Publishers Weekly
A gritty, you-are-there look at the Civil War makes a solid, compelling listen as William O. Steele's 1959 Newbery Honor book, The Perilous Road, comes to audio. With often steely sounding determination and a slight southern twang, Ram n de Ocampo narrates as bitter Tennessee teen Chris Brabson, who hates Yankees and the many confusing battle lines that arise in a nasty war. Steele's 1954 wilderness survival story, Winter Danger, is simultaneously released. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-Eleven-year-old Caje Amos learns to be part of a family and a safe home in Newbery Honor winner William O. Steele's historical novel (Harcourt, 1954). Caje's taciturn father has raised him to be a "woodsy," always on the move, hunting and trading, trying to stay alive. Jared Amos adamantly believes that neither he nor his son should be beholden to anyone, ever. When they're forced by the worst Tennessee winter on record to stay with Caje's aunt and uncle, the boy is excited to have the opportunity of being warm and safe, well-fed, and on a farm. His father can only bear it for a short time before abandoning his son in the middle of one harsh winter night. There are plenty of exciting scenes involving Indians, bears, hungry wolves and a panther, illness and starvation due to the unusual weather. Caje eventually realizes that he belongs with this family; being beholden just means that he'll be able to return the favor eventually. Actor Richard Brewer does a fine job of narrating this adventure, using different voices to emphasize the slang and strange words of the time. The introduction, written by Jean Craighead George, is a bit too long and gives away too much of the story. A good historical novel for reluctant readers, especially boys.-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
From the Publisher
"This is one of Mr. Steele's best books, an engrossing, realistic story of a Tennessee mountain boy who, during the Civil War, comes to realize that war is terrible no matter where one's sympathies lie."—Publishers Weekly
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OCT/NOV 05 - AudioFile
The story of the Civil War from a boy's perspective takes listeners along with a young Rebel as he goes from hating the Yankees to realizing they aren't much different from him and his family. Sounding neither young nor Southern, Ramon de Ocampo fails to deliver the character of Chris believably. But listeners who focus on the story of the painful deprivation and suffering on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line will be introduced to a realistic portrayal of our nation’s greatest conflict. A.G.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
