- Author: Ralph Moody
- Read Aloud Grade Range: 3 - Adult
- Read Alone Grade Range: 5 - Adult
- Trimester(s): 2
- Illustrated Content
- Binding: Pb
- Pages: 260
- Included in these packages:
Ralph is barely 8 years old when his family moves to Colorado for the sake of Dad's health, and the family tries to make a go of it on the ranch. Classic true story of ranching in Colorado in the early 1900's.
Young as he is, Ralph becomes his dad's full partner. A "you-are-there" look at life in cowboy country among loving neighbors and murderous competitors will keep you on the edge of your seat. First day of school, trick riding, Indians, fearsome wind storms, gun fights, and a whole lot more! Some raw language.
Pb, illus. (Used in Core E)
Average Rating:

9 Reviews
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by Tiffani W on 2011-08-12
This is probably our favorite Sonlight book. Our boys and girls alike loved it. We are just about finished reading the next book in the series and can't wait to read all of them. It is packed full of character lessons, exciting stories and a description of another time in American History. We are inspired by Ralph and his family and sometimes sad that we aren't living back then. :) I highly recommend this book!
by Julie N on 2011-03-12
Since we live in Colorado, we especially liked this book. Ralph writes so lovingly and respectfully about his father and all the hard lessons learned as a boy on a ranch. It was pretty long and probably not one of our favorites. We tended to get bogged down in the descriptions of horses, cows, and rodeos with a lot of terms we weren't familiar with.
by MARLO C on 2010-01-13
Terrific book! This is probably one of my favorite read alouds so far. The relationship between the father and the son is touching, the character lessons are valuable, while at the same time, the storyline is entertaining. My boys couldn't wait to read each day.
by GINA N on 2009-07-30
This is a wonderful book! Both my 4yo and 9 yo sons were glued to it. My 9yo soaked up the lessons on character and hard work, and I saw welcome changes in him afterward! How many books can claim that?
by DAWN B on 2009-04-25
My son absolutely loved this book and wants to read all of the sequels. I loved how the character lessons were memorable lines. We quoted them for weeks after finishing.
by SONJA K on 2009-02-16
What an incredible book about a boy learning to be a man. We loved this so much, we jumped right into the next book! A "must read"!
by Shannon S. on 2008-04-01
Wonderful book! The importance of integrity and character shines through a story that is at times so funny you can barely read aloud for laughing, and at times so touching you can barely read aloud for crying.
by Kelby H. on 2008-02-04
Now how many books are so memorable and meaningful that it inspires the reader to name her own horse after one of the characters? My husband and I both strive to emulate Father and Mother's characteristics. Truly inspiring and full of grit!
by Unity D. on 2007-11-24
My 9 yo son absolutely adored this book and asked me to please buy him the sequels. He also brought the book to his dad and told him he just had to read it. I, too, loved it and empathized at least as much with the mother of the story as with the young hero!