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Crosswire
Dwindling water supplies have driven desperate cattlemen to snip fences in order to water their herds—targeting thirteen-year-old Jesse's farm several times. When a lone drifter arrives in town, he's quickly hired to work the farm. It should be a relief to have the extra help, but Jesse suspects the man is more than just a hired hand and is determined to uncover his mysterious secret. This Society of School Librarians International Honor Book includes an author's note and bibliography.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
144 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Dotti Enderle
108 books40 followersI'm the author of literally (get it) dozens of books for children.
Born in Killeen, Texas on a cold January day in 1954. My family moved around a lot, allowing me to, over the years, live on a farm, in an historic home and always near rivers or bayous. My playthings were hula-hoops, old typewriters and a wooden leg named Charlie. (Yep, you read that right.) If you want a true glimpse of my childhood dreams, read my novel, Man in the Moon. The character Janine allows you inside my young mixed-up mind.
I’ve lived most of my life in Houston and still live there today. You’ll find me here reading, writing and smiling.
Born in Killeen, Texas on a cold January day in 1954. My family moved around a lot, allowing me to, over the years, live on a farm, in an historic home and always near rivers or bayous. My playthings were hula-hoops, old typewriters and a wooden leg named Charlie. (Yep, you read that right.) If you want a true glimpse of my childhood dreams, read my novel, Man in the Moon. The character Janine allows you inside my young mixed-up mind.
I’ve lived most of my life in Houston and still live there today. You’ll find me here reading, writing and smiling.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 26, 2010
Texas author Dotti Enderle's newest novel, set in 1883 during a grueling drought, brings the excitement of the Texas frontier to today's young people. Thirteen year old Jesse and his family find themselves in the middle of a battle between farmers and free-range cattlemen; with water scarce, fence cutting became a common practice as cattlemen cut through farmers' barbed-wire fences in a desperate search for water for their herds. Sometimes bandits were hired to do the dirty work, and they often left threatening messages behind and even tortured animals to get their message across.
Jesse's family is being torn apart, between the vandalism on the farm from the fence-cutters and his brother Ethan's gambling. When Ethan steals the family's cash reserves to settle a gambling debt, their father disowns him and Ethan is forced to leave in disgrace, breaking their mother's heart. Jesse knows his father thinks he's a weakling; he's unable to shoot a gun since an earlier hunting accident where he had accidentally shot and killed his own dog. In one scene, Jesse's father comments that "this boy will never grow up."
When a mysterious stranger rides into town, Jesse's father hires him to help out on the farm. Jesse doesn't know what to make of Jackson Slater. Snooping around, Jesse discovers that Slater is keeping company with some rough men, and what's worse, he's hiding a pair of wire cutters and a fancy pistol in his living quarters. Is this mysterious stranger friend or foe, and can Jesse summon up the courage to help his family through this crisis?
This fast-paced, action-filled story, written in brief chapters, is narrated by Jesse in a colloquial tone, filled with colorful slang and expressions such as "I felt anger churning inside me like a tornado sweeping through the fields," or "dumber than a turkey." While I imagine it will especially appeal to Texas readers, this book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes an exciting Western story, filled with adventure, danger, and even the Texas Rangers.
At a quick-paced 135 pages, this book would be a good story to recommend for reluctant readers, particularly those looking for a historical or adventure title. The author includes an afterword with additional information on the history of the Texas Rangers, the introduction of barbed wire fencing, fence-cutters, and a brief bibliography.
Jesse's family is being torn apart, between the vandalism on the farm from the fence-cutters and his brother Ethan's gambling. When Ethan steals the family's cash reserves to settle a gambling debt, their father disowns him and Ethan is forced to leave in disgrace, breaking their mother's heart. Jesse knows his father thinks he's a weakling; he's unable to shoot a gun since an earlier hunting accident where he had accidentally shot and killed his own dog. In one scene, Jesse's father comments that "this boy will never grow up."
When a mysterious stranger rides into town, Jesse's father hires him to help out on the farm. Jesse doesn't know what to make of Jackson Slater. Snooping around, Jesse discovers that Slater is keeping company with some rough men, and what's worse, he's hiding a pair of wire cutters and a fancy pistol in his living quarters. Is this mysterious stranger friend or foe, and can Jesse summon up the courage to help his family through this crisis?
This fast-paced, action-filled story, written in brief chapters, is narrated by Jesse in a colloquial tone, filled with colorful slang and expressions such as "I felt anger churning inside me like a tornado sweeping through the fields," or "dumber than a turkey." While I imagine it will especially appeal to Texas readers, this book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes an exciting Western story, filled with adventure, danger, and even the Texas Rangers.
At a quick-paced 135 pages, this book would be a good story to recommend for reluctant readers, particularly those looking for a historical or adventure title. The author includes an afterword with additional information on the history of the Texas Rangers, the introduction of barbed wire fencing, fence-cutters, and a brief bibliography.
January 11, 2019
Crosswire, by Dotti Enderle, is a thought provoking novel about a thirteen year old boy named Jesse and his family of Texas ranchers. The story takes place during the 1883 drought, during this time many free range cattlemen would break into private farms and ranches and steal water to provide for their own cattle. These people were known as fence-cutters. When Jesse’s family becomes a target of the fence-cutters, they have to spend majority of their days mending the fence.
Dotti does an excellent job developing the characters throughout the story, especially Jesse and his brother Ethan. Although Ethan is not included in in most of the story, he’s one of the most developed characters from the beginning of the story and has one of the most important roles in making this novel so alluring. In the first chapter we learn about Ethan’s drinking problem and his more serious gambling problem. We also learn that Ethan has an extremely negative attitude towards being a farmer and tends to disagree with his father more often than not. When their father, Tom, finds out about Ethan’s gambling problem and that he had stolen money from the family to gamble, he kicked Ethan out of the house. After Ethan leaves, he isn’t mentioned again until the end of the story.
With Ethan gone, and the fence-cutters becoming daily visitors, the family was desperate to hire any cheap help to take over Ethan’s chores. After weeks of searching for an extra hand, they were introduced to a man named Jackson. As soon as Jackson was hired, Jesse had a feeling that he was hiding something from them. He was constantly asking the family questions about their personal life, but kept his own life very private.
Not only were the fence-cutters stealing water from the farm, but they began harming animals on the farm and Jesse’s dog, Leather. Along with harming their cattle and pets, the fence-cutters began leaving threatening notes for the family.
Jesse then gets captured by the fence-cutters, who we discover are Ethans old gambling friends, that Ethan owed money to. Jesse also sees Jackson helping the fence-cutters, and is in complete shock. Then the fence-cutters bring out Ethan, who is covered in blood and who’s foot is in a bear trap they had set up. After seeing Ethan, Jackson suggests that they take him to the hospital, but they won’t risk getting arrested to save him. Then, Jackson take a gun out of his belt and arrests the fence-cutters. We then find out in a letter from Jackson to Jesse, that he was an undercover cop sent to Texas to find out more about the fence-cutters.
The large theme of this book is about common struggles that ranchers during droughts go through, but it also explains what it took for Jesse to finally be considered a “man” in his family. He didn’t have to prove himself by shooting a gun, or by taking over the harder chores on the ranch, but by protecting and standing up for his family when they needed it the most.
Dotti does an excellent job developing the characters throughout the story, especially Jesse and his brother Ethan. Although Ethan is not included in in most of the story, he’s one of the most developed characters from the beginning of the story and has one of the most important roles in making this novel so alluring. In the first chapter we learn about Ethan’s drinking problem and his more serious gambling problem. We also learn that Ethan has an extremely negative attitude towards being a farmer and tends to disagree with his father more often than not. When their father, Tom, finds out about Ethan’s gambling problem and that he had stolen money from the family to gamble, he kicked Ethan out of the house. After Ethan leaves, he isn’t mentioned again until the end of the story.
With Ethan gone, and the fence-cutters becoming daily visitors, the family was desperate to hire any cheap help to take over Ethan’s chores. After weeks of searching for an extra hand, they were introduced to a man named Jackson. As soon as Jackson was hired, Jesse had a feeling that he was hiding something from them. He was constantly asking the family questions about their personal life, but kept his own life very private.
Not only were the fence-cutters stealing water from the farm, but they began harming animals on the farm and Jesse’s dog, Leather. Along with harming their cattle and pets, the fence-cutters began leaving threatening notes for the family.
Jesse then gets captured by the fence-cutters, who we discover are Ethans old gambling friends, that Ethan owed money to. Jesse also sees Jackson helping the fence-cutters, and is in complete shock. Then the fence-cutters bring out Ethan, who is covered in blood and who’s foot is in a bear trap they had set up. After seeing Ethan, Jackson suggests that they take him to the hospital, but they won’t risk getting arrested to save him. Then, Jackson take a gun out of his belt and arrests the fence-cutters. We then find out in a letter from Jackson to Jesse, that he was an undercover cop sent to Texas to find out more about the fence-cutters.
The large theme of this book is about common struggles that ranchers during droughts go through, but it also explains what it took for Jesse to finally be considered a “man” in his family. He didn’t have to prove himself by shooting a gun, or by taking over the harder chores on the ranch, but by protecting and standing up for his family when they needed it the most.
January 29, 2020
While a fairly short story, the characters are surprisingly well-developed, and the author presents the reader with something more than a good narrative.
This is a coming-of-age story set in Central-West Texas in the height of the cattle-era. The protagonist overcomes his fears, learns not to judge too quickly, and shows us that love never fails. Given the intended younger audience, these motifs are fairly straightforward and not too deeply explored.
Notwithstanding the intended younger audience, some of the themes and content should not be recommended to children. It’s more of a grown-up book packaged for young readers. In that sense, it somewhat misses the mark.
I enjoyed the tension created by the family dynamics, and was moved by some of the scenes. As with any good Western, the author brought the character of the land to life.
This is a coming-of-age story set in Central-West Texas in the height of the cattle-era. The protagonist overcomes his fears, learns not to judge too quickly, and shows us that love never fails. Given the intended younger audience, these motifs are fairly straightforward and not too deeply explored.
Notwithstanding the intended younger audience, some of the themes and content should not be recommended to children. It’s more of a grown-up book packaged for young readers. In that sense, it somewhat misses the mark.
I enjoyed the tension created by the family dynamics, and was moved by some of the scenes. As with any good Western, the author brought the character of the land to life.
Read
September 27, 2018Suspense and strong characters give readers lots to enjoy (and think about) in this historical fiction novel. With Jesse as narrator, readers get a very real sense of the times, as well as his personal struggles. The story is well written and has a level of suspense and mystery that kept me turning pages well after bedtime.
Note: Guns are part of the plot and relevant to the context of the story. This is not a Hollywood-style "Western," but those who oppose all references to guns may want to screen this before sharing with young audiences.
Go to the Reading Tub for the ful review. While you’re there, add a link to your review.
Note: Guns are part of the plot and relevant to the context of the story. This is not a Hollywood-style "Western," but those who oppose all references to guns may want to screen this before sharing with young audiences.
Go to the Reading Tub for the ful review. While you’re there, add a link to your review.
May 15, 2012
Historical fiction is truly one of my favorite type of reads and this one didn't disappoint. From the moment I read the first page, author Enderle did a sensational job of hooking me with well-developed characters and an intriguing and fast-paced plot. Readers will enjoy this story told through the main character, Jesse's eyes. His family's farm is being sabotaged and his brother is tearing them apart. Add to that, the worst drought on record in Texas. Not to mention, Jesse is less than a man in his parents' eyes, why he can't even get over his fear of shooting a gun. But if he doesn't dig deep and find the courage he needs, his family will lose everything, including each other. A riveting read!
June 26, 2012
When his older brother is forced to leave home and a mysterious stranger comes to help at their ranch, thirteen-year-old Jesse gets caught up in the Texas farmers versus cattlemen war caused by a drought 1883. This frontier story is fast-paced enough to feel contemporary while accurately portraying a time when men took the law into their own hands and a father might say, “You’ll never be a man” because his son didn’t want to shoot a gun. (An earlier incident has left Jesse understandably “gun-shy.”) The era and setting ring true, and readers will plow through this book to find out what happens.
July 23, 2014
gr 6 + ? 135 pgs
1883, Texas. 13 year old Jesse has a lot to deal with. His older brother likes to sneak into town and gamble, Jesse hasn't been able to fire a gun since he accidentally shot and killed his pet dog, and there is a severe drought. Then, cattlemen start cutting farmers' fences, including Jesse's, allowing their cattle trample crops and drink up the little water available. When Jesse's father banishes Jesse's older brother, it is up to Jesse to help defend the farm. Jesse wonders, can he conquer his fear?
Interesting to pair with Lafaye's "Worth" also set during the "Fence-Cutting" Wars in Texas.
1883, Texas. 13 year old Jesse has a lot to deal with. His older brother likes to sneak into town and gamble, Jesse hasn't been able to fire a gun since he accidentally shot and killed his pet dog, and there is a severe drought. Then, cattlemen start cutting farmers' fences, including Jesse's, allowing their cattle trample crops and drink up the little water available. When Jesse's father banishes Jesse's older brother, it is up to Jesse to help defend the farm. Jesse wonders, can he conquer his fear?
Interesting to pair with Lafaye's "Worth" also set during the "Fence-Cutting" Wars in Texas.
August 20, 2010
A teenage boy experiences the danger and struggle of the taming of the Texas plains when his family's ranch is threatened by violent gangs who cut fences, kill livestock, and threaten ranchers in a war to keep the plains open. In a time and place where the law doesn't really exist, it is a man, his gun, and the courage to use it that stands between life and death, but is Jesse really ready to stand up and be that man?
Middle and High School. Historical Fiction.
Middle and High School. Historical Fiction.
January 15, 2011
Thirteen year old Jesse and his family struggle with fence-cutters who damage their property, kill livestock and make even worse threats, in the face of the Texas drought of 1883.
When a stranger is hired on to help with the chores, Jesse wonders if he is
bringing even more danger.
Great historical fiction, especially for boys. Lots of good information at the end of the book about the Texas Rangers, fence-cutters, the history of barbed-wire fences and more.
When a stranger is hired on to help with the chores, Jesse wonders if he is
bringing even more danger.
Great historical fiction, especially for boys. Lots of good information at the end of the book about the Texas Rangers, fence-cutters, the history of barbed-wire fences and more.
Read
September 27, 2013The cruel Texas drought of 1883 has Jesse and his family in turmoil. Crops are drying out, and desperate free-range cattlemen are cutting fences and trespassing with their thirsty herds, threatening the family's precious water supply.
January 30, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, even though it is a juvenile book for ages 9-12. It gives historical insight into what it was like to live in Texas during the terrible drought that plagued Texas in the 1880's and the fence wars that were a result. We don't realize how good we have it these days!
Read
October 17, 2013I just finished this book and I loved it!!! I thought Pud was a cutter but it surprised me at the end when he was actually a Park Ranger! Then Ethan came back and lived at home again.... But then he lost his left leg. :( it was so sad!
September 2, 2011
this book is very good this book has a good suspence
December 17, 2011
Good book wish it did not end...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews