Historical fiction, this story is told from the pov of a 12 year old boy sailing down the Mississippi . I can't imagine a more appropriate narrator for this story. Kids 5th grade on through adults will enjoy this story. Tick is a well rounded character, as are other characters in the story. There is plenty of humor for all ages to appreciate. It's sort of coming of age as the story goes along. Tick sort of grows up along with the country as it starts just before the Civil War. Great read.

I found the story of Tick Cooper delightful! Written in what seems to be a first person, stream of consciousness style, it evoked memories of reading Mark Twain's wonderful boyhood classics. This story is about Tick's own boyhood adventure on the Mississippi River, which took place immediately prior to Lincoln's investiture and the Civil War during his presidency. Tick struggles to do what he knows is right while those in authority around him give conflicting messages. Topics opened up for discussion in this tale include slavery and racism, male/ female relationships, disabilities, bullying, peer pressure, ethics and morals; this list is not conclusive. Appropriate for middle school and up.
In addition to obvious grammar issues that are appropriate for the dialect and setting, the edition I read had a number of typos, just enough to require re-reading lines at times. It did not substantially detract from the story.

Tick Cooper
John Vance

“I swear by everything I ever owned that my adventure will be the honest truth—even if I had to tell a few lies along the way to get to the meaning of that truth.” So promises Tick Cooper, a twelve year old Ohio boy who’s about to accompany his Uncle Ned down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans.

On the edge of the civil war, John Vance’s Novel, Tick Copper is a memorable read . An exquisitely written ponderous look through the eyes of a 12 year olds protagonist.
A look at our morals and the conditions of America’s history during that time period. Great paced coming of age story. A creative journey down the Mississippi River. It features a well developed portrait of the social and political injustice of that crucial time period in our American history. Eloquently written with an even flowed storyline is absolutely magnificent.
A Literary Achievement for John Vance .

Thanks NetGalley for this complimentary copy for an honest review.