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Book Summary: This book tells the story of the experience of the rodeo. The experience is given through the eyes of a spectator and through the eyes of a competitor, at different times. It specifically discusses the Navajo rodeo, but not so specifically that the information doesn't apply to most rodeos. It begins with the empty stadium, then describes the excitement of a variety of events, including bronco riding, barrel racing, calf tying, and team roping, among others. Each page has an italicized blurb that serves as the announcer speaking, a poem describing the event or experience, and an informational paragraph or two explaining the event and how competitors train for it. The intermission is even described, complete with midway snacks and vendors. At the end of the book, the reader returns to the empty stadium, this time at sunset. Beautiful color photographs of the rodeo and of western landscapes illustrate the book.
APA Reference:
Flood, B. (2013). Cowboy up! Ride the Navajo rodeo. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Wordsong.
Impressions: The poetry in this book is only average, in my opinion, but kids might like it. It's short, lighthearted, and captures the senses and feelings of the rodeo, both from the points of view of participants and spectators. To me, what stands out about this book are the informational paragraphs and photographs. I actually learned a lot about the rodeo from this book, and it is nice that it is versatile enough to be used as part of a poetry or nonfiction unit. I also thought it was interesting that, as a reader, you catch a glimpse of the Navajo culture, but it's not heavily done. It really is a book about the rodeo, and I could recognize most of the events and features from the few Fort Worth rodeos I've attended.
Professional Review (from Library Media Connection):
"Wow! After reading this book I feel like I just spent a day at the rodeo. I may actually plan a trip to see one live. Through narrative poetry and prose, the author takes the reader to the rodeo. The poetry would be amazing for any lesson where examples are needed to show how to describe something or show emotions. As if the poetry did not tell the entire story, it is supported by more in-depth prose. The photographs help support the text as well. Not being familiar with the rodeo, I checked with a real rodeo champ and he said that the book is accurate. Stacy Rosenthal, Ed.D., Librarian, Council Rock High School, Holland, Pennsylvania."
Rosenthal, S. (2013). Cowboy up! [Review of the book, Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo
rodeo by B. Flood]. Library Media Connection, 32(2), 92.
Library uses: I worked in Fort Worth ISD, and the stock show and rodeo are a really big deal each winter. We even had a "Stock Show Day," which is a teacher work day where kids have free stock show tickets. Some grade levels also get to take tours as field trips. This book would be a great one to get kids excited about it, and to explain the different animals, what types of things they will see/saw (depending on if it's read before or after visiting the stock show), and the different events of the rodeo. The book could be read in the library prior to visiting, and students could write and/or draw about what they hoped to see. After the trip, students could write or draw about what they actually saw and how it compared to the book. They could even create their own picture books or collages, with or without their own poetry or prose, about their stock show experience, inspired by Cowboy Up!.
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