About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to notice economic inequalities or when they feel a deep sense of responsibility toward their family members' happiness. It is a poignant choice for children who are natural protectors or who are navigating their own small anxieties about family stability and the future. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s Great Depression, the story follows H.J. Harper as he balances the external thrill of a local leopard hunt with the internal drive to support his sister's dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Through H.J.'s eyes, readers explore the complexities of poverty and the dignity of hard work, particularly through his father's involvement with the W.P.A. project. It is an excellent bridge for middle-grade readers to understand how hope and perseverance can thrive even when resources are scarce.
