Walker's Crossing

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Book Overview

TAKING SIDES Ryan Walker has always known what he wants to be -- a cowboy, like his father was before being injured in a riding accident. But when Ryan's older brother, Gil, becomes a member of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439203147
• ISBN13: 9780439203142
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Review of the book Walker's Crossing

Gerard Walker's Crossing By Phyllis.R.Naylor Just imagine you being a 12 year old boy that has always wanted to be a cowboy for all of your life and then your dad rips your dream away from you and says since one the cowboys had did something illegal and accidentally hurt your father and he says that you are not allowed to be a cowboy cause of what happened. Then when you think you're off the hook and will not get in to any trouble cause your dad has died your brother joins the C.P.F. the Cowboy Protective Force. This kids name is Ryan Walker and he always wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up, After a few weeks his father was in a accident with a cowboy and some of his friends got it to a fight and he got shot and was sent to the hospital. They got the bullet out of him and he got stitches. When he came home from the hospital and they asked what had happened to you? and dad answered I got shot by a cowboy and Ryan said no they wouldn't they couldn't, no then dad said yes they did and they got away with it and I don't want you to a cowboy ever then out yells Ryan noooooooooo why then dad says because of what they do and the way they act and that's the end of that now go to bed. So if you want an adventure and mysteries book just go and pick up Walkers Crossing By Phyllis.R.Naylor

Walker's Crossing

Walker's Crossing was The best book I have Ever read. Usually when I read a book, I get bored and I don't finish the book. When I read Walker's Crossing, I read the book. I was very interested in the book. I used to want to be a cowboy when I was younger.When Lon Walker got hurt,I thought it was cool that Gil Walker and Ryan Walker helped out on the Ranch.If I was a girl, I would want to be a Junior Rodeo Queen too.Charlene never gave up.I learned alot about what cowboys really do on a Ranch.I urge everyone in the world to read Walker's Crossing. It's a great book.

Historical Fiction

"Walker's Crossing" is an excellent example of historical fiction as it brings to life the prejudicial views of the Ku Klux Klan and shows how prejudice affects a community. Ryan Walker is a seventh grade boy who lives on a ranch in rural Wyoming. All Ryan wants is to be a cowboy for Saddlebow Ranch, where his father is the foreman. Ryan's good-for-nothing 22-year old brother, Gil, becomes involved with the Mountain Patriots Association, a group formed to drive out all "minorities" from the area.Ryan's best friend, Matt, becomes a junior member of the Patriots and starts spreading racial propoganda around their junior high school. Then a friend's father is killed in a helicopter crash caused by the Patriots, and Ryan tries to help his friend deal with the loss of his father. Ryan's brother, Gil, is put in jail.Throughout the book, Ryan is described as being "too tall and too skinny", made fun of because of his appearance. This story uses prejudice and differences among people to explore how we find common ground and acceptance in order to build character. Ryan remains true to his friends, despite ridicule from others, and finds an inner strength he did not know he possessed. At the end of the story, he is offered that job at Saddlebow - and Ryan learns that honesty, integrity and trust win over hatred and ignorance.A wonderful story for young people and adults alike.

Unique coming of age story set in contemporary America

I had purchased "Walker's Crossing" just prior to hearing Phyllis Reynolds Naylor speak at the Keene State College Children's Literature Festival. She spoke briefly about this particular book and I glanced at the first chapter quickly! I was hooked!The book takes you to a small ranch in Wyoming where you meet a junior high boy--Ryan--who doesn't fit in at home and is the tallest boy at school by far. He is teased about his height and tongue-tied in front of girls.To make matters worse Ryan's older brother Gil has become interested in a para-military hate organization run by one of Gil's new friends--Matt. Many of the boys in Ryan's class are impressed by this organization and can't wait to be old enough to join.Although Ryan's parents are not very empathetic Ryan has mentors in the ranch hands who allow him to help them run the ranch. Ryan is a real help and feels that ranch life is the only life for him. His father dismisses Ryan's desire--wishing instead that his older son Gil would becoome a rancher.Even the adults in this book are very confused about their feelings regarding Jews immigrants and anyone not descendants of twelve northern European countries. An important book!!