Myers, Walter Dean

New York. 1992. Harper Collins. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0060208449. 140 pages. hardcover. Jacket art by Charles Lilly. keywords: Young Adult African American Literature Old West. FROM THE PUBLISHER - ‘I, Artemis Bonner, in order to explain why I am going to kill a low-lifed and sniveling scoundrel called Catfish Grimes, am writing down the whole story, and the truth as well.' In 1880 fifteen-year-old Artemis Bonner sets out from New York City to avenge the murder of his uncle Ugly Ned Bonner and find the gold mine he sketched from memory as he lingered on his deathbed. With only his uncle's map and the strength of True Determination, Artemis travels from Mexico to the Alaskan Territory, tracking the murderous scalawag Catfish Grimes and his sweet-voiced but equally tough female companion, Lucy Featherdip. In Lincoln, New Mexico, he teams up with a twelve-year-old half Cherokee with the unlikely name of Frolic, and together they pursue the gold and the Evildoers. Finally, there is a shoot-out in front of the Bird Cage Saloon, right where Uncle Ugly met his Untimely Demise: ‘When I count to three,' Catfish called out, go for your gun!' Soon as he said ‘one,' both of us drew.' In this funny novel, Walter Dean Myers takes the reader on a wild romp through the Old West at a time when, with a little Good Luck, a young man's Honesty and True Determination could overcome almost any obstacle. inventory #8244 ISBN: 0060208449.