"Shaking the Nickel Bush" was very different from all the other books in the Little Britches series. This book focuses solely on Ralph and his life experiences. His family is mentioned occasionally, but Ralph does not really interact with them. His life has taken a different route, and he is on his own in this story. Although I enjoyed reading it and I really liked it, I have to say that so far, this is my least favorite book of the series. Ralph's life is drastically different from the previous books, and some of his experiences aren't too pleasant. I didn't care for Ralph's deceitfulness in this book. Throughout the entire story, Ralph is lying to his mother about his life. Also, Ralph's choices- especially his choice in friends- are sometimes frustrating. The only reason I don't give it five stars, is because I wasn't very satisfied with the events that occurred or the ending of the story. However, that's how his life was, and he only wrote what happened to him.
A genuine disappointment. Yes, Ralph is in a desperate situation. Yes, Ralph is a man. Yes, it is the Great Depression. Yes, there are whole number of reasons why this segment of Ralph's life is grueling - but - he is acting out of character for most of the book. He enables his kind hearted but dishonest amoral friend far too long and at too great a cost to Ralph's character. Ralph lies constantly - to everyone - including himself. The book is boring. The choices are poor. Ralph's stupidity about his jeans and the money is mind blowing. Ralph's talent, however, is incredible. He clearly is very bright, very skilled and very gifted. I wish that I had not purchased this book. I am quite certain that we don't need to revisit it.
What do You think about Shaking The Nickel Bush (1994)?
I like reading this series. Ralph is 19 and destitute and trying to survive with diabetes. He makes a selfish friend Lonnie that drives me crazy to the end though, and it didn't have as many stories with the exemplary moral character that his other books have.
—Amy
The first half of this on was just plain painful. Ralph's "character house" was in trouble and he new friend obviously never heard of such a thing. If you were lonely and hadn't a friend in the world, would you hang around the half brain dishonest likes of Lonnie? The second half we find the old Ralph we have grown to love. Ralph said that he wasn't sure if hooking up with Lonnie was a good thing or bad. Lonnie was instrumental in bringing Ralph into money and mistakenly loosing it, leaving Ralp
—Christy
What a disappointing book! After four excellent entries--some of which were truly stellar--I can't believe the sudden drop-off in quality. Allow me to elaborate.**SPOILER ALERT**1) Lies, lies lies. Gone is the highly scrupulous Ralph Moody we came to know and love in earlier volumes. His desire to honor his father's passion for honesty, integrity, and forthrightness seems to have disappeared completely, and with no explanation whatsoever. He routinely lies to his mother throughout the book and d
—Alexis Neal
