I just finished reading this book to the boys (8 and 6). As a read-aloud I really can't say enough about this series. First and foremost, these are true stories, a fact that really seems to resonate with my boys. Second, Ralph Moody lives according to a moral code that is impeccable. Moody or "Little Britches" treasures hard-work, honesty, integrity, and goodness. And finally, these stories are just plain fun to read. It is easy to become absorbed in the childhood of Little Britches. Indeed it is a way of life that has long since dissolved in this country, but the need to resurrect the work ethic and values that are evident on every page is sadly evident with one glance at today's headlines. The "Little Britches" series is exceptional, and I enjoy it because the stories are great fun, but I absolutely adore it because of the conversations that it has faccilitated in our house and the emotions we share. The Home Ranch ends with a scene that involves Little Briches and Hazel thanking each other for the summer they have had together. Little Britches explains, "That was the first time I ever wanted to kiss a girl, but I didn't. Hazel whirled away and raced for the house. With my high-heeled boots and chaps on, I couldn't run fast enough to catch her." Seeing the expression on Caden's face as I read that...priceless.
I'm reading the entire Ralph Moody anthology of his childhood and growing-up years. These books were my favorites as an adolescent and they hold just as much action, poignancy and honesty as they did in the past. "Little Britches", as he is commonly called by the men he works for (and with) gets a new job offer that pays $1.00 a day. However, since his Father has passed away and his mother is always cognizant of danger, he expects her to say no. Ralph is about twelve at the time and already a trick rider, cowhand and all-around cowboy. He is a hard worker and seeks to help his family survive since his Father's death. But, much to his surprise, Ralph's mother allows him to take this summer job that will keep him away from his family for the entire summer. In this book, Ralph learns even more about being a cowhand and horse trainer. His partner turns out to be a red-headed, pigtailed girl who is very prickly toward him, but really wants to learn to trick ride. The summer is full of ups and downs, but "Little Britches" tames a wild horse that no one else could, rounds up cattle like a pro with much more seasoned cowboys, and earns more education in the world of ranching.
What do You think about The Home Ranch (1994)?
I loved this book even more than the first one in the series, although it's definitely a 5 start too. Maybe I loved it so much because of my obsessive love of horses when I was growing up, I can relate to many of Ralph's feelings. Ralph is a little older (11 or 12 I think) in this book and takes a summer job earning a man's pay. It's the kind of book you want your kids to read because it's not just a fun, adventurous story, but the underlying moral, what makes a boy a man... a good man, is so well intertwined with Ralph's experiences that the emotional moments hit me by surprise. It's a good read!
—Melissa
I do enjoy seeing things from Little Britches point of view. Some of the phrases make me laugh out loud. I can see a young man with the desire to make his parents proud at every turn and feeling real shame when he doesn't measure up. It is a real shame that our youth of today do not have these qualities. What a better place the world would be if we all had principles to live by like they did then.My wish is that every family would read these books together and discuss them. There is no discussion on specific religious beliefs. No clear set of how or what they followed, except there is a clear impression gained by the reader that Ralph had very clear and concise morals, as did almost all of the other characters in the book. Where did they get those morals from? How did they know how to behave? And, maybe most important of all, how did they all seem to know the same set of morals?
—Celeste Batchelor
This is book 3 in the series, but chronologically it fits about 3/4 of the way through book 2, which is odd. I suppose there was less of a market for long memoirs when this first came out, and it makes some sense to split the ranching job part into its own book, but since the ending of book 2 is sort of a cliff-hanger, it's disconcerting to pick up this one and find yourself going back in time.I do love this series. Moody's insights and integrity are stellar. The anecdotes are understated but illustrative of a life embraced with enthusiasm and grit. The narrator's overenunciation still makes me twitch sometimes, but it's so nice to have these in spoken form.
—Melody
