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Book Review By Jody T. Bixby
The Buffalo Soldier by Chris Bohjalian

Terry and Laura Sheldon's twin daughters have accidentally drowned in a flood. A 10-year-old named Alfred is an African American foster child. Terry and Laura are white and take him into their home two years later still trying to cope with their loss. Terry is a Vermont State Trooper and has unresolved issues about the death of his children that he believes will be lessened by having an affair. Laura believes Alfred can give her what she needs. Alfred has been unsettled most of his life and this causes him to have certain problems, like hoarding food and trying to be invisible. A neighbor of the Sheldons invites Alfred over to learn to ride horses and to talk to him about the black cavalry men in the old west. The Native Americans called them Buffalo Soldiers.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 1980's-1999
Internal struggle/realization? Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Pregnancy/Child rearing Yes
Coping with loss of loved one(s) Yes
Loss of...

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a kid
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 ()
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast
Farm/Ranch? Yes
Farm/Ranch: - ranch
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Writing Style
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only - Boob talk!
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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