Addie Slaughter

Addie Slaughter by Susan L. Krueger

About The Book:

Before most of today's children have spent even one day on their own without a caretaker, young Addie Slaughter braved Indian attacks, outlaws, smallpox, earthquakes and blizzards in Susan L. Krueger's historical chapter book, Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo. In first-person narrative, Krueger expertly speaks for Addie Slaughter, daughter of John Horton Slaughter, a Texas Ranger, the Sheriff who tamed Cochise County and an early settler of the San Bernardino Valley in the late 1800s. The adventurous, sometimes heartbreaking, story tells of Addie s trek across the Wild West from Texas to Arizona to Oregon, eventually settling on the Slaughter Ranch near the Arizona-Mexico border. Along the way, her mother dies; she narrowly escapes a stagecoach robbery; her grandfather is rescued when their adobe ranch buildings collapse in an earthquake; her father's earlobe is shot off; and Addie meets the fierce warrior Geronimo. I wanted to show young readers that history is anything but boring, explains Krueger, a teacher for 32 years before retiring in 2000. When told with passion and realism, history is exciting, inspiring and captivating. Krueger's book is based on actual stories told to Adeline Greene Parks by her mother, Addie Slaughter, and in-depth interviews with Arizona Culture-keeper Dr. Reba Wells Grandrud, the John H. Slaughter Ranch historian. Most of the book's photographs come from Slaughter family albums and the collection of Dr. Grandrud. Though retired, Krueger works now as much as she ever has. She joined the Phoenix Art Museum docent program and is currently their research chair. In addition to writing research papers, she gives slide show talks and is available for classroom visits to talk about writing, history, art and her book. 

My Thoughts:

This is a great book for anyone who loves history. But I especially think this book is great for kids. It is a story, which is also a reality, and they can learn from it, while enjoying that story as well. I like that the book is a chapter book, which I think are good for kids to read. Not too long, and not too short. I like that there are pictures to accompany the story as well, so it makes more personal, and helps you visualize the things Addie is talking about in the book. This story was very nicely put together.

About The Author:

Susan Krueger is a retired reading specialist who taught at the jr. high and elementary level in public schools. Although she has written everything from family history, children's stories, and art-related research papers, this is her first book. It was inspired by a trip to the Slaughter ranch in southern Arizona. The book is based on the research of Reba Wells Grandrud, the historian on the restoration of the Slaughter Ranch and the stories Addie told her daughter Adeline Greene Parks.

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I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.