Historical: "Revolver"

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Sedgwick, Marcus. Revolver. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2009.

1899 in the Arctic frontier was a time of hope, greed, steadfastness, and despair. In this wild north one family is caught between their faith and their years of desperation. All this while in the company of their constant silent companion, the Colt revolver.

When Sig's father is found dead, frozen on the ice within a mile of their cabin, Sig must assume responsibility for his sister Anna and his stepmother Nadya. He sends them for help and he elects to stay with the dead body of his father which is laid out on the table. This brave gesture leaves him alone with only stifled tears when the knock comes at the door.

There at the door stands a giant of a man, a man with a face not, "stroked into creation by God's loving hand, but battered into shape by the Devil's hammer." This man would send Sig's world crashing down on him as he accuses Sig's father of stealing a horde of gold ten years ago in Nome. Wolff's story makes Sig question everything he knew about his father while at the same time remembering everything his father taught him.

As he is tested and terrified by the stranger, he also remembers his dead mothers quiet whisper, "have faith." All the while thinking about the colt revolver hidden in the box. Does Sig dare to use the gun? Are his mother's children murderers? Will Wolffe use the gun he's brought?Read this story to find out which will rule the hour, Sig, the murderer, or the Revolver.