Call Me Francis Tucket

by Gary Paulsen Narrated by John Randolph Jones

Overview

In 1848, fourteen-year-old Francis Tucket was kidnapped from an Oregon-bound wagon train by a Pawnee hunting party. But a one-armed mountain man named Mr. Grimes quickly rescued him and hid him from the hostile tribe. After a year in the mountain wilderness with Mr. Grimes, Francis decides to strike out on his own-to follow the dangerous trail to Oregon and find his family. Francis thinks he can handle just about anything-buffalo stampedes, gun-toting outlaws, and even the constant threat of tribal attacks. But when he finds two frightened children stranded in the wilderness, Francis takes on more than he bargained for. Suddenly, he's got a family of his own to protect all the way to Oregon. Call Me Francis Tucket continues the action-packed adventure that began in the critically acclaimed Mr. Tucket. With authentic detail and gritty honesty, Newbery Honor winner Gary Paulsen leads listeners deep into the American West and into Francis' remarkable tale of survival on the wild frontier.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In a starred review of this follow-up to Mr. Tucket, PW said that Paulsen "weaves in a wealth of information about pioneer travel, adding historical value to this heart-stopping good read." Ages 10-up. (Nov.)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-In this spirited sequel to Mr. Tuckett (Delacorte, 1994), Paulsen recounts the continuing frontier adventures of Francis Tuckett, 15. Heading west by wagon train with his family a year before, Francis had been captured by the Pawnees and rescued by a savvy, one-armed mountain man. Now on his own, he is determined to return to civilization. Armed with a rifle and knowledge of the wilderness, he hunts deer and buffalo, survives a stampede, and outwits a pair of outlaws. When an abandoned wagon reveals two orphans, he takes charge, taking the children to a trading post and hesitantly leaving them with the cold, calculating owner. Traveling 10 miles, the young man is haunted by his own loss of family and returns to find Lottie and Billy beaten and burdened with chores. With fierce determination, he reclaims them and together they continue their westward journey. Francis is an understated, appealing character. His remarkable independence, resourcefulness, and perseverance are tempered by bouts of adolescent insecurity and an emotional need for family. Sharply etched characters, vivid scenery, and dramatic encounters make this book an entertaining read for young adventurers.-Gerry Larson, Neal Middle School, Durham, NC

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171554606
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	02/14/2014
Series:	Francis Tucket Series , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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