"LEVI'S WILL"
Author: W. Dale Cramer
By April Boyer
Cramer always writes with feeling and realism. The details in this story are faithful in
telling the life-style and conflicts of an Amish family. The elements of Will's next
generation family shaped out of his own hard-work ethic, out of post World War II, and
the eventual Viet Nam war parallel families we know.
Yet, the story is not about the Amish people. It's not about wars and soldiers. It is
about father and son relationships. Though Will left his Amish roots, it took many years
until his father's death for him to discover his father's principles were still deep within
him. It took him those many years to discover that those principles were not all bad. Will
excuses his own attitude towards his youngest son by blaming his father and his strong-willed
wife. Eventually, he blooms out of his own past lies and is able to form a tenuous connection
with his son. He discovers God in a quiet moment, with light-bulb clarity, and that He is
behind the steps in Will's life.
So what is the legacy that Levi leaves his estranged son Will? You will see that the strong
tie to family and roots is a blessing in disguise. You will see that though the rules of the
Amish life are unwavering and strict beyond understanding; the results are lives surrendered.
You will see forgiveness of others take form, and the acceptance that God's forgiveness is
enough when others do not.
Christian Fiction. AB rating **** Page turner. WDC books are always full-bodied.
"THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE"
Author Forrest Carter
By April Boyer
The Education of Little Tree is a sweet memorial of a small boy growing up 3rd generation Cherokee and the product of scrabbling dirt farmers, and then his mountain-living grandparents. After his parents die,
grandpa becomes Little Tree's primary caregiver. They educate him first and foremost in the living skills necessary for the rugged mountains of the early 50's.
Grandpa and gramma taught him the Indian ethics, how to respect all nature and to take only what was necessary.
Grandpa was thankful for everything that gave life. He also taught Little Tree hard work without taking a dime, and to love others not of your own blood because of what they willingly gave to you. The aging Indians scrapped their lives out of the ground and sometimes elusive stock from woods and mountain. Humor laces the growing up of Little Tree, and also grief.
Grandpa proudly holds onto some faulty beliefs and to the idea that charity is wrong. Gramma ensures that Little Tree is
educated by borrowing books from the library every week and adding words to their vocabulary.
Granpa doesn't hold to too many words to say something that could be said with a few, simpler words.
Close friends add to the growth of Little Tree; the trading man showing him sensible number skills and
visitors like visiting Pine Willy, the local church and the general store teaching him social exchange
when the mountain offered none. The Government was someone to be dealt with and avoided.
Sometimes, they interfered, and children's social workers think they know better.
The story told by the young boy concluded many lesson-stories with his own opinion by stating "Which was right."
"Which I rekin is so", "Which is sensible", and "Which proves out reasonable".
Little Tree learned that sometimes what is in the heart and soul is more important than what can be learned in books.
The Education of Little Tree is a fictionalized historical journal that parallels Forrest Carter's own life.
Abby Award. AB rating **** Charming, a suprising thrill-ride, written with ease.
AB RATING: 4 stars=excellant, 3 stars=good enough to continue, 2 stars=mildly entertaining.
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