one else would. I believed you would walk alongside of him, protect him, teach him. And you did. I never regretted the decision."
He never regretted the desicion. Anger welled up inside of me. It gushed up my throat and pushed a quick, harsh breath out of my mouth. There were thoughts and feelings and words rising like sulfur steam in in a geyser; for the first time I understood that Denny was not the problem. Denny was never the problem. It wasn't Denny who made the desicions of my life for me, it was my father. he had decided what my life would be a long time before, when I was only a couple days old.
"What about me? What aboout my life, the hope for my life? Who did you think would teach me the things I needed to know?" It was all out in the air now, spinninglike a twister, threatening both of us.
His answer stopped me cold; his answer sucked all the air out of the truck cab. His answer was a single word.
"Denny," he said.
Why I chose this Passage: I chose this passage because this was when Will finally reaalized that Denny was not the main problem for him. It was the turning point because Will began to love Denny more and appreciate him as a brother. It made them stronger as brothers too.

[Rachel Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this book when I picked it up, it's been a while since I read a western, especially one meant for young adults. But I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, especially how into the rodeo descriptions I got considering I'm not a rodeo fan. This book was exciting and moving.
Spoilers ahead

Will and Denny are 15-year-old twin brothers living on a ranch in rural Colorado in 1940. Denny has Downs Syndrome (it's described but never outright named in the narrative) and since their mother died, Will has become the main caretaker for his brother. Will loves his brother, but resents that his role in life has been chosen for him. His father doesn't recognize his cowboying talents and doesn't treat him like a man. Will sees a dead-end future, just taking care of Denny forever and never being recognized or seeing any more of the world. Denny is sweet and adores Will, he is too sensitive to let Will kill the coyote that killed their dog. Denny is easily scared and relies on his brother. The "small white scar" refers to identical cuts they have on their index finger from when they were 6, they press their fingers together as a sign that they are brothers forever. When Will's father changes his plans and needs to move part of the herd because of the drought that has hit their land, he tells Will that he can't go to the rodeo Will was planning on competing in. Will is outraged, that rodeo was going to be his ticket out - he was going to win it and then not come home, taking on work at one of the ranches that would be sure to want him. So he decides to run away and go anyway, the problem is that Denny follows him and won't go home. There are several dangerous circumstances that make it so he can't go, and he's getting sick from a rattle snake bite, so Will has to take him with him. They get to La Junta and Will gets him taken care of by the town doctor - their father's friend. They find out that their father will be there the next day - the day of the rodeo, but Will is still determined to compete and start his own life his way.
I thought this book did a decent job depicting someone with a disability in a way that was balanced and accurate. Through Will's perspective you could see how caring for his brother could be considered a burden and frustrating at times. Will was always having to stop or change what he was doing out of consideration for Denny. The town doctor is amazed at the progress that Denny has made, he is highly intelligent, capable, and able to follow conversation for someone with his condition (considering how much was known about it then). In fact, the dr reveals that when they were born, he advised their parents to institutionalize Denny immediately - this was common practice then, especially because of the shortened life span of people with his form of "feeblemindedness." The doctor credits Will with Denny's ability and asks how he did it, to which Will replies, "He's my brother." Will does well in the rodeo, winning 3 events, but it knocked out by the bull after a successful ride. He ties for the grandprize, but because of his concussion loses the rope off. He still wins a significant amount of $ as well as respect and a job offer from a rancher. But it's then that he realizes how much he loves his ranch. His dad comes and apologizes that he hasn't been willing to recognize that Will is a man now, and that he pulled away after their mother died and left the rearing of Denny to Will. He promises that he'll treat Will as a man and a good rancher if he'll come home and if Will isn't satisfied, he'll let him go to another ranch. Meanwhile, Doc Sidders offers to let Denny stay with him and have him help out. Denny is happy with that and excited that he too gets to be a man and make his own decisions. It ends on a hopeful note, with Will going home and recognizing the things that Denny has taught him, that he's the person he is because of the sweetness and difficulty of his twin brother. "The same blood runs through" them both and he's finally not afraid of that.

[Megan Wiarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum is a heartfelt story. Twin brothers Denny and Will take on the life of Cowboys. Denny has special needs and after their mother passed away Will has been given the responsibility to take care of Denny. As they grow up and opportunity pass by, Will feels like Denny is holding him back. Will decided to leave home and take on a new life in rodeos.
I would recommend this book to some people. This is a quick read but it is very powerful. When Will takes on the role of caregiver to less fortunate Denny he really steps up. Wil is appreciated greatly by Denny to the point where the only reason Denny can speak is because of him. The heartfelt moments come when Will finds out that his twin brother Denny was almost sent off to an institution as a child. He also learns that his devotion to Denny’s academic career helped him tremendously in the simple facts of being able to hold and understand a conversation. This book was very moving in terms of family sense and I would recommend to people I know.

[Tammy Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I have zero interest in rodeo and all things cowboy would be the understatement of the century, which made the beginning of this book painfully awful for me. Then, Denny was introduced, and Brother Will became so much more than a wannabe professional cowboy, and this book suddenly was about so much more than a rodeo.

Twin brothers Will and Denny have grown up living very different versions of the same life, and Will is desperate to escape the past that he thinks is trying to steal his future. A shared adventure, lasting only a few days, though, will help Denny and Will see each other differently, help each become a man, and help their family begin to heal. After a few u-turns, false starts, and detours, Will and Denny will both be set on the paths to their rightful futures.

This book perfectly displays the themes of growing up, accepting responsibility, and healing, so even if rodeo is not your cup of tea, you’ll love this feel-good brothers’ tale.

[Bailey Fouraker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a pretty short book and I read it in one sitting, but it's a heartfelt tale of two brothers living in Colorado in the 1940s. It felt a little more juvenile than YA, but older than middle-grade, some kind of middle ground in between, but there's nothing wrong with that. The main character is a hot-tempered fifteen-year-old named Will, and his twin brother, Denny, has Down Syndrome. Especially in the beginning of the book, he was very impatient towards Denny for his condition, and it was harder to feel sympathy for Will because of his unkindness towards his brother. Overall, it was a quick, interesting read and a nice western story for younger teenagers.

[Lilly Zinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt is wasn't a very good book. It constantly left me confused and I wondered what was going on. Although I finished it, the ending was pretty good. I was excited to see how Will did in the rodeo. But on the book I got from my 8th hour Lit and Comp class, the book didn't say Denny had Downs Syndrome. So my group thought he was acting like a 7 year old even if he was 14 (or 15). I do love the creativity of the scars but I felt maybe make is more dramatic? That really gets me interested in a story is drama.

[Cameron Hingtgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a awesome book! This taught me a lot about how life was back then. It also showed me true love when Will's brother was autistic and his Dad believed in him to raise him to be who he is. Also how he looked out for his brother on the way to the rodeo.

[Alexis Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. Reading the beginning was really sad. They lost their mother and Denny has Down syndrome. I feel like Will really didn’t want to be around Denny because he was different from him.

[Grace P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was a good fit book for me because I like to read about horses and things along those lines.

[Jim D'Ambrosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There doesn't seem to be much middle-grade fiction that takes place in Colorado, much less in the less-populated eastern portion of the state, much less in the mesa lands along the southern border.

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will wants to win first place at the La Junta rodeo – it’s the only ticket out of his father’s long term plans for him. He’s been a babysitter to his twin brother, Denny, for almost as long as he can remember. Denny is mentally handicapped, and although Will can do the work of a man on his father’s ranch (and feels that he should have the responsibility to prove himself), he’s always relegated to looking after Denny. When Will’s father tells him he’ll have to miss the rodeo so he can watch Denny, Will decides to run away. What he doesn’t count on is Denny’s following him.

Because of Denny’s presence, it’s a much harder journey than Will had anticipated. Denny gets bitten by a snake, they have to ford a raging river, and Will hits Denny in his frustration. Denny, of course, doesn’t understand Will’s anger, and Will’s afraid that their relationship won’t ever be the same. They make it to La Junta, and are able to stay with a friend of their father’s, Doc Sidder. Will does well at the rodeo, catching the eye of at least one rancher who offers to take him on as a hand. That’s when Will’s father shows up with a new proposition: a rancher’s job (one for a man) and a promise- no more babysitting. Denny is going to stay with Doc Sidder – to help out around the house and practice (and, presumably so the Doctor can study him, as he’s much more intelligent and capable than medical science had predicted he could be).

Will’s frustration with his brother is palpable throughout this story, and readers will be itching for Will to get his independence. And they won’t be disappointed, because he does get it – in a way. Everything wraps up a little too nicely in the end – Denny finding a place where he can be appreciated (how long is that going to last?), and Will getting the chance he wants to show his father that he’s a man. The resolution includes the possibility that Will will hire on as a cowboy for another rancher – but only if it doesn’t work out with his dad. I’m not sure which is more satisfying. I was rather hoping that Will would strike out on his own at the end, but I guess that’s another story for another time.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family and I listened to this one on audio tape - each time we got into the car Ashton would request it be turned on. It is about twin brothers, Will and Dennie. They are together since birth, and both act as teachers for one another. Dennie - has downs syndrom, I think, and he teaches Will patience and love. When Will is 16 he decides it is time to show his Father and everyone else that he is a man and not a boy, by competing and winning at the rodeo a couple of days journey from their farm. Only during this attempt escape his perceived role as 'nurse-maid' does he grow to learn what it really means to be grown-up. Denni actually follows his brother and together they prevail through a snake bite, and a raging river. Will is able to see his life and experience helping Dennie in a new and incredible light during this experience and realizes how important and significant his efforts with Dennie have been. Will helped Dennie to speak, do jobs like collect eggs and sweep the porch, and in truth helped to created a meaningful life for him - this at a time when the doctors encouraged, and many families simply put these children in institutions persuming that they didn't have the capacity to do any of the things Dennie had learned to do. We really enjoyed this together. It brought up lots of things for us to talk about like what it means to care for a sibling, the struggles that it sometimes is to make the right decisions, families, love, mental handicaps, and growing up. There were lots of exciting adventures, scarey moments where I would pause and ask if they were all ok to continue on - Ashton would nod, his eyes bugged out or mouth gapping open, scared at what would happen next or discusted that one of the charaters would do something so mean. It is a great story and I would highly recommend it for a good family read.

[Dsduszynski]

20 Word summery; This book is about twins Will and Denny, Will has big dreams of ranching but Denny's problems hold him back.
Passage; In the dream, it was me and Denny out riding. When we reined in we were far out on the prairie. It was late in the day and the weather had settled in so I couln't even see the mesa. No rock ourcroppings. No junipers, no pinon pine. There was only Denny and me. I turned to remind Denny to keep the reins loose when he jumped down so he would not tug on Scooty's mouth. His arms were so short, so he always ended up yanking on the reins when he got off, and that made Scooty back up, and Denny would get his foot stuck in the stirrup and have to hop backward to keep up with her. Half the time he ended up on the ground, scarped and bruised.
But when I turned, Denny was already down and waiting on me. He had changed. His face wasn't all slack anymore, his eyes weren't small and slandted, and he looked just like me, instead of like cartoon drawing of me.

I chose this passage because it shows how much Will wanted Denny to be normal. I think he also wants this to not only allow him to be alone and not have to take care of him but for Denny. That Denny will have a normal life.

[Jonnyman yay! · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book is called “A Small White Scar” by K.A. Nuzum. The genre of this book is a disability awareness novel. The characters try to go to a rodeo in La Junta and go on adventures. It is about two twin brothers who help each other along on a journey to a rodeo that one brother is very interested in. The brother’s name is Will. The other brother, Denny, has Down syndrome and always comes along wherever Will goes. While Will is trying to go to the rodeo to try to get first place winnings, Denny really wants to come along with him. Will really doesn’t want to let Denny come because it will be more of a slept for Will, but whenever Will tries to have Denny go back home, Denny leaves for a while but then comes back to Will, and finally Will lets Denny come along.
Will also remembers that his father always said, “Take care of your brother. Don’t let him down.” Will remembered that sentence that his father told him and let Denny come along with him. This book is about brotherly love and how two twin brothers help each other out.I liked this book, because The two brothers work together to finally get the mission done. A person who would like a book about teamwork and brotherly love. Finally, I would give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Small White Scar starts off slow with much teenage whining, bitterness, selfishness, and typical 15-year-old self-pity. As Will sets off to find his future at the rodeo, he leaves his twin brother, Denny far behind. Will felt the drag of Denny's condition, Down Syndrome, for more years than he cares to think about. Now his mother is dead and Will's father expects Will to be nursemaid and caregiver for Denny. But Will has dreams of becoming a man, earning a living, and living his days on a ranch where his true talents are appreciated. When Will's body is bruised and battered at the rodeo, who steps up and cares for him and gives him a reason to get up and do it all again? None other than his blood brother, Denny, whose encouragement and pride is constant and predictable.

This is not my favorite Rebecca Caudill nominee for 2010 because of its background setting. I am not a fan of rodeos, bulldogging, calf roping, and bull riding, but any reader who likes these events will certainly enjoy this story about the rugged life of a cowboy and the steps it takes to be a man.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since Will's mom died, Will's been the one to look out for his feeble-minded twin brother Denny, but at fifteen Will has had enough. He's leaving his dad's ranch. He's leaving Denny behind. He's going to La Junta by himself and he's going to win first place at the rodeo and get a job with another ranch. He's going to start his own life. Finally. But when Will leaves for the rodeo, Denny tags along. And Denny gets in trouble. And Will has to save him. Again. How can Will hope to have his own life if he's constantly stuck with Denny?

Set in Colorado in 1940, this is a great western adventure story complete with roaring rivers, rattlesnakes, bull riding, and more. Will's a conflicted main character - trapped between finding his own happiness and fulfilling his familial responsibility. It's not an easy place to be and Will doesn't have an easy time of it. I'd hand this to kids who like adventures and westerns.

Full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. YA. Will is 15-years-old, nearly 16. His cowboy skills are excellent. He is ready to be a man. But if he stays at the ranch he can't. His father has him constantly play "nursemaid" for his twin brother Denny who has Down's Syndrome. The big rodeo, for which Will has spent a year saving money for, is coming up very soon and Will is hoping not only to win every event and the Overall Prize purse but to use the rodeo as the opportunity to escape the ranch and Denny and, finally, begin living his own life. Hitch number one: his father reneges on his promise and refuses to let Will go. Hitch number two: when he leaves anyway, Denny follows him. Pretty decent story about the frustrations involved caring for a person with disabilities and not being able to prove yourself when you know you can do it. The very complicated feelings someone must have when the person you believe is holding you back is also your beloved twin brother.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrated by Steven Boyer. 1920s. Will is 15 years old and looking forward to a future as a rodeo star. But he feels stifled by his responsibility to look after his twin brother Denny who is mentally disabled. Will has always been Denny's protector but as he's grown older, he wants to spread his wings and be free of his father's demands and Denny's needs. Will defies his father and takes off at night for a nearby rodeo, determined to participate and get hired by a ranch. But Denny tracks him down. A near miss with a flash flood and a rattlesnake that bites Denny forces Will to seek help from a doctor who knows his father. Will does well at the rodeo but suffers a concussion. His father realizes what Will needs and offers him more decision-making responsibility at the ranch. Meanwhile, Denny has
found his own independence, staying with the doctor to do tasks and
cleaning.

[RachelAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The year is 1940. Since 15 year-old Will's mother died before his eyes seven years ago, he's been teacher, nursemaid and constant companion to his twin brother, who has Down's Syndrome. Despite his impressive skills, Will's convinced his father will never let him do "a man's work" or anything other than babysit his brother, unless Will forces the issue by signing on to work someone else's ranch after winning big at the rodeo. Forbidden to enter the rodeo when drought forces the father to shift their cattle to rented pasture, Will leaves anyway. Much to his chagrin, though, his . Desperate to start life on his own terms, Will runs away-Yup, it's another cheery selection by my friends at the Caudill Committee.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short tale of teenage twin brothers who have grown up on a ranch together in Colorado. Will has practically raised Denny, who has Downs Syndrome, and now he's ready to strike out on his own to make a living as a cowboy. He heads off on a five-day trip to the rodeo, and Denny follows. They encounter a rattlesnake, rough terrain, and flash flood along the way. There are inaccuracies in some of the details (for instance: rattlesnakes strike with only half their body length, NOT the full length) but the brothers relationship and Denny's disabilities are sensitively handled, the action sequence are exciting, and there are so few good westerns out there (especially for teens) that I'm willing to forgive it.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in the 1940′s Colorado countryside, fifteen year old Will can not wait to become a man. He’s fed up with being nursemaid and babysitter to his twin brother Denny, who has down syndrome. What he really wants to do is help his father run the ranch. But his father doesn’t see that Will has become a man who can do man’s work. Will can rope and ride better than most and he can’t wait to prove his skills at the local rodeo. Will has a plan that will take him away from the ranch, away from his father, and away from Denny. Only problem, Denny follows when Will runs away. Nuzum gives us an insightful look into the thoughts of a teen dealing with a disabled sibling. The story moves at a steady pace with wonderful imagery of the open west.

[Additeenlibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical, young adult fiction. Will wants to get off of his father's ranch in Colorado and strike out to become a man in his own right. The path starts with the rodeo in La Junta -- he can win some money and find another ranch to hire him on as a skilled hand. He's tired of his father expecting him to play nursemaid to his twin brother and not trusting him to help make decisions around the ranch. But what kind of a man has to sneak off in the middle of the night and abandon his twin who counts on him?

A young man coming of age and trying to do the right thing in a setting that we don't come across too often. This book is a quick read with an action-laden plot.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nuzums book A Small White Scar was an adventerous book. This book was about two boys and their responsibilities that their dad held them responsible for on the ranch. The boys were twins and one had Down Syndrome, the other was held accountable for taking care of him. Will is torn between caring for his brother and seeking his dream. THis book would appeal to any western boy, or someone out looking for an adverure story. I liked this book it meant a lot to me because I could relate to having a family member with Down Syndrome.

Grades 6th-8th

L.A ~ Talk about dreams and how you can reach those dreams in life.

[Bmack · Rating 3 out of 5]

2010 Rebecca Caudill nominee. This is a coming of age story about a young boy named Will who wants to win a rodeo competition but is held back as he cares for his twin brother who is disabled. He has a lot of bitterness against his father who will only let him watch his brother instead of helping on the ranch. His mother died when they were younger and his father is still struggling with her being gone. Will decides to run away to fulfill his dream of winning a rodeo when his brother Denny follows him. It is a good book adventure story what reveals the wisdom in his father’s choices later in the story.

[Samantha Worthing]

Multicultural book entry #3 (intermediate)

Bloom's taxonomy:
Remembering: What happened to Will and Denny's mother?

Understanding: Describe the differences between Will and Denny.

Applying: What do you think would have resulted if Will would have stayed with his family instead of running away?

Analyzing: How would you compare Will's relationship to his brother before and after he runs away to be in the rodeo?

Evaluating: What feelings did you have when Will and Denny were out on their own?

Creating: What did you predict would happen when Will was riding in the rodeo? How did the story end differently than you thought?

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the look of the cover, you think this book would be boring. But it was a pretty good book. It is a brother/brother story. Will and Denny are twin brothers in the early 1900s. Denny must have a mental illness and it is Will's job to take care of Denny. Will has decided that he is going to join the rodeo and earn some money against his fathers wishes. So Will leaves and guess who follows him? Denny. Their adventure begins there.

I think 5th grade and up will enjoy this book once they get past the cover. THe honestly need to redo the cover.

[Susan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I almost stopped reading this after a few pages, but decided to press forward. I'm glad I did. I suppose our life's experiences color the books we read. Because I have special needs kids I looked at this from a different angle than many would. This is the story of twin brothers, one of whom has (I assume) Down's Syndrome. Will wants to escape the ranch and along with it the responsibility of caring for Denny. As he runs away, with dreams of glory, he can't escape Denny. By the end of the book, Will has learned a lot, but I think we see growth in Denny, too.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a random, grab off the shelf book which usually leads to disappointment for me, but this was a surprisingly good read. It's a story about a young man who has a handicapped twin. It's more about the young man's journey to learn what means to be a man set amidst a dusty, working ranch and a high-action rodeo. I enjoyed the different way of life depicted as well as the poignant message. I actually listened to this as an audio book and it was quite well-performed.

[Amy Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small White Scar was pretty slow for me at the beginning--I've never been into cowboys or anything having to do with life on a ranch. However, about halfway through the book I realized that it had really grown on me. This book brings up real issues that some kids have to deal with, and asks questions about the difference between doing "the right thing" and following your heart. A good book for discussions with kids.