It's the Yukon gold rush of 1899. Ben's an ordinary kid living in Dawson City. He's only heard of Arizona Charlie, "King of the Cowboys";: sharp-shooter, champion lasso twirler and fearless horseman.
In Julie Lawson's Arizona Charlie and the Klondike Kid (Orca $19.95) Ben finally sees Arizona Charlie, galloping through Dawson in pursuit of a runaway horse. With flying tassels and wild hair, the King of the Cowboys lassos the beast, raises his sombrero and waves to the cheering crowd. Ben longs to be a Wild West star just like Arizona Charlie.
Arizona Charlie invites Ben to perform his lasso tricks at the Palace Grand. The boy can't believe his luck. He's introduced as the "Klondike Kid."; To Ben's surprise, Charlie changes the act ten minutes before curtain. "Don't look so worried!"; Charlie says, handing Ben a glass ball. "You hold the ball, and I shoot it. My wife usually does it, but the other night a faulty bullet nicked the tip of her thumb.";
Julie Lawson learned of Arizona Charlie in 1998 when she lived in Dawson City. Arizona Charlie is illustrated by Kasia Charko. 1-55143-250-1

[SUMMER 2003 BCBW]