Littlejim

What does a boy have to do to earn his father's respect?Littlejim Houston is the best student in his school and an excellent writer, admired by everyone in his small North Carolina mountain community-everyone except for his father, Bigjim, whose respect he desires most. Rugged and stern, Bigjim is never satisfied with his son's work on the family farm and doesn't approve of Littlejim's love for writing and schoolwork.Littlejim hopes he can finally earn his father's respect and understanding by winning a local writing contest and getting his essay published in the Kansas City Star, but first he must find inspiration on the assigned topic, "What it means to be an American."With a vivid depiction of Appalachian mountain life in the early 1900s and a cast of lovingly portrayed characters, Littlejim explores the values and spirit of immigrant Americans through the unforgettable eyes of a boy seeking his father's approval.Honors for Littlejim, the novel:xInternational Reading Association's Teachers' Choices ListxChildren's Book Council's Best Books for the Social Studies ListxTexas Bluebonnet ListxFlorida State Sunshine Awards ListxFocus novel for the National Endowment for Humanities regional Big Read & Middle School Little Read portion included on the NC DOE End of Grade Test, 4th & 6th gradesxIncluded in social studies curricula for 4th grade nationallyxAdaptations: Three act musical: NYC: Jason Rhyne, playwright/composer-- part of his portfolio which won the Johathan Larson ( Rent) Musical Award & the Richard Rogers (numerous musicals) Award Mesa, AZ: premiered by the Mesa Performing Arts Center other productions presented nationally.