ALA Booklist (Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Slingshot and Burp are the rootinest, tootinest cowboys this side of Texas, and they're itchin' to roam around the Boneyard (the stretch of desert gullies behind their houses) on their horses (bikes) to find some loot. Trouble is, their bunkhouse (backyard playhouse) is under siege by a ruthless gang (their sisters). When they hear tell of some abandoned cowboy bones in the gullies, it seems like just the ticket for spooking those girls out of their territory. Hayne's episodic chapters gallop along as the intrepid amateur cowpokes explore the desert, find a (sort of) haunted skull, and rescue a dog they're sure is part coyote. Gilpin's cartoonish line drawings help bring the Wild West antics (many of which are imaginary) to life. Lasso-swinging, spur-wearing wannabe kiddie cowboys will be tickled.

Kirkus Reviews

Two rough and tough wannabe cowboys have some adventures while trying to avoid their sisters.Their "horses" are actually bikes, but that doesn't stop Slingshot and Burp from pursuing cowboy adventures out there in the dangerous Boneyard, after they get away from fire hydrants and mailboxes. Their buddy Big Jim, proprietor of the Boots and Saddle Tack Shop, informs them that there might be treasure in the scorpion-infested wilderness, but the terrible Ghost Cat also lurks in the area and might eat them alive! The two white boys bravely venture forth anyway, returning to find their bunkhouse taken over by their big sisters: there's pink everywhere! After some jail time for shooting up their sisters' dolls, the boys are back in action, back at odds with their sisters, and back in the wilderness. Haynes keeps the action zipping along with his boys, who adopt the cowboy lifestyle as much as their parents will allow. He plays with expectations; readers convinced that the adventures are all in the boys' imaginations will reconsider after Burp finds a real scorpion in his boot. Gilpin's lively line drawings add plenty of character to the book. The author doesn't push morality or significantly attempt to subvert gender stereotypes, just penning a fun, vigorous adventure for his two hyperactive boys.Active and entertaining, with a mid-20th-century feel. (Adventure. 6-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Over 10 lively chapters, first-time author Haynes unspools the story of cousins Slingshot and Burp, two cowboys-in-training armed with bicycle steeds, spitballs, red crayon brands, and an abundance of Wild West lingo. -Boll weevil!- cries Slingshot during one of their escapades. -My mouth is as dry as a dust devil.- Antagonistic older sisters, a blood-spitting lizard, and a legendary -Ghost Cat- all factor in to the boys- adventures, which both Haynes and Gilpin paint as larger-than-life, even if real life occasionally intrudes (-Two lousy days in lockup,- is Slingshot-s response to getting grounded). It-s a boisterous tale that speaks to long summer days of (mostly) unfettered freedom. Ages 6-9. Illustrator-s agency: Shannon Associates. (Aug.)