Action!

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Rosie, 13, can’t believe she is in California. Papa has found a ranch
with a view of the Santa Monica Mountains, and it is the perfect setting
for the Western-style movies he wants to make. He has even hired the
performers from a Wild West show to be actors and stunt riders for his
movies. Unfortunately, Rosie startles a horse and their best rider falls
and breaks his leg. His teenaged son, Zach, is put in charge of teaching
Rosie to ride. During their first lesson, the horses escape into the
hills and Rosie and Zach go after them. Rosie must face paralyzing fear
when the pair gets lost in the mountains and is pursued by a mountain
lion. Zach helps Rosie overcome her fear of the wilderness and in turn,
Rosie helps Zach overcome his fear of riding again. There is a tense
situation back at the ranch as some bandits attempt to steal all of the
horses, but in the end the bandits are captured and Rosie’s adventures
provide the plot for Papa’s first Western—starring Rosie.

The beginning of the movie-making industry in Hollywood is the
historical setting for this latest title in the Rosie series. Matas
includes a note about her research for the work that points to several
resources for further learning about that time. The story is genuinely
entertaining and full of larger-than-life action. Rosie is a wonderfully
vibrant and engaging character. Highly recommended.