Tag Archives: ranch

368A: Fighting animals and villains on a ranch

I’m looking for a YA or MG book about a teen boy who lives on a ranch (New Mexico? west Texas?), his cousin Horace comes to visit for summer which he thinks will ruin his summer but Horace turns out to be a good guy who can ride and shoot and they become good friends.  There is a mountain lion or cougar that kills his dad’s prize bull Red Toro so they go out to find the cougar, Horace shoots it with a great shot.  Along the way there are some villains who are trying to jump a gold claim, Horace sprains his ankle, has to be hauled out by the boy on an Indian trapezoid carry deal, they fool the bad guys into fording the river where there is quick sand and all ends well.  Can’t remember title.  Book had line drawings, and I think the cover was edged in burnt orange or brown. 

315P: Ranch Tales

Kids on ranch learn about The West.  Large hardcover with text down the middle and line drawings down outside edges.  Stories: a flash flood can catch you unaware; cooking buffalo tongue with vinegar/brown sugar sauce; climber thinks cactus puncture is rattlesnake bite and dies of fright.

227E: City boy and crusty mountain man thwart horse rustlers, catch and tame wild mustang

Young adult book; city boy spends the summer in the high country with aunt and uncle who are about to lose their ranch; crusty loner/family friend takes boy into the mountains for a few weeks; they catch and tame wild a mustang and thwart horse rustlers and save aunt and uncle’s ranch.