Littlejim

by Gloria Houston

Book Overview

Littlejim wants his father's love and respect --
more than anything.

Littlejim Houston is the best student in his rural North Carolina school and a tremendous help to his mother and sisters around the family's farm. But that's not good enough for Bigjim, Littlejim's father. He wants his son to cut timber, work in the fields, and hunt, just like he does. When Littlejim enters an essay contest on "What it means to be an American," he hopes...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688121128
• ISBN13: 9780688121129
• Release Date: August 1993
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Littlejim a hero for all adolescents

Gloria Houston's Littlejim is a winner on many levels. Her writing characterizes early 20th century Appalachian natives with the dignity and respect they deserve. Her attention to historic detail allows elementary and middle school teachers to have full faith in her accurate descriptions of mountain life and cultural practices. Littlejim's exciting activities provide enough fodder to satisfy any little boy's ideas of adventure. But the most outstanding thing about the book is its tender portrayal of a son and father who experience a very difficult relationship. For many adolescents, this book is a lifesaver: reading about Littlejim's mature attitude and refusal to part with hope will bolster the self-confidence of any young person. What is amazing is that this book's setting is so specific (and enjoyable in that respect) but its subject matter is universal: everyone has to deal with difficult relationships in life. Littlejim shows us how we can deal with them and still hold our head up.

So Real!

Little Jim is an "artistic" boy living in the Appalachians with a "manly man" for a father. He struggles to please his father while being true to himself. Surely we've all known someone in this situation. The way Little Jim copes will be encouraging to many of these young people. The sense of place is true to the Appalachia of an earlier time. Young people may learn a lot about this rich culture while enjoying this wonderfully written story.