The Great Turkey Walk

by Lois B on 2011-12-09
The Great Turkey Walk, by Kathleen Karr, was one of my favorites of all the books that I read this year. It is about Simon Green, a 15-year-old boy in Missouri in 1860. The book begins with Simon finishing school. He now has to decide what to do with his life. He has always liked birds, so he decides to walk 1000 turkeys to Denver, because he can get much more money for them there. Mr. Bidwell Peece, a mule driver, starts the journey with him. Along the way, an escaped slave, Jabeth Ballou, joins them. During the walk, they run into turkey rustlers, Indians, and the U.S. Cavalry. These people and others they encounter along the journey help Simon mature, and help him decide his future. I think this book ended well. I really enjoyed this book because it was funny, but it was serious sometimes, too. I like the way the author portrayed that time and way of life. The book is exciting, but it is also sometimes calm. And it is a book for all ages.

by V T on 2011-04-27
What a wonderful book. Absolutely 5 stars. Awesome. As a family we read this book aloud. We didn't want to put it down. Each chapter is a gem. This book is a keeper. The type you would tell everyone you know to read. Well written and just so much fun! Thank you Sonlight!!

by Christie R on 2011-01-15
Book review by Nathan, age 11 The Great Turkey Walk By Kathleen Karr Can 15 year old Simon Green walk 1,000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver? In the year 1860 Simon Green must walk 1,000 turkeys to Denver with the help of an old drover, Mr. Peece and Emmett, his loyal dog. On the way they meet Jabeth, a young Negro, who was an escaped slave, and a pretty sixteen year old girl called Lizzie. With their help Simon must out-fox turkey rustlers, get past Indians, escape locusts, and get to Denver un-harmed and with as many turkeys as possible. The Great Turkey Walk is my favorite school book this year. I liked how Jabeth caught fish with the knife. I also liked that Denver was where they sold the turkeys. My favorite parts were when Jabeth caught the fish with the knife, when Emmett attacked Mr. Cleaver, and when they agreed to stick together at the end. To find out how many turkeys reached Denver, the fate of the ones who didn’t, and how Arabian horses and camels fit into the story, you’ll just have to read it yourself!

by Jill V on 2010-12-02
Book review by Anna, age 9. The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr is about a 15 year old boy named Simon Green who takes a flock of about 1000 turkeys from Missouri, to Denver. On the way he finds three friends, (Mr.Peece, Jaybeth, and Lizzy,)and meets his long lost pa and his pa's friend Cleaver, who turn out to be turkey rustlers! He finally gets to Denver, and sells the turkeys at a price even bigger than he hoped for! It is a really funny, interesting, good book and I think you should read it too.

by MELINDA B on 2010-09-02
This book makes my top 13 list of Sonlight books. It's one I never would have come across if it were not for Sonlight. Hilarious. Unusual. We often give this as a birthday gift. Don't skip it.

by ELAINE S on 2010-01-12
Book review by Ruth Anne, age 9 Yee haw! Git along little...turkeys?!? In the book The Great Turkey Walk, by Kathleen Karr, Simon Green herds a thousand turkeys, not cattle, from Missouri to Denver. In 1860, Simon Green, Bidwell Peece, and Emmett (their dog) start a great turkey walk. While on their trip, Simon meets up with his long-lost Pa and his Pa's no-good friend Cleaver. It's a huge delay, but they move on with the journey. Later, they also meet up with Indians, soldiers, and (you wouldn't believe it) Pa and Cleaver once again! Simon uses his brain, his muscles and his friend to make everything right again. I like this book because it's full of hope, adventure, madness, and plenty of laughs. My favorite parts are the grasshopper attack and when they find Lizzie. You should read this book because it's funny, full of suspense, and just plain good.

by ROBIN E. W on 2009-05-21
Book review by Caleb, age 12 Round up the turkeys? In the Great Turkey Walk, by Kathleen Karr, fifteen year old Simon Green lives with his uncle’s family because his mother and father have died. After some consulting, he decides to set off on his own and start a business. With the help of his school teacher, and a mule skinner, he buys one thousand turkeys and takes them to be sold in Denver, Colorado. Along the way he makes both friends and an enemy. The enemy is his supposedly dead father Samson Green from a traveling circus that Simon visits on the way to Denver. Later on Samson tries to steal Simon’s turkeys, but soon pays for the ones that he lost. When they finally get to Denver, they run into both problems and surprises. At the end they start a turkey ranch near Denver. You’ll really enjoy this book exciting and funny.

by SUZANNE J on 2009-01-14
It is a very excellent book. It is very intriguing. You could read it all day and not get tired. written by Abi 4th grade

by AMY G on 2008-06-10
This is probably in the top 10 of our favorite sonlight books. You know it's good when the older sibling sneaks into the room to listen--and he already heard it before!

by Shannon S. on 2008-04-01
Fun, fun, fun! And in the middle of the fun you get to touch on some of the history you've been talking about in the past few weeks (soddies, slave/free states, westward expansion, etc.) Very likable characters. It does require explanations about alcohol and gambling.