Mr. Tucket

Francis finds himself in trouble after lagging behind the wagon train, but then a mountain man shows up, and the fourteen year old boy finds himself growing up fast.

I really enjoyed this story. It was believable, realistic, authentic, but not too graphic.

Gary Paulsen's Mr. Tucket is an exciting story of capture and escape, friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. If you love the romance of the Old West, you'll love this book. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you can't stop turning the pages. This book also taught me many things about the Old West that I did not know about. I would defiantly read this book to my students because I think it is very imporrtant to teach them about the Oregon Trail and the Old West and this book does it.

Mr. Tucket is the 'handle' that 14 year-old Francis Alphonse Tucket receives from Mr. Grimes, a one-armed trapper. The two run across one another after young Francis is taken by Pawnees who have kidnapped him from the wagon train his folks are taking to Oregon. Grimes takes the boy under his wing once Tucket manages to allude the Indians and together they do some trapping and have some rootin' tootin' adventures.

Talking Points:::
This book was written for a younger audience than Paulsen's Young Adult books; such as the "Brian" series. It's listed at AR level 5.0 -- entering 5th Grade.

Like other Paulsen books this one includes interesting history facts. But unlike other books by this author it doesn't have the same degree of reflection. show more Which is to say it's a 'lighter read'. For example, although Francis didn't know what had happened to his family after they were attacked by the Pawnee, he wasn't particularly overcome with grief.

Paulsen is even handed with how he portrays peoples. Individuals might be bad, but not everyone in a particular culture.

The 4th Graders at my children's school all read this book and it was all they talked about for awhile. Thus, kid-tested and approved.

Myself:: I enjoyed "Mr. Tucket" a great deal. There's lots of action and, of course, Paulsen has done his research and has included some information about trappers and how captives were treated by western Indians. It's enough for younger readers to get the flavor of the times without going into some of the more horrendous experiences.

Pam T mini-review
booksforkids-reviews show less

Francis Tucket finds himself stolen by Indians from the wagon train his family is traveling to Oregon with. When the mysterious Mr. Grimes helps him escape, he must quickly learn the ways of the wilderness if he's going to have any hope of surviving.
Paulsen's story provides plenty of fast-paced action as well as interesting and varied characters, in a brief space. Many of them stand out, such as the Indian warrior Braid and Spot Johnnie.

Francis Tucket and his family were on a wagon train to Oregon. Francis got kidnapped by indians, then he was rescued by a mountain man. The mountain man and Frances worked together catching beavers. The mountain man taught Frances a lot, but at the end of the story they parted ways and Frances went with a new wagon train to try to find his parents.

Personal Reaction

I usually don't care for historical fiction or westerns, but this story was a page turner. This would be a good book to introduce children to western novels. The main character, Frances Tucket, is 14, so children will be able to relate to him. I thought it was a little unrealistic how hard this boy worked though and without complaining!

Classroom Extensions

-I would use this as show more a small group book during a history unit about the Oregon Trail. Each group would read a different Gary Paulsen story, then the whole class can share what they read and compare the stories.

- I could use this as a whole class book. I could read it to the class, then assign each child to read a chapter and write a summary and draw a picture. Then the children could present the story in order. show less

Summary: A boy, by the name of Francis Tucket, is on the Oregon Trail with his family. When he receives a rifle for his birthday he falls behind the wagon train while shooting it and is captured by Pawnees. He is rescued by a mountain man named Mr. Grimes. Through Mr. Grimes Francis learns how to ride a horse, shoot, a gun, and becomes Mr. Tucket.
SR: This book is very entertaining. I brought me back to the western days and the Oregon Trial. The book had sadness, happiness, and suspense in it. It also showed you what three different Indian Tribes acted like. Highly Recommended.
TR: Mr. Tucket is a fun and exciting book. This book takes the reader back in time and shows them what living with a mountain man (trapper) is like. The book shows show more the reader about “tough love”, perseverance, and shows the reader good morals. show less

This book is good because it makes you want to read more and while you are reading the book you can always imagine what it would be like to do what he did and go through all of that pain well that is what i did so if you want an intereting book then this is your book