When Travis leaves California to spend some time with his Grandma in Minnesota, he never imagines all that will happen... such as learning that the father he never knew was a bank robber, and that the money he stole has never turned up. Travis and his two new friends in town, Kenny and Iz, begin looking for money that disappeared 14 years ago; but they soon learn someone else is looking for it too, and whoever that is, might be a dangerous person to cross.
While this book has the standard trio of middle grade novel topics: family, friendship, and first love, it is primarily a mystery, told in a modern 13-year-old narrator version of a crime noir novel. This book is all about plot and less about character development. As such, it's a great story, but I never felt a close enough attachment to any of the three kids to quite give it a 5 star review. ( )

Turn Left at the Cow is categorized as a mystery, but more of the story is about thirteen year old Travis finding answers about his past. When Travis feels like he has been squeezed out of his life that now includes a step father, he runs away from his home in California to Minnesota where his grandmother lives. He finds out that his real father, who has been dead since around the time he was born, was guilty of the only bank robbery in the town's history. When money from that bank robbery starts turning up in town, many people begin to believe that Travis has the long-missing money. With the help of his new friends, Kenny and Iz, he sets out on a search for not only the money, but also for answers about who he really is.
Turn Left at the Cow is a quick read, but does slow down a bit in the middle when Travis starts to become suspicious of everyone, including his grandmother. It's a little disappointing that the story turned out to be more coming-of-age rather than a treasure hunt. However, the budding romance between Travis and Iz is cleverly woven into the story. Overall, a good read.

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This book has a good mystery, a little sarcasm, and characters that kids will enjoy. It's geared toward upper elementary/middle school. A quick easy read for high schoolers. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I found it very hard to put down. A good story, very real characters, great suspense, and some wonderful laugh out loud moments. I hope Lisa Bullard will keep writing for this grade level. I know lots of children I'll want to share this with. Good for lovers of Dead End in Norvelt. ( )

TURN LEFT AT THE COW is a good, old-fashioned mystery book.

It's targeted at Middle-graders, but that won't keep tweens or adults from enjoying it, because it's funny, has good characters, and manages some excellent tension at the end, as things get dangerous.

The background of the story is that Travis, 13, is rather annoyed with his mom's new marriage. Friction gets worked up between step-dad and step-son to the point where Travis decides to make a surprise trip to see his grandmother. His arrival in rural Minnesota however doesn't make life easier for him, because his father is considered to have been a deadbeat bank robber.

No one really knows whether Travis' biological father is dead, nor what happened to the money. And that's what spurs the adventure, for next door neighbors Kenny and Iz are dead set on finally discovering where the money is, if they can only convince Trav to help.

Clue's abound, but what makes this a good read in my opinion are the little things. The contrasts in expectations that arise from a California boy's being in the land of pasture and pot-lucks; and the characterizations of the kids and adults. ( )