The Misadventures of Maude March
by Audrey Couloumbis© 2005, 304 pages Level 5 (all about levels)Amazon Reviews
I never thought I'd have so much fun with a Western, but The Misadventures of Maude March proved me wrong. Orphaned at an early age, 11-year-old Sallie March and her 15-year-old sister Maude live a sober yet peaceful existence with their Aunt Ruthie. When their aunt is killed as a bystander to an accidental shootout, they go to live with a local preacher's family. When conditions there become unbearable, Maude and Sallie decide to head west in hopes of finding their mother's brother, whom they haven't seen in years. Between their hurried departure and incidents along the way, Maude gains a reputation for being a crazed outlaw. Told in the wry point of view of Sallie, who is so excited to try out life as a range rider after all the dime-store novels she's read, the story is mostly about the girls trying to survive their journey and the people they meet along the way. It's funny, smart, and a perfect introduction to the Western genre for those who've never experienced it before. I listened to this as an audiobook, and it would be an ideal choice for any road trip across western territory!
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