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Bull Rider
All it takes is eight seconds....
Cam O'Mara, grandson and younger brother of bull- riding champions, is not interested in partaking in the family sport. Cam is a skateboarder, and perfecting his tricks -- frontside flips, 360s -- means everything until his older brother, Ben, comes home from Iraq, paralyzed from a brain injury.
What would make a skateboarder take a different kind of ride? And what would get him on a monstrosity of a bull named Ugly? If Cam can stay on for the requisite eight seconds, will the $15,000 prize bring hope and a future for his big brother?
Cam O'Mara, grandson and younger brother of bull- riding champions, is not interested in partaking in the family sport. Cam is a skateboarder, and perfecting his tricks -- frontside flips, 360s -- means everything until his older brother, Ben, comes home from Iraq, paralyzed from a brain injury.
What would make a skateboarder take a different kind of ride? And what would get him on a monstrosity of a bull named Ugly? If Cam can stay on for the requisite eight seconds, will the $15,000 prize bring hope and a future for his big brother?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2009
44 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Morgan Williams
16 books9 followersSuzanne Morgan Williams is author of Bull Rider, a new novel for kids aged 10 and up, and many non-fiction books for children. Bull Rider is a Junior Library Guild Selection and represented Nevada at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. It is the story of a 14 year old Nevada ranch kid who, when his champion bull rider brother comes home from the war in Iraq with life changing injuries, turns from skateboarding to family, tradition, and bull riding to make sense of his world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
June 17, 2012
Fabulous book. Fabulous topic. Daring exploration of human condition. An extremely well-written, heart-tugging tale. Smiles.
January 15, 2010
When you've read a lot of YA, it can be hard to review a book like "Bull Rider." Some kids will really like this one. The rural setting, the skateboarding, and the consequences of war will go over well with a certain type of reader. The language and content is squeaky clean, yet the conflicts are real and effective, so middle school or high school readers could get something out of it. Our narrator's voice is clear and honest. As a resident of Nevada, I really appreciated Williams' attention to local details.
And yet, it is only so-so as a story. There's a clunky supernatural grace note attached to the end. The tension of the wounded soldier never gets traction. The secondary characters were thin, and I found it easy to put the book down. It isn't bad, but just workman like. "Bull Rider" isn't at the top of the action category, or at the top of the family drama category, or the rural genre, and even as war stories go, it doesn't distinguish itself. I suppose that 'good' should be good enough, but I yawned once too often while reading.
Still, I'll offer it to readers who may appreciate its virtues and who's expectations aren't as high.
And yet, it is only so-so as a story. There's a clunky supernatural grace note attached to the end. The tension of the wounded soldier never gets traction. The secondary characters were thin, and I found it easy to put the book down. It isn't bad, but just workman like. "Bull Rider" isn't at the top of the action category, or at the top of the family drama category, or the rural genre, and even as war stories go, it doesn't distinguish itself. I suppose that 'good' should be good enough, but I yawned once too often while reading.
Still, I'll offer it to readers who may appreciate its virtues and who's expectations aren't as high.
November 4, 2014
I read the book Bull Rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams. This book is about the family O'Mara, which has three championship bull riders: Cam’s brother, his Dad, his Grandpa, his mom, and his little sister and then theres Cam. Cam doesn’t ride bull, he likes to ride skateboard. His brother goes to Iraq to help fight in the war. But something goes very wrong when he over there. Ben gets hit by a bolt in the head and has bad head injuries. So Cam is thinking about ride the bull, Ugly, and if he can for eight second to win $15,000 so his brother can get the resources he needs.
The main character is Cam. He is still in school. He is a skateboard rider, he likes doing treats and stuff. Over the book Cam does have to grow up some and to help his brother and family.
I would rate this book as a 5 star book. I gave it this rating because it was about stuff that I like and that I live on everyday. I think this book would be good for 12 and up. This book would be good for both girls and boys. Also people that live in the country or like being in the country would like this book more than people that live in the city. I think this because it is more base in the country, on the ranch.
The main character is Cam. He is still in school. He is a skateboard rider, he likes doing treats and stuff. Over the book Cam does have to grow up some and to help his brother and family.
I would rate this book as a 5 star book. I gave it this rating because it was about stuff that I like and that I live on everyday. I think this book would be good for 12 and up. This book would be good for both girls and boys. Also people that live in the country or like being in the country would like this book more than people that live in the city. I think this because it is more base in the country, on the ranch.
August 4, 2009
This book introduces me to Bull Riding. Same as Cam, I also first thought that only crazy adrenaline junkie will do this kind of sport. I realy love the details about bull riding, ranch living, cowboy, and also war through the yes of ordinary people. We saw war news everyday on TV. It seems faraway and disconnected with our life. Sometimes it's also easy to just point finger at USA to blame for meddling and starting the Iraq war....However when you become a witness, soldier or the family of the soldiers, war becomes more complex and just plain sad. We seldom see the after effect of that news. The loss, the struggle, the disability, the cost that the soldiers and the family have to shoulder. I relate with Cam in his confusion and anger about war. I can't imagine how much Cam's brother had to feel to be returned from war paralyzed and brain injured. This book give me a glimpse of the reality of war.
Writing wise, this book's great. When you read it, it feels like you are transported into the story. The pace is good and it feels real.
Writing wise, this book's great. When you read it, it feels like you are transported into the story. The pace is good and it feels real.
October 10, 2016
This book was not based on a true story but it was a great book in my opinion. The author can mostly explain some details of the book but has good info.
I am not going to really spoil the book but I will try my best to not. The book mostly tells of how someone can change from one hobby to a hobby that you're way better at. A boy who is skateboarder goes into an accident which mostly he can not skateboard no more goes to bull riding into being a champion. This book in the beginning starts getting boring but as you get into the book it gets pretty interesting. This book can be a motivation book from starting from the bottom to being one of the best.
I am not going to really spoil the book but I will try my best to not. The book mostly tells of how someone can change from one hobby to a hobby that you're way better at. A boy who is skateboarder goes into an accident which mostly he can not skateboard no more goes to bull riding into being a champion. This book in the beginning starts getting boring but as you get into the book it gets pretty interesting. This book can be a motivation book from starting from the bottom to being one of the best.
October 24, 2011
For ages 10-14, though I believe this is a book that will be appreciated by many adults. Paradoxically this is a book full of teenage action (from skateboarding to the bull ring) and yet it is a book that makes you want to pause frequently and listen to the deeper message. It opens up the small-town world and the relationship of two Nevada brothers. Cam, the adolescent skateboarder, has always left the family bull-riding tradition to others braver or more foolish than he, and Ben, a marine, returns from Iraq, an amputee with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I appreciate that this book does not make a comment on war, but it does a sincere job in honoring the sacrifice of both the soldiers and their families. This family is real, quirky, committed and believable. The emotional ride is varied, with Cam in particular facing internalized feelings of love, anger, annoyance and fear for his brother. Williams draws us to a place of real empathy for the entire family, but especially for Cam and his willingness to face the regional terror of the bull ring, Ugly, for the sake of his brother.
Williams is a gifted storyteller and weaves action and reflection with ease. The reader enters willingly the world of modern, rural, western US life. I, who know nothing of this sport, now have a gritty glimpse into those eight seconds on the beast’s back, worthy of a lifetime of community honor! One of the strengths of this story is also a really well fleshed-out cast of supporting actors (Grandma Jean is a riot), who point always to Cam and his central role, and yet add humor and depth to this family, being emotionally, relationally and financially challenged by war. Salt Lick is most definitely a community we feel part of for the duration of this story.
Williams also sows some touching, fantastical moments into the novel, that you will probably only recognize as you read the lovely, magical turn at the end. This is an authentic and poignant action story that is a great and easy read for boys (and girls). I imagine it is also a welcome addition to books that can be part of the healing for military families. I look forward to further novels fro this author.
Williams is a gifted storyteller and weaves action and reflection with ease. The reader enters willingly the world of modern, rural, western US life. I, who know nothing of this sport, now have a gritty glimpse into those eight seconds on the beast’s back, worthy of a lifetime of community honor! One of the strengths of this story is also a really well fleshed-out cast of supporting actors (Grandma Jean is a riot), who point always to Cam and his central role, and yet add humor and depth to this family, being emotionally, relationally and financially challenged by war. Salt Lick is most definitely a community we feel part of for the duration of this story.
Williams also sows some touching, fantastical moments into the novel, that you will probably only recognize as you read the lovely, magical turn at the end. This is an authentic and poignant action story that is a great and easy read for boys (and girls). I imagine it is also a welcome addition to books that can be part of the healing for military families. I look forward to further novels fro this author.
May 5, 2009
Skateboarding is Cam’s passion; on the other hand, bull riding is his family’s passion (well, everyone except his mom). Cam’s grandpa, father, and older brother have all won awards for their bull riding abilities, but Cam wants nothing to do with it…that is, until his brother Ben returns from the Iraq war with a severe head injury and an amputated arm, no longer able to ride a bull.
Ben’s recovery is slow-going but the family tries to keep a positive attitude. However, as Ben’s progress slows, Ben begins to lose hope that he’ll ever be able to walk and talk normally again. When Cam sees his brother succumbing to despair, he makes a deal with him: Cam will ride Ugly, the biggest and meanest bull around, if Ben will just keep trying to get better. But does Cam have any idea of what he’s getting into?
This is a great book about the strength of family and it provides a realistic look at what families of American soldiers go through when their loved one is deployed—and then injured—in a war. There are some good skateboarding and bull riding scenes, but they don’t completely take over the story; readers who don’t particularly care for one or both of those sports won’t be bored with this book. Readers will surely find themselves pulled into the story from the beginning.
Ben’s recovery is slow-going but the family tries to keep a positive attitude. However, as Ben’s progress slows, Ben begins to lose hope that he’ll ever be able to walk and talk normally again. When Cam sees his brother succumbing to despair, he makes a deal with him: Cam will ride Ugly, the biggest and meanest bull around, if Ben will just keep trying to get better. But does Cam have any idea of what he’s getting into?
This is a great book about the strength of family and it provides a realistic look at what families of American soldiers go through when their loved one is deployed—and then injured—in a war. There are some good skateboarding and bull riding scenes, but they don’t completely take over the story; readers who don’t particularly care for one or both of those sports won’t be bored with this book. Readers will surely find themselves pulled into the story from the beginning.
February 10, 2014
Cam O'Mara, grandson and younger brother of bull riding champions, is not interested in carrying out the family name in bull riding. He is rather more interested in skateboarding and perfecting his tricks. But all of that will change when his older brother Ben decides to trade in his cowboy hat for a helmet and a rifle and goes to war.
Cam gets terrible news about Ben and he is coming home from the war early. Cam believes that Ben is not hurt too bad and he will be fine and soon hopes to see his brother on his feet. But when Ben comes back home, Cam is in shock. Ben is paralyzed from a brain injury, he has a dent in his head and he is also missing his hand. Ben will never bull ride again, Cam must step up and bull ride to win the $15,000 so he can help out the family. Can Cam do it?
This is a very sad and inspiring book, I would give it 4 stars and would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read. I loved that this book keeps you guessing and will make you gasp in disbelief. It has many twist and turns and will inspire anybody to do anything they wan in life.
Cam gets terrible news about Ben and he is coming home from the war early. Cam believes that Ben is not hurt too bad and he will be fine and soon hopes to see his brother on his feet. But when Ben comes back home, Cam is in shock. Ben is paralyzed from a brain injury, he has a dent in his head and he is also missing his hand. Ben will never bull ride again, Cam must step up and bull ride to win the $15,000 so he can help out the family. Can Cam do it?
This is a very sad and inspiring book, I would give it 4 stars and would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read. I loved that this book keeps you guessing and will make you gasp in disbelief. It has many twist and turns and will inspire anybody to do anything they wan in life.
July 2, 2014
1. I could completely see the settings in my head. They were so vivid and real.
2. The characters became people I knew and Cam's friends and family were my friends and family. They were believable and lovable.
3. I cried when the neighbors and friends helped build Ben's room. The camaraderie of the community was so beautiful to me.
4. This is my second book I've read about bull riding and it's becoming a very interesting subject to me.
5. Lali dressing her goat up was so cute and funny.
6. Speaking of funny, can Grandma Jean be my grandma?
7. This was a very enjoyable slice of ranch life that I know I'll think of from time to time.
2. The characters became people I knew and Cam's friends and family were my friends and family. They were believable and lovable.
3. I cried when the neighbors and friends helped build Ben's room. The camaraderie of the community was so beautiful to me.
4. This is my second book I've read about bull riding and it's becoming a very interesting subject to me.
5. Lali dressing her goat up was so cute and funny.
6. Speaking of funny, can Grandma Jean be my grandma?
7. This was a very enjoyable slice of ranch life that I know I'll think of from time to time.
September 1, 2017
My only criticism: I want MORE NOVELS written by SUZANNE MORGAN WILLIAMS!
January 18, 2017
I've read it alot before and every time its awesome!
April 7, 2023
The book, Bull Rider written by Suzanne Morgan Willams. Which takes place in present times, and the main character, Cam, wants to participate in his family's legacy which is bull riding. In my school we were told to get a book to read in our free time. I was looking for a book that would interest me, which this book definitely did. I never heard of this book before until I picked it up and read some reviews about it.
Cam was just an average 15 year old in school who loved to skateboard, until one day his brother Ben came home from the war in Iraq paralyzed from a bomb injury. This really upsets Cam and decides that his mission is to help his big brother be back on his feet again. He had heard about rewards and tournaments that are in the area for bull riding. Cam goes to his uncle and his grandfather and after school they decide to slowly teach him without his mom knowing. Throughout weeks she had never found out, until he hurt himself very badly at practice. She scolded him and told him he will never ride again. This being said he did not listen. Cam started to become very skilled at this and had a lot of skill. After months of practice he signs up for a tournament that has a 15,000 dollar prize to it. As Cam moved up in this tournament his whole family was scared for him. The bull that he has to ride for the final stage is named Ugly. Cam rides Ugly and ends up staying on the longest. The end of the book has news reporters and everybody coming over to celebrate this amazing moment for his whole family.
I loved the way the book ended, Cam worked hard for that moment and never stopped even when people discouraged him. “No, not interested, just the check, that's all I want. And make it out to Ben O’Mara”. This was my favorite quote from the book, because it shows that he really only cared about his brother and not the fame that came with being an amazing bull rider. 15,000 dollars went straight to his brother and not any of his wants. This is just very meaningful to me.
This book is definitely worth the read. This book is amazing for people who just need a bit of encouragement when nobody believes in you. Or, if you just want an entertaining book that teaches you valuable lessons along the way. One of the main things to learn from this is family is everything. This book is great for people in highschool, college, people who are working, it satisfies all age groups.
Cam was just an average 15 year old in school who loved to skateboard, until one day his brother Ben came home from the war in Iraq paralyzed from a bomb injury. This really upsets Cam and decides that his mission is to help his big brother be back on his feet again. He had heard about rewards and tournaments that are in the area for bull riding. Cam goes to his uncle and his grandfather and after school they decide to slowly teach him without his mom knowing. Throughout weeks she had never found out, until he hurt himself very badly at practice. She scolded him and told him he will never ride again. This being said he did not listen. Cam started to become very skilled at this and had a lot of skill. After months of practice he signs up for a tournament that has a 15,000 dollar prize to it. As Cam moved up in this tournament his whole family was scared for him. The bull that he has to ride for the final stage is named Ugly. Cam rides Ugly and ends up staying on the longest. The end of the book has news reporters and everybody coming over to celebrate this amazing moment for his whole family.
I loved the way the book ended, Cam worked hard for that moment and never stopped even when people discouraged him. “No, not interested, just the check, that's all I want. And make it out to Ben O’Mara”. This was my favorite quote from the book, because it shows that he really only cared about his brother and not the fame that came with being an amazing bull rider. 15,000 dollars went straight to his brother and not any of his wants. This is just very meaningful to me.
This book is definitely worth the read. This book is amazing for people who just need a bit of encouragement when nobody believes in you. Or, if you just want an entertaining book that teaches you valuable lessons along the way. One of the main things to learn from this is family is everything. This book is great for people in highschool, college, people who are working, it satisfies all age groups.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2017
The book that I choose to read for these 9 weeks was Bull Rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams and is about a boy named Cam and his family the O’Maras. I would say that this book is a pretty interesting and emotional book but I thought that this book was gonna be better than I thought. I am not saying that this book is bad at all I’m just saying that after I read the caption of the book I thought this book was gonna be one of the best I’ve read but it wasn’t. I would still recommend this book to anybody it is a very interesting book.
Bull rider would be recommended to people like emotional stories and for also obviously people who like bulls or bull riding. I like that even though the story is revolved around bull riding they have a story around bull riding as well with what happens to Ben. I won’t get in much detail but what happens to Ben inspires Cam to do something for him. It’s very inspirational what Cam does and it gets to the emotions of the reader to feel a sense of sympathy for Cam.
The book won’t take you very long to read it’s only about 240 pages long and I read it in a span of 3-4 days. I read about 1 hour each day and it wasn’t long at all so if you go on a short road trip you could pass the time by reading Bull Rider. If I were to give this book a rating out of 10 I would give it a 7 compared to the books that I’ve read this semester. The way the story goes together in the book is done very well but I’m not sure other books that I read were just way more interesting than Bull Rider.
Bull rider would be recommended to people like emotional stories and for also obviously people who like bulls or bull riding. I like that even though the story is revolved around bull riding they have a story around bull riding as well with what happens to Ben. I won’t get in much detail but what happens to Ben inspires Cam to do something for him. It’s very inspirational what Cam does and it gets to the emotions of the reader to feel a sense of sympathy for Cam.
The book won’t take you very long to read it’s only about 240 pages long and I read it in a span of 3-4 days. I read about 1 hour each day and it wasn’t long at all so if you go on a short road trip you could pass the time by reading Bull Rider. If I were to give this book a rating out of 10 I would give it a 7 compared to the books that I’ve read this semester. The way the story goes together in the book is done very well but I’m not sure other books that I read were just way more interesting than Bull Rider.
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November 6, 2024Joshua Hornback
11-6-24
Bull rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams
Hi, I am a student in 9th grade. I found this book in our school library. I really like to farm and have livestock so this book just fit me. The main characters are Cam, his big brother Ben that went to war and his grandpa Roy and Cam's mom and dad.
This book has a lot of action. Cam is a young skateboard rider and his whole entire family rides bulls. Cam's big brother Ben has always been a bull rider till he went to war and left. He was a champion bull rider and was pretty good at it. Cam didn't want anything to do with bulls let alone ride them. He liked to skateboard. Cam finally decided to ride some bulls and he was pretty good at it. Cam's brother Ben got injured in war and his family needs money to support him. Cam steps in and does a bull riding competition for 15,000 dollars to give his big brother a future in life. The book ended in a very bitter sweet way. I actually really loved this book and I don't really enjoy reading it. Nothing really gets me hooked the way it needs to but this book did. My favorite part is when he starts to bull ride and not skateboard as much. I think if you're from a small town and like to farm and from the country you will really like this book but if you aren't you might not like it as much. It's a very good book, like the 3rd chapter. That's when I was really hooked on it. This book is overall very good for the right audience and I liked it. I think you will too!!!.
11-6-24
Bull rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams
Hi, I am a student in 9th grade. I found this book in our school library. I really like to farm and have livestock so this book just fit me. The main characters are Cam, his big brother Ben that went to war and his grandpa Roy and Cam's mom and dad.
This book has a lot of action. Cam is a young skateboard rider and his whole entire family rides bulls. Cam's big brother Ben has always been a bull rider till he went to war and left. He was a champion bull rider and was pretty good at it. Cam didn't want anything to do with bulls let alone ride them. He liked to skateboard. Cam finally decided to ride some bulls and he was pretty good at it. Cam's brother Ben got injured in war and his family needs money to support him. Cam steps in and does a bull riding competition for 15,000 dollars to give his big brother a future in life. The book ended in a very bitter sweet way. I actually really loved this book and I don't really enjoy reading it. Nothing really gets me hooked the way it needs to but this book did. My favorite part is when he starts to bull ride and not skateboard as much. I think if you're from a small town and like to farm and from the country you will really like this book but if you aren't you might not like it as much. It's a very good book, like the 3rd chapter. That's when I was really hooked on it. This book is overall very good for the right audience and I liked it. I think you will too!!!.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2019
In the book Bull Rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams these brothers are really close but have different opinions on bull riding. Cam and Ben would hang out and go to the bull ring and cam would watch ben ride bulls and then one day Ben decided to join the marines and go to iraq and got shot and cam decided to put skateboarding to the side and ride bulls. Cam rode bulls to make Ben proud while Ben was laying in a hospital bed so Cam could tell him that he had started riding bulls. Cam made the hardest decision of his life towards the end of the book to ride the hardest bull in the world for amateurs to make Ben proud and hopefully give Ben hope to try and work to walk again. My favorite character in the book was Cam, because he was always do something sporty or wanting to do something that was fun. The characters seemed real everything about the book seemed real. The story keeps you guessing and wanting to read it. The story has a way to hook you into it and make you want to keep reading. There wasn’t anything I disliked about the book. If your into adventure, action, and sports I recommend this book for you this book will make you feel like your living out the story while your reading it.
September 18, 2017
My book was good but it wasn't great. I liked it because it had skateboarding and bull riding in it. I didn't like it because it was confusing and kinda hard to read. Overall it was a good book, It had good characters and I really liked the little brother. The book was about a kid that loved skateboarding and his older brother loved bull riding and a bunch of people wanted the little brother to start bull riding. Cam is the little brother and people want Cam to ride a bull for eight seconds and if he does he get a prize of $15,000
Cam does a skateboarding competition in the winter at an outdoor skatepark. If cam wins the $15,000 for riding the bull named ugly for eight seconds, will it bring hope and future for his big brother because his brother got shot.
Cam does a skateboarding competition in the winter at an outdoor skatepark. If cam wins the $15,000 for riding the bull named ugly for eight seconds, will it bring hope and future for his big brother because his brother got shot.
May 25, 2020
from goodreads site:
Cam O'Mara, grandson and younger brother of bull- riding champions, is not interested in partaking in the family sport. Cam is a skateboarder, and perfecting his tricks -- frontside flips, 360s -- means everything until his older brother, Ben, comes home from Iraq, paralyzed from a brain injury.
What would make a skateboarder take a different kind of ride? And what would get him on a monstrosity of a bull named Ugly? If Cam can stay on for the requisite eight seconds, will the $15,000 prize bring hope and a future for his big brother?
Cam O'Mara, grandson and younger brother of bull- riding champions, is not interested in partaking in the family sport. Cam is a skateboarder, and perfecting his tricks -- frontside flips, 360s -- means everything until his older brother, Ben, comes home from Iraq, paralyzed from a brain injury.
What would make a skateboarder take a different kind of ride? And what would get him on a monstrosity of a bull named Ugly? If Cam can stay on for the requisite eight seconds, will the $15,000 prize bring hope and a future for his big brother?
April 6, 2020
So this book was great it kinda ties in with my life I was a bull rider my self. I just think the book I really loved the book and I love how the little brother looked up to his older brother. Also, I like the way that the big brother is a marine and he also loves to bull ride. The little brother loves to skateboard and love to bull ride. But he liked skateboarding the most and the older brother was a high school champion.
February 5, 2017
I loved this book from start to finish! Suzanne has written a book to keep the interest of any child or adult but I think it will especially speak to boys. It has deep family connections and doesn't shy away from difficult topics. No dogs or parents are killed in this book and the story line if first rate.
November 17, 2017
ITS A MUST READ!!! This book shows you what hard work is and how it pays off. It really relates to the cowboy life style and the city life style so this book will relate to anyone and everyone. I gave this book a rating off 5 because out of all the books i read this one was by far the best if you like the military and the cowboy life and hate school plant your nose in this book!
May 12, 2017
This book was well composed and kept me entertained for the whole time that I was reading. It was an interesting plot based in a very original storyline.
October 13, 2017
I did not really think that the book was that interesting.
January 8, 2019
it was diffrent at the most and it gave me a great understanding of bull riding
February 17, 2021
I recommend this book to people who like books about bull riders.
November 29, 2021
My students love this book. And it's easy to see why: the main character is believable and recognizable. This kid could be one of my own.
April 4, 2012
This is another of the Missouri Truman Award Nominees from the 2011-12 school year. The story is told from the point of view of Cam. Cam's brother, Ben, has just returned from the war in Iraq, and he is suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and has lost part of his arm. Ben was once a great bull rider. Now he is just an injured soldier who is nothing like his formal self. Cam struggles with many parts of Ben's return.
I liked the way the author brought up the topic of TBI. This is one of the more serious ailments affecting our young men and women that are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. You can tell the author invested some time in researching this topic. In her acknowledgments she thanks several people in VA hospital in Palo Alto, CA. As a result, this part of the story seems very convincing and really makes you think about the sacrifice people affected by TBI have made for their country. It is an ugly reality of war.
I also liked how the author told a story about small town America. There is often a lot of stereotypes in our society about small towns. In many ways the relationships and the people in small town America are not much different than those in the "big city." They just often have different interests, like bull riding.
I loved this passage. This is America at its finest:
"In Salt Lick, we know everybody, and half the town is related to each other somehow or other. Every family has somebody who came back from Vietnam with a Purple Heart or somebody who didn't come back at all. The grandpas, they march in the Veteran's Day Parade, and you can still get a good story about World War II on Friday night at the Grange Hall if you go early enough to catch the old geezers. Sure, some folks think different, one way or another about politics, but everyone has one thought about the United States. If it's in trouble, we go."
I was surprised by how interesting I found the bull riding aspect of this book. It was an interesting view into something I knew nothing about. Personally, no offense, but I think you have to be half crazy to want to do it. If that's your cup of tea, hey, more power to you.
The main character in the book is Cam O'Mara. Cam is a great character. I was impressed at how believable Cam was considering the author of this text is female. You would have never thought this book was written by a female author, Cam is very authentic and real. Proof that as different as we think the genders are, they really are not that different.
The response Cam has to the return of his brother Ben is very real. I couldn't imagine seeing the strong older sibling you looked up to turned into a person that needed constant help and could barely remember parts of his life. In the beginning of the story Cam is a skateboarder, but he begins to become interested in bull riding. When mom tells him no, it just makes him want to do it that much more. As the story progresses Cam sees bull riding as a chance to help his family out by riding a championship bull named Ugly. Along the way Cam makes mistakes and damages a great friendship as he struggles to come to terms with all the challenges in his life.
Bull Rider is 241 pages in length. I really appreciated the short chapters and even shorter scenes in the book. It is split into 30 chapters. There was always a good stopping place where you could set the book down and not interrupt a scene.
The one disappointment in this book is that the climax of the story was really kind of anti-climactic. It just came way to quickly and didn't really leave me with a satisfied feeling. This was the only thing that held this book back from a 5 star rating.
Realistic Fiction
Lexile: 650
2011-12 Missouri Truman Nominee
I liked the way the author brought up the topic of TBI. This is one of the more serious ailments affecting our young men and women that are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. You can tell the author invested some time in researching this topic. In her acknowledgments she thanks several people in VA hospital in Palo Alto, CA. As a result, this part of the story seems very convincing and really makes you think about the sacrifice people affected by TBI have made for their country. It is an ugly reality of war.
I also liked how the author told a story about small town America. There is often a lot of stereotypes in our society about small towns. In many ways the relationships and the people in small town America are not much different than those in the "big city." They just often have different interests, like bull riding.
I loved this passage. This is America at its finest:
"In Salt Lick, we know everybody, and half the town is related to each other somehow or other. Every family has somebody who came back from Vietnam with a Purple Heart or somebody who didn't come back at all. The grandpas, they march in the Veteran's Day Parade, and you can still get a good story about World War II on Friday night at the Grange Hall if you go early enough to catch the old geezers. Sure, some folks think different, one way or another about politics, but everyone has one thought about the United States. If it's in trouble, we go."
I was surprised by how interesting I found the bull riding aspect of this book. It was an interesting view into something I knew nothing about. Personally, no offense, but I think you have to be half crazy to want to do it. If that's your cup of tea, hey, more power to you.
The main character in the book is Cam O'Mara. Cam is a great character. I was impressed at how believable Cam was considering the author of this text is female. You would have never thought this book was written by a female author, Cam is very authentic and real. Proof that as different as we think the genders are, they really are not that different.
The response Cam has to the return of his brother Ben is very real. I couldn't imagine seeing the strong older sibling you looked up to turned into a person that needed constant help and could barely remember parts of his life. In the beginning of the story Cam is a skateboarder, but he begins to become interested in bull riding. When mom tells him no, it just makes him want to do it that much more. As the story progresses Cam sees bull riding as a chance to help his family out by riding a championship bull named Ugly. Along the way Cam makes mistakes and damages a great friendship as he struggles to come to terms with all the challenges in his life.
Bull Rider is 241 pages in length. I really appreciated the short chapters and even shorter scenes in the book. It is split into 30 chapters. There was always a good stopping place where you could set the book down and not interrupt a scene.
The one disappointment in this book is that the climax of the story was really kind of anti-climactic. It just came way to quickly and didn't really leave me with a satisfied feeling. This was the only thing that held this book back from a 5 star rating.
Realistic Fiction
Lexile: 650
2011-12 Missouri Truman Nominee
October 30, 2013
Cam O'Mara, a fourteen year old boy, and his family go through a traumatic crisis that will change their lives forever. The book “Bull Rider,” by Suzanne Morgan Williams, talks about a boy named Cam who loves to skateboard. But, it's in his blood to Bull Ride. Cam and his family live in a small town called Salt Lick City on a ranch where a huge pile of salt stands. People use the salt and their told it will give them good luck. But, then Cam's mom overuses the salt and bad things begin to happen. Sometime later, tragedy strikes and they attribute it to the salt lick mishap. This book like every good book must meet 2 criterion: a jacket summary that sparks the readers interest, and a suspenseful plot that carries from chapter to chapter until the end.
The book jacket of “Bull Rider” caught my attention right off. It includes a good summary that makes me what to read further. The summary describes the main character in a way that makes me want to learn more about him. Cam is described as, “a grandson and younger brother of bull riding champions but he is not interested in taking part in the family sport of bull riding.” I relate to Cam's independent spirit and the bull riding and military themes within the book; they connect with my family. Also, Suzanne Williams includes several questions in the summary that intrigue me. One question, “what would make a skateboarder take a different kind of ride?.” Character details and good questions lead into a well-planned plot.
A suspenseful plot is what grabs my attention from the very beginning of the first chapter to its end. I always want a book that is interesting, otherwise I will put the book down and stop reading. “Bull Rider” has a suspenseful plot. The first chapter leaves me wondering what it might be like to have a family member depart to the military. Chapters that come later in the book cause me to consider the physical and emotional loss when a family member becomes injured. Also this suspenseful plot has a strong conflict. Cam's interpersonal conflict develops when his brother's injury challenges him to give up skateboarding to pursue bull riding competitively. Having a good conflict, like the book “Bull Rider,” makes the story interesting.
The book met my 2 criterion: a jacket summary that sparked the interest, and a suspenseful plot that carried me from chapter to chapter until the end. Suzanne Williams book jacket includes a summary that describes an interesting main character and there are questions that she includes that spark my interest in the story. This plot is suspenseful because each chapter has a cliffhanger ending and Cam's interpersonal conflict is increasing. Cam knows he is a good skateboarder but he want's to better support his brother through his military injury and recovery. I would recommend this book to other eighth grade students who are interested in bull riding, skateboarding, or have veterans or current military family members. I learned that good writers need to have a cliffhanger ending. This is an ending that creates questions that remain unanswered. A reader will want to read more in order to find answers to the questions and make connections to their own life. Also, it's important to have a conflict, even if it's an interpersonal conflict one. I learned to appreciate how good writers successfully summarize their story. I think other 8th graders will learn from Suzanne Morgan Williams well-written story.
November 1, 2019
It was good
June 26, 2011
Powerful. Poignant. Uplifting. Emotional. Beautiful. Told with authenticity and sincerity, Bull Rider makes a very bold statement that will last much longer than the requisite eight seconds in bull riding. Suzanne Morgan Williams is truly a masterful storyteller when it comes to understanding and capturing the dynamics of a family, especially when faced with hardships. Never taking away from the honor, dignity, and bravery of serving one’s country, Bull Rider provides a touching and impeccably realistic outlook on the life of an injured soldier and the extraordinary extent that a family will go to, to try to help him recover. Bull riding plays a very special role in trying to help heal Ben, the injured soldier.
This deeply moving story is something that many people can relate to, not just families of war veterans who have faced difficult circumstances due to a war injury or people who are familiar with bull riding or are fans of it. The author meshes two honorable yet dangerous actions - serving in the Iraq war and bull riding - to create a one of a kind story that is thrilling, adventurous, suspenseful, heartwarming, and full of hope. I thought the comparison of trying to ride a bull, which is very difficult to do, to trying to ride life’s challenges and see them through, was very touching and relevant to the storyline.
This book gives light to the unfortunate reality of how a serious injury can devastate a family, but at the same time, also bring them so much closer together in order to pull through as a family. You get to see the stages, both the ups and the downs, that their family goes through when dealing with Ben’s brain injury and paralysis. It shows how having a supportive family is essential when trying to overcome something like this and how hope, faith, and sometimes luck in the most unlikeliest of places is needed (if you read the book you’ll find out what the unique lucky charm is!).
The plot is paced well and the characters are well put together. Both Ben and Cam are strong characters full of courage and heart. Cam is really an inspiration to his brother Ben through bull riding and tries to motivate and encourage him when he’s down. Cam’s mom is tender yet stern. His grandmother provides much needed comic relief at all the right times. And Cam’s father and grandfather keep the strong backbone of a rancher’s life alive.
I loved Bull Rider! Satisfying and meaningful from beginning to end, Bull Rider is sure to capture your heart, as it did mine. This book is one heck of a ride! I savored every minute of it. This is one of the best inspirational stories I’ve read in a while!
This deeply moving story is something that many people can relate to, not just families of war veterans who have faced difficult circumstances due to a war injury or people who are familiar with bull riding or are fans of it. The author meshes two honorable yet dangerous actions - serving in the Iraq war and bull riding - to create a one of a kind story that is thrilling, adventurous, suspenseful, heartwarming, and full of hope. I thought the comparison of trying to ride a bull, which is very difficult to do, to trying to ride life’s challenges and see them through, was very touching and relevant to the storyline.
This book gives light to the unfortunate reality of how a serious injury can devastate a family, but at the same time, also bring them so much closer together in order to pull through as a family. You get to see the stages, both the ups and the downs, that their family goes through when dealing with Ben’s brain injury and paralysis. It shows how having a supportive family is essential when trying to overcome something like this and how hope, faith, and sometimes luck in the most unlikeliest of places is needed (if you read the book you’ll find out what the unique lucky charm is!).
The plot is paced well and the characters are well put together. Both Ben and Cam are strong characters full of courage and heart. Cam is really an inspiration to his brother Ben through bull riding and tries to motivate and encourage him when he’s down. Cam’s mom is tender yet stern. His grandmother provides much needed comic relief at all the right times. And Cam’s father and grandfather keep the strong backbone of a rancher’s life alive.
I loved Bull Rider! Satisfying and meaningful from beginning to end, Bull Rider is sure to capture your heart, as it did mine. This book is one heck of a ride! I savored every minute of it. This is one of the best inspirational stories I’ve read in a while!
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