A resourceful young Navajo's efforts to rescue his family are complicated by dust-ups with a violent gang of slave traders in the second episode of this Civil War–era trilogy (Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner, 2013). Tingle packs a lot into this slim book, braiding action with too-little-known history for an effective period adventure. Freshly escaped from a west Texas prison camp, Danny immediately rides for Fort Sumner in New Mexico—only to fall into the clutches of slavers. Thanks to harrowing experiences that have transformed him from a "tough young man who fought with his fists to a strong young leader who fought with his thinking," Danny copes admirably. He not only leads his captors into an ambush, but goes on to join an attack on their compound and rescue other captives. He also rejoins his family and other displaced Navajos clustered around Fort Sumner in time to save them from the same gang and, having encountered so much death and violence, receives a healing ceremony from his grandfather. By the end, things are looking up, but the Blackgoats' trials are far from over. A suspenseful middle volume. (Historical fiction. 10-13)

Building upon a rich history, Tingle eloquently and accessibly shares the story of Danny Blackgoat, a Navajo teenager in 1864. This second book in a three-part series shares Danny's attempts to rescue his family from Fort Davis, from where he escaped in Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner (Orca, 2013/VOYA October 2013). As an escapee, Danny must navigate the cruelty of slave traders who are looking to kidnap and enslave Native Americans and ranchers for profit. Assisting him is the Grady family, including gun-toting daughter, Sarah, who helps protect the family's ranch but cannot stave off the onslaught of mayhem caused by the group of bandit slave traders. Once outsmarted, the bandits are adamant about capturing Danny, who uses his tribal skills to rescue both the Gradys, who have been taken prisoner, and his own family, who are sickened by polluted water from the Civil War prison camp.Truly empowering, Danny is the hero who, while sometimes na´ve, has many supporters in his quest for freedom and freeing others. Tingle, a Choctaw storyteller, uses these skills to mix adventure and history, highlighting the desert climate and Danny's tricks, for an audience of thrill-seekers and historical fiction fans who can discover the past and grow with Danny on his journey to manhood.Alicia Abdul.