Little Britches

This coming-of-age story is told from the perspective of the second oldest child. His dad has health difficulties as he works his factory job in the eastern United States. A relative talks the family into moving to Colorado and trying a whole new life. Their arrival to the “ranch” pokes all inflated ideals out of their minds. It’s too far to go back home, but the only way they can coax the ground to yield a profit is for the whole family to work and sacrifice. Without much discussion, the mother and father roll up theirs sleeves to set the example. The oldest girl, Grace, helps mother while the oldest boy helps father. The younger children help as they can. They have good neighbors. They also have thieving neighbors closer to water resources. The narrator, nicknamed “Molly” by his schoolmates at first but also called “Little Britches” by some of the friendly men of the community, tells about the good times when his mother is able to feed them delicious meals and the very hard times when he has to look death and destruction in the face and not flinch. Along the way, he also tells of his adventures which only his father can understand, from making friends with an Indian to learning rodeo stunts.

This book is trash

Amazing life story and life lessons, beautifully told....I was totally there and couldn't stop reading until I finished! My heart aches for that simpler time and people of character, dignity, and grace....Read this book!