Action!: Rosie in Los Angeles    by Carol Matas Order:  USA  Can Key Porter, 2005 (2005) Hardcover, Paperback     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson We were introduced to spirited tomboy Rosie in 1909 New York City in Gotcha!, and followed her adventures as she moved with her Jewish immigrant family to 1910 Chicago in Play Ball! Now, it's 1912, and they're in Los Angeles, living on a ranch in Hollywood, where Rosie's father is involved in the early days of film-making. He's hired 'an entire Wild West show' to make movies. Curious to see their camp, Rosie is brusquely warned off by a scowling, blue-eyed boy with a strange mark on his forehead. He's the son of 'the Cowboy King', who stars in the sharpshooting show. Rosie has further run-ins with Zach, before he teaches her to ride, she helps him to conquer a fear, and a friendship develops between them. Along the way they share a frightening adventure (including a mountain lion and outlaws), and Rosie dreams of a tall man in a Stetson who greets her with 'Shalom'. This cowboy advises her to walk through her fear, quoting from the Talmud, 'The man bitten by a snake is afraid of a rope'. Action! is an entertaining addition to an engaging historical series for the middle school crowd. Rosie, now a budding cowgirl star, is an admirable young heroine who never holds back because she's afraid. I wonder, where will she and her family go, and what adventure will she fall into, next? Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews