carstensena's review
4.0
Very entertaining middle school humorous historical fiction about riverboat gambling. I think the kids are going to like this one!
katymvt's review
4.0
Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2021-a book with a spade, heart, club, or diamond on the cover.
If you're looking for something deep and meaningful, this probably isn't for you. But, it's a fun romp with a moral tale that is very evocative of Mark twain.
If you're looking for something deep and meaningful, this probably isn't for you. But, it's a fun romp with a moral tale that is very evocative of Mark twain.
librarybrods's review
3.0
liked it MUCH better than Horns and Wrinkles, but Zeb reminded me a lot of Homer Figg (who I also didn't love).
couillac's review
4.0
This one was a surprise, but Helgerson tells a great story! The young protagonist, Zeb, is sent off to St. Louis to learn a trade, but on the riverboat, he teams up with a wild gambler. Zeb is authentically naive and earnest, and his initial excitement for this new life is only tempered slightly by his guilt at disobeying his parents. This is clearly an homage to Tom Sawyer and similar river rats, but Helgerson pulls it off with style. Funny, engaging, cxciting, this one is worth a read!
yarnpirate's review
4.0
Fun, quick listen. The narrator was superb. I think this would have easily been a four star book for my if I'd read it when I was 10 or 12.
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