Wilson, John. Lost Cause. (Seven the Series)

Wilson, John.  Lost Cause. (Seven the Series)   Orca  211p  $9.95 978-1-55469-944-5 2012  ms/hs   E-BN      Realistic Fiction    

Steve has always dreamed of a European vacation, but not of meeting the realities of war face-to-face to solve a 75-year-old mystery in Barcelona. His grandfather’s will gives each of the seven grandsons a quest and the money to pursue it.  Steve, grandson number two, is sent to Barcelona, Spain.  With the great-granddaughter of a Spanish woman, Steve reads the journal his grandfather left behind and traces Grandfather’s footsteps through the Spanish Civil War.  As they meet people, Steve and the girl learn all about battle and the horrors of war.  They also discover the past love of Grandfather’s youth.

This is a story of great adventure and action that will introduce readers to a portion of history that is not familiar to most students.  There is a good mix of action and romance.  It is sure to appeal to upper middle-school and younger high-school students.  Seven the Series consists of seven titles, one for each grandson, and the special trip/quest he must undertake.  Each  title was written by a different author.

Spanish Civil War-Fiction, Adventure-Fiction               --Joan Theal

Wilson, John. Victorio’s War.

Wilson, John.     Victorio’s War. (Desert Legends Trilogy)  Orca  157p $12.95 978-1-55469-882-0       ms/hs       E-BN      Historical Fiction     

Jim Doolen has served as an army scout for the Buffalo Soldiers in Indian Territory.  Taken captive by the Apache and saved from execution by Wellington, a friend who is aligned with them, Jim lives to tell his tale.  The first part of the book sets the scene as Jim is sharing his last year’s experience as a scout and captive with Santiago, an old friend from the first book.  The author exhibits masterful storytelling -- readers will smell the dust, hear the whizzing bullets and arrows, and experience the conflicted loyalties that are all a part of the Jim’s story.  Jim must decide whom to support as the Apaches seek freedom and travel from their reservation to Mexico.  The Apache are pursued by either the U.S. or  Mexican armies, depending upon which side of the border they are on.  Jim comes to understand Native American spirituality, the power of storytelling, how lives can become intertwined, and the Apache desire for freedom.  By the end of the book, Jim sees his Apache friends dying with honor and the futility of the Indians seeking to establish their own homeland.  Could there be another trilogy in the offing chronicling the travels of Jim and the Indian girl he saves by buying her at auction?  This reviewer certainly hopes so.  This is an outstanding fast-paced tour of the Old West that will appeal to all ages, from grades 6 to 12.  Gritty battle scenes, conflicted loyalties, and harsh conditions make the Old West come alive for today's readers.         

Apache-Fiction, Buffalo Soldiers-Fiction, Historical fiction

                                                            -- Lois McNicol

Wilson, Diane Lee. Tracks.

Wilson, Diane Lee.   Tracks.  McElderry Books see Simon & Schuster, 2012.     275p.   $16.99.

ISBN 978-1-4424-2013-7       ms/hs   Historical Fiction        VG-BN                      

After the loss of his father to war in 1866, a thirteen-year-old Irish boy named Malachy Gormley joins the workers building the Transcontinental Railroad to earn money for his family.  He meets many men and is intrigued by the differences he observes in the Chinese workers.  His knowledge of the “Celestials” is based on prejudice, and he notes the callous mistreatment and derogatory remarks directed to the Chinese men by the American workers.
Lonely and curious, Malachy begins a tentative friendship with a Chinese boy.  The friendship grows over the two years of working together, forming a bond that leads Malachy to boldly defend his new friend against racial mistreatment.
Diane Lee Wilson has created a well-researched, insightful historical fiction novel.  Descriptions and dialogue accurately depict the prejudices and mistreatment of the Chinese workers on the Transcontinental Railroad.  The action, well-paced plot, and remarkable figurative language make the characters and story believable and exciting.  This is definitely a page-turner, as the reader roots for the survival and success of Malachy as well as the development of his friendship with Ducks.

Subject: Transcontinental Railroad -- Fiction                                                             Virginia McGarvey

Wilson, John. Ghost Town (Desert Legends Trilogy).

Wilson, John.   Ghost Town (Desert Legends Trilogy).  Orca, 2011.  172p.  $12.95.  ISBN 978-1-55469-879-0         ms/hs (Grades 7-12)   Historical Fiction E-BN              

There is plenty of gun fighting and violence in this easy-to-read novel about the Wild West. Although it is the second book in a trilogy, it can be read as a stand-alone.  As the story begins, James is riding out to find a life for himself.  He encounters Billy the Kid and tags along with him until James sees the violence that is always under the surface with The Kid.  James leaves the Kid to join the army.  Readers learn about the Buffalo Soldiers as well as the fight at the Alamo involving James Bowie and Davy Crockett.  Warring factions in New Mexico Territory are trying to control the sale of horses and supplies to the army, and James must take sides.  Should he support the corrupt suppliers, ride with Billy the Kid and his Regulators who are set on revenge, or be his own person?  Throughout the book, the theme of what makes a hero and a villain is explored, as well as the idea that both kinds of traits can reside in the same person.  After James survives a fierce shootout and firefight, he finds and mounts the horse he thought he would never see again and heads to Fort Stanton, where a new adventure, probably in the role of army scout, awaits him.  This is a perfect book for boys looking to experience life during the days of the Wild West and would enjoy reading about the action and violence of gunfights in times gone by.                          Lois McNicol

Wilson, John. Written In Blood.

Wilson, John Written In Blood
Orca 2010 157p 12.95
978-1-55469-270-5 ms/jr Southwest- fiction VG-BN


In the 1870’s a young boy leaves British Columbia to search for his father. In the course of his travels he meets many unique characters and learns that solving his past opens the door to new beginnings.
Jim Doolan is a young sixteen-year-old boy who leaves his settled existence in British Columbia with his mother to go hunting for his missing father. His journey starts with a schooner ride to San Diego where he buys a pony and tack before he sets off across the desert to Tucson. In the desert he meets a deceitful old timer (and companion) who robs him of his gun and pony leaving him vulnerable. Never the less Jim continues on to Tucson only to discover that one of the men who robbed him was in the saloon. He sets up an ambush to retrieve his money but ends up killing the robber. He also meets and old Indian who befriends him and a young Indian on the warpath whom he befriends. And so goes his life until he finally traces his father to a rancho in Mexico only to find that he is dead.
In the end Jim realizes that his story is part of all of the stories and events shared with him by people along his travels. So he decides to retrace his path and fill in the details with his friend.
The story is very well written and will appeal to young readers, especially boys. It is full of tension and adventure for the reader to embrace the cruelties of the era when the Southwest was growing. It is a great followup to his Death On The River that he wrote about the Civil War era. Historical McNeil, Linda

Wilson, Jacqueline. Kiss

Wilson, Jacqueline. Kiss
Roaring Press see Millbrook 2010 248p 16.99
978-1-59643-242-0 hs Realistic Fiction VG-BN
Sylvie has always been in love with her best friend, Carl, and she is waiting for their relationship to move from the platonic to the romantic. But Carl has other ideas. This realistic novel pulls the reader in right away, with very good characterizations, descriptions of teen social life (in the UK), lots of emotional honesty and good writing. Sylvie is a character with whom one can empathize, and yet at times you want to shake her and ask why she cannot see the obvious about her crush on Carl. Although it is easy to see where things are heading with their friendship, the reader will stick with this one because of the interesting situations and personalities involved in the story. Recommended for high school students, maybe even 8th graders. For high-school girls who like realistic fiction
Kennedy, Carol

Wilson, John. Death on the River.

Wilson, John. Death on the River.
Orca 2009 196p 12.95 978-1-55469-111-1 ms/jr

This is the story of Jake Clay, who joins the Union Army after his brother’s death. At the battle of Cold Harbour, VA. he is captured and sent to Andersonville. His story relates the horror, disease, and starvation soldiers underwent for the sake of freedom. Everyone knows that the Civil War was full of terror and devastation. These facts are brought out for the readers as they read through the trials and tribulations that Jake underwent.
As Jake describes the battle in VA. readers will see the cold hearted manner in which Generals sent their men into battle. You will glimpse what is it like to see your fellow soldiers dying and begging for help.
After his capture he is transported to Andersonville. The camp had over 30,000 soldiers. It was truly the survival of the fittest. The terrors of the camp overwhelmed him so he teamed up with Billy Shart, an opportunistic street kid who knew his way around the place. Many things happened during his stay in Andersonville that made Jake uncomfortable. Towards the end of the war Jake was haunted by the ghosts of those who died so he could live.
This is a well written book that will provide the reader with an understanding an insight into the perils of war. The author did a fantastic job of relating the cruelties of war without making it gruesome for young readers. Many times adolescents don’t realize the deadly undercurrents of some periods in our history. It needs to be brought into focus that participating in a war is not like playing a video game. Dead men do not come back to life. Linda McNeil