The Great Turkey Walk - by Kathleen Karr (Paperback)

About the Book

Readers will gobble up this hilarious tale of a 15-year old boy who resolves to walk 1,000 turkeys from Missouri to Colorado. A "School Library Journal" Best Book of the Year and a "Publisher's Weekly" Best Book.

Book Synopsis

Yeeeeeee-haw! Git along, little . . . turkeys?

Big, brawny Simon Green, who's just completed third grade (for the fourth time), may not be book smart, but he's nobody's fool. When it's time to be done with school and make his way in the world, Simon hatches a plan that could earn him a bundle. He intends to herd a huge flock of bronze turkeysall the way from his home in eastern Missouri to the boomtown of Denver, where they'll fetch a mighty price. In the year 1860, the hazards of such a trek are many - how does one shepherd the birds across a river, for instance? - but Simon is undaunted. Accompanied by a faithful drover, and eventually to be joined by two boon companions, he undertakes the biggest journey of his young life, in this high-spirited Wild Wild West adventure by an acclaimed author of historical fiction.

From the Back Cover

Fifteen-year-old Simon Green has just completed the third grade (for the fourth time) when Miss Rogers tells him it's time he made his way in the world of 1860. Simon may not be book-smart, but he hatches a plan that could make him a fortune. He intends to herd one thousand turkeys from Missouri to Denver, where meat is scarce and fetches a high price. Bankrolled by Miss Rogers and accompanied by a loyal drover and his dog, four mules, and a wagonload of shelled corn, Simon undertakes the biggest journey of his young life in this wild Wild West adventure.

Review Quotes

"Readers will gobble up Karr's hilarious novel of a boy who resolves to walk 1000 turkeys from the Show-Me state to Denver, Colorado. Simon, who's 15 and newly graduated from the thrid grade, may not be too bright, but he figures he can make his fortune by buying Mr. Buffey's brinze turkeys for a quarter apiece and selling them in Denver for $5 each...The gifted Karr has a cheerful, sassy down-home writing style and a perfect pitch for dialogue." --Starred, Publishers Weekly

"Full of good humor and page-turning quest-style events...This novel begs to be read aloud." --Starred, School Library Journal

"A wide-open western epic, inspired by actual drives and featuring a cast of capable young people." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Kathleen Karr is the author of many novels for young readers, most recently Man of the Family. She lives with her family in Washington, D.C.