Arizona Charlie and the Klondike Kid

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Ben idolizes Arizona Charlie, a flamboyant Wild West star who has come
to Dawson City and the Klondike gold rush. After he spies on his hero
practising, Ben teaches himself to twirl a lasso and shoot a slingshot
until he, too, becomes proficient. When Arizona Charlie invites him to
perform at the Palace Grand, Ben is overjoyed and, deciding he needs an
appropriate name, comes up with the Klondike Kid. The night of his
debut, however, Ben succumbs to stage fright and runs from the theatre
without performing. Shortly after the show, he redeems himself by
lassoing an escaping thief, earning both his new nickname and the
admiration of his hero.

Beautifully illustrated by Kasia Charko, this story of the Wild West
will fast become a favourite. Using warm earth tones and adding plenty
of historical detail, Charko has created dramatic scenes that capture
the adventurous nature of Lawson’s compelling story. Ben personifies
every child’s dream of glamorous fame, and his stage fright and
subsequent embarrassment are palatable. Lawson has built her story
around the real Arizona Charlie, who opened the Palace Grand in Dawson
City in 1899. This is a wonderful collaboration that deserves a place in
all Canadian schools and libraries. Highly recommended.