I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man must deliver a herd of goats across the ocean to survivors of the atomic bombs in Japan after WWII in author Shirley Miller Kamada’s “Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy.”
The Synopsis
Zachary Whitlock knows sheep. He knows farming and knows what it’s like to have his best friend forced into an internment camp for Japanese Americans. What he does not know much about is goats and traveling by sea on cargo ships, yet he makes a decision to go with a group of volunteers to Japan to help deliver a herd of more than two hundred goats, many of which are pregnant, to survivors of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The Review
This was such a powerful and unique coming-of-age story. Exploring a rarely looked at point in history, the book’s narrative follows a young man who witnessed a lot growing up, from the start of WWII to his good friends and neighbors being imprisoned in an internment camp after Pearl Harbor, and finally the aftermath of the two atomic bombs that destroyed parts of Japan. The author expertly weaves descriptive imagery to perfectly showcase the harsh sea voyage and the care these goats receive, all while exploring the more emotional core of the historical events surrounding the protagonist.
The story’s larger themes came to life in a fast-paced narrative that captivated the reader. The way the story explores the harsh realities of war, from internment camps and the loss so many Americans felt after WWII, fueling these actions, to the horrors of the bombs on the people of Japan, this story really gave YA readers a lot to discuss. The examination of faith and how it shapes our approach to situations where we want to do the right thing, and, of course, the higher cost of nuclear war, kept the reader invested as the narrative itself became more personal and emotionally driven.
The Verdict
Engaging, thoughtfully written, and memorable, author Shirley Miller Kamada’s “Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy” is a must-read coming-of-age YA historical fiction read. The balance the author found in storytelling, bouncing back and forth between the protagonist’s life on his family farm and the trip to Japan, and the artful, majestic imagery the author’s detailed writing brought to life, will keep readers invested in this fantastic story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Shirley Miller Kamada grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado. She has been an educator in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, a bookstore-espresso café owner in Centralia, Washington, and director of a learning center in Olympia, Washington. Her much-loved first novel, NO QUIET WATER, was a Kirkus recommended title and a finalist for several awards. When not writing, she enjoys casting a fly rod, particularly from the dock at her home on Moses Lake in Central Washington, which she shares with her husband and two spoiled pups.
You can follow the author at:
https://shirleymillerkamada.com/
https://www.instagram.com/shirleymkamadaauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyMillerKamada
https://www.facebook.com/shirley.miller.1042032
https://bsky.app/profile/shirleymkamada.bsky.social
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zachary-shirley-miller-kamada/1147749101?ean=9781685136406
Blog Tour Calendar
November 3 @ The Muffin
Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada. We interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy of the book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
November 5 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi’s blog for her review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
November 8 @ Sarandipity
Visit Sara’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about Marshall strawberries.
November 10 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about owning a coffee shop and bookstore.
November 12 @ Storey Book Reviews
Visit Leslie’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about the day her mother took a chainsaw to their sofa.
https://www.storeybookreviews.com
November 14 @ Nicole Writes About Stuff
Visit Nicole’s Substack newsletter for a weekend contribution by Shirley Miller Kamada.
https://nicolepyles.substack.com/
November 18 @ Reading is My Remedy
Stop by Chelsie’s blog for a review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com
November 20 @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Stop by Lisa’s blog for an interview with author Shirley Miller Kamada.
November 21 @ A Wonderful World of Books
Visit Joy’s blog for an excerpt from Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
November 24 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Join Anthony for an excerpt from Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.
https://www.authoranthonyavina.com
November 25 @ Word Magic
Visit Fiona’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about why so few people know about the U.S. firebombing of Tokyo.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
November 27 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog for her spotlight of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
November 30 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Visit Anthony’s blog for his review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.
https://www.authoranthonyavina.com
December 1 @ Reading is My Remedy
Stop by Chelsie’s blog for Shirley Miller Kamada’s guest post on learning that her grandfather helped build the internment camp at Minidoka in southern Idaho.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com
December 2 @ CC King’s blog
Join Caitrin as she features a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about how the character of Zachary developed.
https://www.caitrincking.com/blog
December 4 @ Sandy Kirby Quandt
Visit Sandy’s blog for her review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada
Discover more from Author Anthony Avina
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