Set in 1865, this book is part prairie survival story, part Oregon Trail story and part settling of the Pacific Northwest and all quality historical fiction. Teenagers Aiden and Maddie Lynch are the only survivors of their once numerous family. Their parents tried hard to escape famine in Ireland only to meet more difficulties in America. Now Aiden and Maddie have barely survived a difficult winter and are near death themselves. They make the aquaintance of one Jefferson J. Jackson, a wagon guide on the Oregon Trail looking for recruits to work in a logging camp out west in Seattle. He allows the two teens to join the wagon train west and Aiden will work off their debt in the logging camps. The trail is long and difficult and not without danger and some people are more friendly than others. Friendly Maddie becomes friendly with the young doctor, Carlos Perez and tries to help him escape his demons and discover what it takes to become a doctor. Aiden befriends some Nez Perce Indians along the way and learns to appreciate them and their way of life. The traveles soon discover first hand how dangerous western travel is and how tragedy can occur in a single instant and the prospect of a better life doesn't seem so exciting. When smallpox, the devil's paintbox, threatens Aiden's Indian friends, he must rediscover his heart, come to grips with his emotions and decide whether to help his friends. This is a long and serious book and not for younger readers. The author does not hold back from the harsh realities of life in the 19th century. The writing is rich and detailed and the story is gritty and gripping. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story that should not be missed by teens and adults! This was a great historical fiction. It was set in the West on a wagon train headed for Gold country. 2 young siblings must survive and keep each other safe. Not only does it deal with the hardship of that life, it introduces the issue of small pox in the 1800s. The country is at the cusp of finding a vaccination but this lifesaving vaccine is withheld from the Native American community that is so terribly vulnerable and devastated by the disease. Great interplay of relationships between the white and Native American youths tyring to survive and find their adult character in the lawless western territory. I really enjoyed this book and am eager to find the right middle school reader to recommend it to. There is some reference to the prostitution trade in the Gold Country once they finally get to California so I would only recommend this to middle school or older.
What do You think about The Devil's Paintbox (2009)?
Very interesting take on the smallpox epidemic and the native americans. A must read!
—nancyromo
What a Fearless young hero. Really enjoyable and exciting story.
—Vron37
