About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider within their own family, especially if they prefer books and quiet creativity over physical competition or traditional markers of 'toughness.' Set in rural North Carolina during the early 1900s, the story follows Littlejim, a sensitive and academically gifted boy who struggles to earn the approval of his father, a man who values manual labor and physical strength above all else. This gentle historical novel explores the tension between being true to oneself and the deep-seated desire to make a parent proud. Appropriate for ages 8-12, the book offers a mirror for children who feel their talents are misunderstood. It normalizes the experience of having different values than one's peers or family members, providing a comforting reminder that intelligence and sensitivity are forms of strength. Parents will appreciate the rich historical detail and the nuanced portrayal of a father-son relationship that, while difficult, is rooted in the complex realities of the time period.
