Little Joe - Hardcover

Neil Wallace, Sandra

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0375860975 ISBN 13: 9780375860973

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

It’s a cold December night and Fancy, the Stegner family’s cow, is about to give birth. Out pops Little Joe, a huge bull calf, and with him comes nine-year-old Eli’s first chance to raise an animal to show at next fall’s county fair. Over the next ten months, Eli, and Little Joe, learn some hard lessons about growing up and what it means to take on bigger responsibilities, especially when it comes to taking care of another living thing. But one thing Eli is trying not to think about is what will happen to Little Joe after the fair: it’s auction time, and he’ll have to sell Little Joe!
 
In this appealing and heartwarming story that’s reminiscent of James Herriot’s books, Eli comes to terms with some of the realities of life on his family’s farm, and in the outside world, as he raises his first bull calf for competition. Told in a straightforward and appealing text, brimming with lush details about the natural world of the farm, and with characters that are sure to appeal to readers, Eli’s story is one that may not be familiar to every kid, but the themes of growing up and learning some difficult lessons will appeal to kids and adults alike.

About this title

About the Author:

Sandra Neil Wallace is a former television sportscaster at ESPN and has written for various magazines for both children and adults. Until recently she lived next door to a family-owned and -operated cattle farm in eastern Pennsylvania, which provided the inspiration for her debut novel, Little Joe, as well as much of the technical information in the book. She now lives in Keene, New Hampshire, with her husband and fellow Knopf author, Rich Wallace.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4-6–This is a sweet book about the relationships among three generations of farmers–Eli Stegner, his father, and his grandfather. It is also about Eli's connection to the first calf he gets to call his own. Little Joe is destined to be a winner at the county fair cattle show, but that blue ribbon will pretty much insure that he goes to the highest bidder and then to the butcher. Such is the reality of farm life. However, Eli and Joe are in for a happy ending, as are the boy and his father, whose relationship evolves from one of prickly distance to mutual understanding, thanks to the gentle influence of Eli's grandfather. A helpful diagram shows the parts of a beef animal. This thoughtful, tender book will appeal to those readers who are familiar with the Stegners' world, and many more will be able to identify with the highs and lows of familial love.Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0375860975
• ISBN 13: 9780375860973
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192
• Illustrator: Elliott Mark