Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World - Hardcover

Walter, Mildred Pitts

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688066453 ISBN 13: 9780688066451

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1986

Synopsis

"Justin gets in here just before you every day, Mama. And he does nothing around here." - Evelyn

"You can make your own egg, Justin." - Hadiya

"Justin, why didn't you clean your room?" - Mama

Justin's sisters and his mama are always fussing at him. No wonder he's glad to go visit Grandpa's ranch. While he's there he will ride his favorite horse, Black Lightning, see the cowboys at the rodeo, and forget all about "women's work."

Mildred Pitts Walter writes with the sure touch of experience. She tells about a very special grandfather and about a boy's struggle to make it in a "man's world" -- even though he is surrounded by women.

About this title

Review:

Sure, he can catch a greased pig at a local rodeo, but can he bake biscuits? Ten-year-old Justin struggles to "feel like a guy" in a family dominated by females. When he goes to spend a week at his grandfather's ranch, he discovers there's more to being a man than riding horses and tending to livestock. There's also cleaning up messes, making beds and, from time to time, baking biscuits--good biscuits. Along with its lighthearted treatment of gender conflict, this story, which won the 1987 Coretta Scott King Award, provides a look at the little-known history of the black cowboys who helped settle the West and create rodeos.

From the Inside Flap:

Ten-year-old Justin thinks housework is for women, until he's invited to his grandfather's ranch. There, along with fishing, riding, and going to the rodeo, Justin learns about his black cowboy ancestors and that doing "women's work"--even baking prize-winning biscuits--is part of taking care of himself. Reading level: 2.7.  

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0688066453
• ISBN 13: 9780688066451
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128
• Illustrator: Stock Catherine