Super Cowboy Rides

by Daris Howard

This is a great book geared toward middle school and older, boys and girls. However, the author states that he had a class of 2nd graders send him letters saying that they loved the book; as well as senior citizens that loved it and said it brought back lots of memories. I admit that I read the book from beginning to end and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is written from the perspective of six-year-old Tommy and will keep you laughing at his escapades. Tommy’s adventures made me think back to when my boys were young and brings back some great memories.The last couple of chapters are a bit of tear-jerkers so make sure you have some tissues handy.

     Meet six-year-old Tommy Johnson, Super Cowboy and Super Story-teller. In SUPER COWBOY RIDES, Daris Howard captures boyhood in rural America, as seen through the eyes of his precocious, adventurous narrator. 

     Want to build a box to capture wild cats that roam the farm? How about tips on catching a greased pig at the fair, or teaching a stubborn lamb to avoid being trampled by angry milk cows? 

     From the first paragraph, when Tommy explains why a boy needs a dog for a pet instead of a cat, he wins us over with his down-to-earth and humorous view of the world. 

     But once Tommy begins school, things get complicated. He cannot learn to read. He gets picked on by his teacher2 and mocked by classmates. And when tragedy strikes to shatter his idyllic world even further, Tommy must carry a burden far beyond what any first-grader should have to face. In the process of dealing with his grief, Tommy learns the meaning of true friendship.

Daris Howard also has a selection of books with short stories called Life’s Outtakes Books. Each book contains 52 stories, one for each week, from the popular story column Life’s Outtakes. These stories are a humorous and inspirational view of community and family life. 

This column is read and enjoyed in newspapers and magazines across the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Each story will keep you laughing and/or make you think deeply about what is really important in life.

These short stories are very entertaining and easy to read. Most contain around 700 words and can be read in only a few minutes. These would be great books to carry with you when you’re going someplace you may have to wait a while, like a doctor’s office or dentist. I always seem to be in the middle of a chapter when I’m called in for my appointment. Since these are short stories that shouldn’t be a problem.

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Would you like to read one of Life’s Outtakes books for FREE?  “All’s Well Here (Life’s Outtakes – Year 2) 52 Humorous and Inspirational Short Stories” will be available for free Kindle download through Sunday, Sept 2, 2012 ONLY!

Daris has generously agreed to provide a copy of his book Super Cowboy Rides and one of his Life Outtakes books to one lucky winner of this giveaway. 

Enter on the Giveaway form below for your chance to win.

All entries will be verified.

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 You can find more giveaways to enter on my Ongoing Giveaway Linky and at Online Sweepstakes.