The Adventurous Deeds
of Deadwood Jones
by Helen Hemphill

    THE ADVENTUROUS DEEDS OF DEADWOOD JONES by Helen Hemphill
    Category:  Historical
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  11/2008
    Publisher:  Front Street
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Prometheus Jones (gotta love his name!) is a young black boy turned cowboy.  After the death of his mother and the
    luck of winning a one-eyed horse, Prometheus heads west along with his eleven-year-old cousin named Omer.  
    Prometheus has headed to Texas to find the father he never knew.  

    THE ADVENTUROUS DEEDS OF DEADWOOD JONES doesn't hesitate to describe the rough and often
    dangerous life of the cowboy.  The two young cowboys get themselves jobs with a cattle driving company and the
    adventure begins.  There is enough cattle roping, gun slinging, and run-ins with Indians to satisfy the wildest western
    lover.  Readers will learn about the dangers of stampeding cattle, swimming rushing rivers, and facing the possibility
    of being scalped by the Sioux.  

    Author Helen Hemphill offers something a bit different than the usual YA material.  Her description of being a black
    cowboy in a world of mostly white cattle-drivers provides an interesting historical perspective most books don't
    include.  Also, the fact that the hard-working, courageous characters are quite young compared to modern-day
    working teens provides not only entertainment, but also a heads-up that today's kids don't have it so bad at all.