Hank Of Twin Rivers by M.C. Arvanitis ~ review

File Size: 357 KB Print Length: 117 pages Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited Publisher: Agate Beach Press (July 15, 2013) Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. Language: English

   Plagued by a monster goose which nips him whenever it gets close and his shame in Pa's disappointment in him, twelve-year-old Hank Heaton hides in daydreams and book reading. What else can he do? He can't make himself grow taller and, now that the cholera has weakened his leg and he finds himself limping, he feels even more inadequate. The disease took away his mother so he doesn't have her to comfort him, to be "coddled" as Pa calls it. Hank's only comforts are his pet cow, Clementine, and Ma's fun-loving, fiddle-playing brother, Uncle Mac. When Pa decides to homestead on land in western Nebraska, Hank rebels at leaving his school and friends. Pa's discipline is quick and painful and Hank has to obey. Unpredictable mid-western weather, stampeding buffalo, and murdering claim jumpers make life miserable on the prairie trail. Hank finds friends in Rusty, a rich southern boy from Missouri; Nora, a teasing eight-year-old girl from Wisconsin; and Moses, an escaped slave. But life really get interesting when he meets another complication to his life, the feisty, red-haired preacher's daughter. Historically correct, this novel takes readers into the exciting and dangerous adventures of a pioneer boy.

My take on this book: Hank of Twin Rivers was such a delightful read that I honestly hated to see it end! It's the story of young Hank Heaton,and takes place in 1855. Hank and his family live in a soddy along  Buck Creek in a small Iowa settlement. It was the spring of  that year when Hank was on the verge of turning twelve that his whole world changed.You see young Hank lost his beloved mother and young sister Amanda to cholera. While Hank recovered from the dreaded ailment he was troubled with a weakened leg, but the worst thing was the fact that his pa  changed, and he would no longer call Hank by his name instead he called him boy.. There is one person Hank can  rely on, his uncle Mac, who often softens the harshness that his father doles out. He does have a pet cow and is often plagued by a mean goose that loves to attack him. When his father decides to leave their home and head to Nebraska to homestead, Hank doesn't want to go but has no choice. Will they make it west, and what adventures await young Hank ? One things for certain, Hank's life is about to change forever!

This young adult read is a wonderfully written adventure that allows readers to step back in time and travel along with Hank and his family as they move west. Ms. Arvanitis expertly creates a very endearing character in Hank, who fights his emotions because his pa says that Heaton men don't show their emotions in public, but young Hank certainly grieved the loss of his ma and sister. So often I wanted to reach into the pages and not only hug Hank but also kick his father for being so harsh, but then the author did something surprising, she had me feeling sympathy for Hank's father, allowing me to glimpse his hurts as well! The descriptions of characters and setting grabbed my imagination and wouldn't let go. I found myself imagining young Hank freckles and red hair, I watched him  walk across the prairie, sometimes picking up buffalo chips, and sometimes getting into a few dangerous scrapes. The sights and sounds that are woven into the book, from a brush with Indians to teasing that Nora inflicted upon Hank as they traveled together, flows together so well that once I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. I found myself laughing out loud when the goose refused to stay behind, but also felt sadness when he had to give up his a pet. I figured this story might be similar to Little House on the Prairie, but honestly it was richer, more detailed and realistic, because there is struggle, and hurt, but there is also joy and hope within the pages of this coming of age story. Perfect reading for young adults but honestly I think it will appeal to adults as well. Hank of Twin Rivers is story that left this reader anxious for the next book in the series! 

Reviewed for Readersfavorite.com