Story Overview

Francis Steinway and his mother head west to help Grandpa with the family ranch while Dad is deployed for a year of military service. Dad has asked him to be the man of the family, but Francis is faced with the new challenges of living in the West. It's nothing like the city life he's always known.

Character and Setting

Grandpa insists on calling him Frank, a tougher name for a tough land. Frank discovers just how tough the land can be as he learns to ride a horse and face the difficulties of ranch life.

Conflict and Mystery

When he learns that something mysterious is killing Grandpa's cattle, Frank sets out to uncover the truth. He soon finds himself being blamed for many mishaps around the ranch. Can he clear his name and find out what's killing the cattle?