Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo by Susan L. Krueger

A book review for young readers

Addie Slaughter was the daughter of John Horton Slaughter, an Arizona cattle rancher who served as sheriff in the Wild West town of Tombstone for several years beginning in 1886. The story is about Addie's life from age five until her marriage. Designed for classroom use, the book skims fairly quickly through a large number of interesting events and is less a true novel than a lightly fictionalized historical account presented as Addie's first-person story. Students will likely find it more interesting than a purely factual overview of Arizona history, but less absorbing than a novel which brings its characters more vividly to life.

Struggling readers will appreciate the short sentences and easy vocabulary. Unfamiliar words are usually explained in the text. Boys will be interested in many of the anecdotes, even though a girl tells the story. Addie tells readers, 'One man said Papa was the "meanest good guy who ever lived". Although he was never mean to us, I think I know what that man meant.... Willie asked him one time how he got the bad men to give up and Papa said, "I just say real quiet, 'Lay down or be shot down'." Willie said the way Papa said it gave him the shivers!'

Historical photographs of Addie Slaughter, her family, Geronimo, and some of the Slaughter family's property and keepsakes illustrate the book. Because the story is told from Addie's point of view, it reflects the attitudes of white settlers of her time about Native Americans; although sympathetic, its perspective can sometimes seem narrow. Teachers may want to provide balance with a novel about the Native American experience. (2011; 75 pages, including additional historical background and a Curriculum Guide. Recommended for ages 9-12.)