In some ways this is like the boys' version of Little House on the Prairie. But judging by its bestseller status, a lot of adults were reading it, too. Appeals to nostalgia, to a time when it seemed that life was simpler, people were closer to God and nature, neighbors knew each other. I'm so glad I didn't live back then.

Father 'teaches' the downright naughty Ralph lessons in being a man. He's a slow learner, but, "I always loved him more after he scolded me than I did at any other time." (Actually, a reader is given the impression that spankings were doled out as often as scoldings, and those, too, strengthened the bond between them.)

"Grace could ride a stacker horse just as well as I could and she didn't think it was fair that I got all the money-making opportunities while she had to stay at home and help Mother." And since she is two years older than Ralph, when he goes off at age 11 to be a cowboy, she gets her wish.

"You know, Son, sometimes a fellow has to take a licking for doing the right thing. A licking only lasts a short while, even if its a hard one, but failing to do the right thing will often make a mark on a man that will last forever."

If you like that sort of thing, it's a five star book. Me, not so much. No interest in the sequels. ( )

I've had this book since I purchased the audio version for a family road trip. We never listened back then. It's a typical old-fashioned, coming-of-age morality story. I enjoyed the early parts more than the 2nd half. ( )

Really good coming of age account of a young boy in Colorado on a ranch. About some useful life lessons he learned etc. Kind of a Little House on the Prairie from a boy's perspective. ( )

I should maybe wait until the emotions from the last chapter have passed; but from the very first chapters, I had already decided this is a book that every single one of my children will read, and each of the books in the series are on my to-read list, at least mentally.

The language of the book is so beautiful, the way Moody simply describes his life and activities. It’s plain-spoken and matter-of-fact, but there’s almost a poetry to it, and the narrator describes things just enough to get a good idea of the places and people and how he feels about them and not a word more. There’s an ease to his storytelling, and the adventures this young boy has are exciting and contain just the right amount of danger. I was also constantly in love with Moody’s relationship with his father. He learns so much from him and he loves and respects his father so fully, and he finds such beautiful ways to express it. And any man who is able to teach his son so much about life with a soft word and firm actions, but also so much trust and regard is certainly a man to be admired. It about broke my heart when the last chapter came around and it was obvious what was to come.

I have tomboys and girls who love horses and one little boy who loves a good story. This whole series is destined to be added into our home’s bookshelves, and read for years to come. ( )

I think I would have been fascinated with this book as a kid, but as an adult I find the pace just a little too fast. I like to relax with a book, and this is not the book for that. It moves at a rapid clip from one scene to the next and is a great view of the west at the turn of the century. Highly recommend for late grade-schoolers or middle-schoolers. ( )