Scrib

Outstanding humor from a talented writer. Some of the scenes and images are laugh-out-loud funny. Parents, however, beware. Some words and topics are not suited for young readers. Curse words, topics of prostitution and drunkeness. All in all, Scrib is a great read for mature readers who enjoy young protagonists. Enjoy

Billy Christmas writes a goodbye letter to his mother on the night before his thirteenth birthday when he runs away from home. He takes his faithful horse, Gabe, and heads for the West, land of the cowboys and Indians. It is there that he stumbles onto his new occupation and his nickname, Scrib. All those lectures about grammar from his mother come in handy when he becomes a letter writer for lovestruck cowboys and hostile Indians. SCRIB is a story of a young man's experiences in the Wild West. The story, told in Scrib's own words, is lively and full of cowboy speak. Scrib has regular customers on his route and the reader meets all of them in this funny tale. What would a Wild West story be without danger and outlaws? Scrib solves the mystery of who has been robbing and killing ranchers all over his territory. This leads to plenty of action and suspense in the exciting climax. I have a word of caution for the youngest readers. Cowboy language is peppered with bad words, although they are disguised with dots and dashes in the text. Even so, the voice of Scrib rings true. He speaks just like I imagined a cowboy would. I found myself talking like him long after I put the book down. David Ives is also the author of MONSIEUR EEK, a story about a chimpanzee who is mistaken for a Frenchman. Ives went to Northwestern University and Yale School of Drama, and is best known for writing plays. SCRIB, his second novel for young readers, is sure to be a hit. --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)