Write2Ignite

Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy

At the center of Shirley Miller Kamada’s historical Young Adult novel, Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy, is 17-year-old Zachary Whitlock; a Quaker who holds to his faith.

When the opportunity comes in 1948 for Zachary to volunteer with Floyd Schmoe’s small team from the Heifer Project to take 200, mostly pregnant, goats by cargo ship to post-WWII Japan, he goes.

Zachary’s Voyage

Filled with enough historical details to inform without overwhelming, Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy is a well-written, fast-paced, story full of emotion and courage.

As we follow Zachary on his trip across the Pacific, we witness his adjustment to the new surroundings. We are right there with him as he faces the challenges of sea travel with a boatload of pregnant goats, one who gives birth to triplets during a typhoon.

Zachary’s View of Post-WWII Japan

After Zachary unloads the goats in Japan he spends time with a Japanese family. Here, he witnesses the devastation and destruction of Tokyo and the surrounding area that occurred near the end of WWII.

In presenting these details, Kamada gives facts from both sides.

Zachary’s Involvement with Heifer International 

What I found most interesting were the details of Floyd Schmoe and the Heifer Project. Over the years, I have given gifts from the Heifer International catalog. Reading Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy gave me a new admiration for Floyd Schmoe and his desire to help others in a very real, sustainable way.

If you are looking for an interesting novel filled with accurate historical details about a group of volunteers who brave the Pacific Ocean on a cargo ship carrying 200, mostly pregnant goats, to help people in Japan following WWII, then Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy should be on your To Be Read pile.

I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. Which is exactly what I gave.

To read my review from last year of Clem the Clumsy Camel, go here.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Here’s what you can expect from me. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.