The Great Turkey Walk

Kathleen Karr hit a homer when she penned this story for kids. The Great Turkey Walk is fiction, but based on actual occurences from the old west. When a very slow student finally gets his walking papers, he enters into an enterprise nobody else would have ever considered. The enterprise? Herding Turkeys to the Gold rush of Denver! His slow and difficult trip brings many adventures his way. He meets his long lost father, who desparately tries to steal his turkeys. He is surrounded by Indians. He meets a half crazed girl who becomes the love of his life. In the end, the dumb boy turns out to be smarter than he even thought he could be. It is a delight and my kids loved the book. Yours will too!

I can understand why several of the reviewers enjoyed sharing this book and listening to it on tape. I read it aloud to a 2nd grade class after enjoying it myself, and they thoroughly enjoyed it too. The tale is fun and wacky (walking TURKEYS across country? Really!). There are great characters (Simon isn't too bright, but he has a great heart, pride and determination and could teach all of us a thing or two...). And it is a lot of fun to read with someone or aloud to a group. Pick up the book and read it with your kids -- you may enjoy it even more that way.

I'm really surprised at all the negative opinions of this book. I just finished reading this to my 3 younger children and we all very much enjoyed it. I read it aloud with a southern drawl and had great fun bringing Simon Green, Bridwell Peece, Jabeth, and Lizzie alive. Give this book a chance. I'm very glad we did and I'd read it again in a heartbeat.

I am home educating my children and we read this at our family read aloud time. It was a really wonderful story. My daughter, who is 9, picked this out to read. I liked that the main character, Simon, had morals. He defended these morals in the book; children can see that good eventually wins out. Hard work also pays off! I have been recommending this book to all our friends.

Seventh grade teacher here- I'm always searching for books that will tickle my students into wanting to read and this book is one that is going on the top of my list. The characters are heroic, the plot is action-packed, and the dialogue is playful. While enjoying a good read, my students will be picking up lots of information about the Westward Movement, pioneer life on the prairie, the U. S. in 1860. I hope the publisher prints a paperback soon so I can order copies for my classroom library.