The El Dorado Map

The Eldorado Map delivers a reading adventure brimming with grit and brio, a tall tale of the Old West tinged with magical realism. A man in black, buffalo riders and shapeshifters, a murderous Pa, Pony Express riders and gangs of outlaws: all these forces collide seeking a treasure map that leads to a legendary city. Sure to please readers of all ages, this imaginative journey is held together by the compelling voice of a boyish narrator, Cody, lost in the Freelands, where he faces the hardest choice of all: “The trigger felt dangerous, as if he, too, might die if he pulled it. Pa, he knew, would have already killed the man…Cody closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He thought of Mrs. Ryder and the baby that would soon be born, the world where she would live. He remembered his mother, somewhere beyond this world. He wondered what things he would tell her when they finally met. He didn’t want this to be one of them…”

Yes, a middle grade novel, but so full of adventure and wonderfully-written characters that anybody will love it. I couldn't put it down.http://rebeccafjellanddavis.com/the-el-dorado-map-by-michael-o/The book's adventure is heightened by "mythical creatures and legendary beings"--and O'Hearn weaves this magic realism so seamlessly, I believe it all. The perfect gift for a young male reader, or for any young-at-heart reader who loves adventure and the old west. Beautifully done. I'm ready for a sequel. Bring it on!