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One Shot
A powerful and deeply moving coming-of-age drama from Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman, inspired by the life of infamous sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
After the death of her beloved father, Maggie and her family are thrown into a life of destitution. With little income and no way to live off their poor land, Maggie tries to provide for her family the way her father always had – with his hunting rifle and whatever animals the forest would provide. But when her mother is confronted with her 'unladylike' behaviour, she abandons Maggie to a life of unthinkable cruelty and abuse. With no one to care for her and only the hope of escape, all Maggie can do is survive.
A profoundly intimate and masterful reimagining of one woman’s fight for survival.
After the death of her beloved father, Maggie and her family are thrown into a life of destitution. With little income and no way to live off their poor land, Maggie tries to provide for her family the way her father always had – with his hunting rifle and whatever animals the forest would provide. But when her mother is confronted with her 'unladylike' behaviour, she abandons Maggie to a life of unthinkable cruelty and abuse. With no one to care for her and only the hope of escape, all Maggie can do is survive.
A profoundly intimate and masterful reimagining of one woman’s fight for survival.
120 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2019
5 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Landman
85 books91 followersCarnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults.
Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."
Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.
Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.
Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.
Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."
Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.
Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.
Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 30, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and prose of Tanya Landman. The world building was immersive, and emotions of hard hitting situations were handled delicately without losing their impact.
The descriptions were so effective, for example, 'Pa was a quiet man. Say 'quiet' to some folks and they think meek. Mild. Timid. Pa was none of those things. He didn't waste breath on words, but when he did speak, every last syllable was worth hearing.' This was on the first page and I knew exactly the type of man her father was.
This is a story of fiction that was inspired by the life of the famous shooter and star of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Annie Oakley.
The descriptions were so effective, for example, 'Pa was a quiet man. Say 'quiet' to some folks and they think meek. Mild. Timid. Pa was none of those things. He didn't waste breath on words, but when he did speak, every last syllable was worth hearing.' This was on the first page and I knew exactly the type of man her father was.
This is a story of fiction that was inspired by the life of the famous shooter and star of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Annie Oakley.
April 14, 2019
A fabulous well-rounded story for such a short novel, I devoured this engrossing based-on-a-true-story read in just a couple of hours.
April 14, 2019
Fictionalised teenage 'Annie Get Your Gun' background story.
Whether the story of Annie Oakley is a familiar one or not, this is a fascinating historical narrative, a female sharpshooter's young life in a brutal time.
Maggie loves her father, they are close, unlike Maggie and her mother. Losing his sends the already poor family into near-destitute conditions, and young Maggie faces the choice of letting her siblings starve or giving up her 'dignity' and using her rather exceptional shooting skills to provide.
The story doesn't shy away from some very dark and sometimes violent subject matter. Maggie leaves the family home, sent away to more than one alternative, where some less-than-savoury adults take charge of her. The writing conveys her pain eloquently, often without resorting to unnecessary detail.
In just over 100 pages, Maggie's story of an unhappy childhood and adolescence takes several turns, takes us through various emotions, and eventually leads (if you know Annie Get Your Gun) to a familiar scenario of a shooting competition.
A very evocative historical piece, a real-seeming protagonist, a glimpse into a strong female figure that might encourage future research.
Whether the story of Annie Oakley is a familiar one or not, this is a fascinating historical narrative, a female sharpshooter's young life in a brutal time.
Maggie loves her father, they are close, unlike Maggie and her mother. Losing his sends the already poor family into near-destitute conditions, and young Maggie faces the choice of letting her siblings starve or giving up her 'dignity' and using her rather exceptional shooting skills to provide.
The story doesn't shy away from some very dark and sometimes violent subject matter. Maggie leaves the family home, sent away to more than one alternative, where some less-than-savoury adults take charge of her. The writing conveys her pain eloquently, often without resorting to unnecessary detail.
In just over 100 pages, Maggie's story of an unhappy childhood and adolescence takes several turns, takes us through various emotions, and eventually leads (if you know Annie Get Your Gun) to a familiar scenario of a shooting competition.
A very evocative historical piece, a real-seeming protagonist, a glimpse into a strong female figure that might encourage future research.
October 23, 2024
I felt quite sorry for poor Maggie, and her mother was such a bitch!
October 29, 2019
A seemingly simple Cinderella type story set in the time of the Wild West with some heavy themes and surprising twists. I really enjoyed the turns this book took me down and the amount of second guessing I had to do... but that ending! I'm so sick and tired of endings that make me want to throw the book against a wall!
The story was good, the progression perfect, the characters easy to like and empathise with... BUT THAT ENDING!
Along the journey of the story I must have gone through every emotion from love to pity to hatred to anger to glee and then back to anger again. I would definitely recommend as a story for teens rather than older children:
CW: ~ as the story does contain some implied sexual assault and abuse, though no explicitly described scenes ~
The particular copy that I picked up was designed specifically to assist those with dyslexia or who find reading a challenge. I have come to realise I actually greatly appreciate this kind of layout even though I do not have any kind of reading challenges, and am happy to find so many readily available and accessible copies in my local library.
The story was good, the progression perfect, the characters easy to like and empathise with... BUT THAT ENDING!
Along the journey of the story I must have gone through every emotion from love to pity to hatred to anger to glee and then back to anger again. I would definitely recommend as a story for teens rather than older children:
CW: ~ as the story does contain some implied sexual assault and abuse, though no explicitly described scenes ~
The particular copy that I picked up was designed specifically to assist those with dyslexia or who find reading a challenge. I have come to realise I actually greatly appreciate this kind of layout even though I do not have any kind of reading challenges, and am happy to find so many readily available and accessible copies in my local library.
November 13, 2024
tears did shed. this took my emotions and put them through a rollercoaster i was unprepared for. the hope, the despair, the hurt i felt through the short chapters and straight forward pages… i cried. i read this in one setting and did not want to put the book down, i thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the ease that came through reading it… though i wish i could read on and on about maggie’s life… i wouldn’t change a single thing about it. but this book could have been 500 pages and i would’ve read it with just as much enjoyment. this was so raw, so true, so heartbreaking to me.
AND IT WAS INSPIRED BY A REAL WOMAN.
i almost didn’t pick it up from the library, almost put it down and brought home another fantasy, but i wanted to try something new. and im beyond grateful i did, because this may have just changed my life.
AND IT WAS INSPIRED BY A REAL WOMAN.
i almost didn’t pick it up from the library, almost put it down and brought home another fantasy, but i wanted to try something new. and im beyond grateful i did, because this may have just changed my life.
November 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this short fast-paced, moving story. The novel was inspired by the Annie Oakley story of a young girl fighting to survive and support her family in abject poverty.
Maggie’s mother was overwhelmed by poverty, dirt and young children by the time Maggie arrived, and it was her father who took care of her and taught he to hunt. When he died unexpectedly, she used his gun to bring home food. Her mother was scandalised and took her to the local infirmary. Maggie’s life of hardship worsened, and it was years before she could escape and set herself on a better path.
Recommended for readers 13 years and older.
Maggie’s mother was overwhelmed by poverty, dirt and young children by the time Maggie arrived, and it was her father who took care of her and taught he to hunt. When he died unexpectedly, she used his gun to bring home food. Her mother was scandalised and took her to the local infirmary. Maggie’s life of hardship worsened, and it was years before she could escape and set herself on a better path.
Recommended for readers 13 years and older.
June 23, 2021
A very quick read at just over 100 pages, this fictionalised account of Annie Oakley's early years brings the hardship of her childhood vividly to life. It's shelved in the 'quick reads' section of my school library and would be ideal for the Young Adult age group who are looking for a short and accessible read (dyslexia friendly, short chapters, fast paced).
November 28, 2018
A lovely origin story for an earthbound superhero a lot of girls will find it very easy to look up to. Boys too will find this inherently readable.
For my full review please click through to :-
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
For my full review please click through to :-
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
December 16, 2018
A quick, easy read, and immensely enjoyable. Tanya Landman deals with some very dark moments of abuse and neglect in the story, but it is a largely uplifting story of resilience, individuality and self-respect.
January 22, 2020
I recently chose to read this book with my high school students at school. I loved it and the kids are enjoying it so far. It's written at a great independent reading level for my students in grades 9-11.
July 3, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book although I wish I hadn’t read that it was based off of a true story because that is incredibly heartbreaking 💔 Easy read , glad there was a happy ending for such a horrific childhood .
April 30, 2023
Man, Annie Oakley is the coolest person to ever walk the earth. This book really made me want to read more about her. I love that it's a nice short book in dyslexia-friendly font written for teens. There's a real need for more of this kind of book.
December 15, 2018
An uplifting tale. Very enjoyable.
April 11, 2019
Truly excellent, couldn't put it down, glad I didn't need to!
January 15, 2020
Love. Love. Love.
I just wish it'd been longer!
I just wish it'd been longer!
June 3, 2020
This book is very quick to read. I couldn't put it down!
The main character looses her father when she is only 8 years old. This is a fast paced book which has scenes of violence.
The main character looses her father when she is only 8 years old. This is a fast paced book which has scenes of violence.
February 23, 2022
Amazing story and i can't belive that she actually got out of that situation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2022
amazing book would deffo read again
November 17, 2022
Note: This book contains depictions of sexual assault on a minor.
May 19, 2023
Quite boring so changed it near the end
May 15, 2020
I bought this in an amazon kindle sale where the book was 99p!
I was so amazed how much i loved this book. It was a short, quick read and i loved every second.
I was so amazed how much i loved this book. It was a short, quick read and i loved every second.
April 5, 2020
When I discovered that One Shot was available to review I was really excited because I had never read a story like this and based around this before and wanted to see what I thought. For such a short book it really packs a punch and I had a great time reading it.
Even though I read an early copy before I get into the actual review can we just talk about that cover? I mean even though the plot definitely sounded interesting to me I was really attracted to just how gorgeous the cover is. It is definitely a must for your bookshelves, literally for you to look at but also because it's a really great book!
I think that one of the reasons that I loved the book was the centre on Annie Oakley. Although not the full true story of Annie Oakley, I do think that the way that the book handles her life is done great and goes against the grain of how women lived in the past. As someone who also doesn't read historical fiction, it gripped me and entertained me so much for such a short book. I mean she literally goes against her family to be the person that she wants to be which in itself is quite special and powerful to write about and explore.
The way that her family was also dealt with was something that I liked too. I mean her family especially her Mum is not the best in the world but I liked the exploration with her Dad and going back to the past. I think it is also interesting when a character has this connection to a family member who is no longer there as it provides so much growth for the character. The relationship between her and her father was very powerful and a message that was carried through the story.
One Shot made me captivated and engaged throughout and made me want to find out more about Annie Oakley which is always a good thing. It also left on an open ending which I enjoyed and made me interested to know more.
The Verdict:
One Shot is a powerful and punchy read that leaves a lasting impact for anyone who wants to read it.
Even though I read an early copy before I get into the actual review can we just talk about that cover? I mean even though the plot definitely sounded interesting to me I was really attracted to just how gorgeous the cover is. It is definitely a must for your bookshelves, literally for you to look at but also because it's a really great book!
I think that one of the reasons that I loved the book was the centre on Annie Oakley. Although not the full true story of Annie Oakley, I do think that the way that the book handles her life is done great and goes against the grain of how women lived in the past. As someone who also doesn't read historical fiction, it gripped me and entertained me so much for such a short book. I mean she literally goes against her family to be the person that she wants to be which in itself is quite special and powerful to write about and explore.
The way that her family was also dealt with was something that I liked too. I mean her family especially her Mum is not the best in the world but I liked the exploration with her Dad and going back to the past. I think it is also interesting when a character has this connection to a family member who is no longer there as it provides so much growth for the character. The relationship between her and her father was very powerful and a message that was carried through the story.
One Shot made me captivated and engaged throughout and made me want to find out more about Annie Oakley which is always a good thing. It also left on an open ending which I enjoyed and made me interested to know more.
The Verdict:
One Shot is a powerful and punchy read that leaves a lasting impact for anyone who wants to read it.
February 1, 2025
Veldig bra historie! Høyt tempo, men jeg syns det funka bra. Slutten var skikkelig søt og veldig fortjent for hovedkarakteren. Leste hele boken i en omgang på litt over en time!
September 9, 2020
3.75 stars
I wasn't expecting this to be so dark, the first swear words took me by surprise! There is a mix of beautiful and complex relationships between Maggie and her father and her mother. I admired the connection she had with her father and Maggie's endless struggle to try and please her mother. The writing style is wonderfully descriptive. There were brutally emotional moments and heart wrenching situations that weren't graphic but still hurt me and left a big impact. It was hard but great to see Maggie's growth throughout the novel, from her difficult childhood into adolescence and seeing her talent for shooting thrive. This was a short novel that really packed a punch and also a little dip into the wild west genre and I'd highly recommend it for teen readers.
I wasn't expecting this to be so dark, the first swear words took me by surprise! There is a mix of beautiful and complex relationships between Maggie and her father and her mother. I admired the connection she had with her father and Maggie's endless struggle to try and please her mother. The writing style is wonderfully descriptive. There were brutally emotional moments and heart wrenching situations that weren't graphic but still hurt me and left a big impact. It was hard but great to see Maggie's growth throughout the novel, from her difficult childhood into adolescence and seeing her talent for shooting thrive. This was a short novel that really packed a punch and also a little dip into the wild west genre and I'd highly recommend it for teen readers.
January 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this book it was full of history allowing you to really connect and understand what might of happened in that era.
March 21, 2024
LOVED IT
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews