This isn't something I would usually read and I didn't love it. My book group chose this book because it was the local Altrusa chapter's "One City, One Book" selection last summer.
The book is set in Eastern Oregon, although a ways southeast of Pendleton, in Malheur County, where there are no actual towns, just lots and lots of ranching country. This is where 11-year-old Ignatius (better known as Brother) lives with his grandparents and father, and whichever of his four older brothers happen to be home from the Army, college or boarding high school. When his father's military reserve unit is called to serve a 14 month tour in Iraq, Brother and his aging grandparents are left to keep the family ranch running, along with the help of an immigrant farmhand who was one of my favorite characters.
What I liked:
The information about day-to-day operations of a farm, such as the details of Brother trying to save "bum[mer] lambs" (a phrase I learned recently when my kindergartener went on a field trip to a local sheep ranch) whose mothers have died. Also, preparations for wildfires that sweep through the area every year in late summer. Everything went so smoothly, they'd obviously done this many times before.
His description of the girl vs. boy grade school "war." In general, Parry uses some sly humor that I am not sure every reader in the target audience will catch.
What I didn't like:
The lack of backstory details: Brother's mother split when he was only 5, to be an artist in New York. Little references are made to her, but I wanted to know more about a woman who would have five children and then just walk away. Maybe Brother doesn't remember much about her or has just bottled all his feelings, but I would have liked to see the topic explored further. Especially considering how much he whined about not having a parent at home after his dad shipped out.
Brother's self pity: Yes, kids are whiny and, yes, Brother does have a lot to deal with, but it got annoying.
The in-your-face religious aspect of this book: I'm sure lots of parents would love for their kids to read books with "the breath of God" (The Borrower reference), but that's not my personal preference.
The ending leaves everything hanging a little.
Obviously, this book is aimed at middle school boys, an audience that has different tastes and expectations than I do. I think Parry tried to fit too much into one little book, but maybe that's what it takes to keep boys interested. Based on my personal enjoyment, it would be a two-star, but I gave it a third star because it's pretty good for what it is.
The book is set in Eastern Oregon, although a ways southeast of Pendleton, in Malheur County, where there are no actual towns, just lots and lots of ranching country. This is where 11-year-old Ignatius (better known as Brother) lives with his grandparents and father, and whichever of his four older brothers happen to be home from the Army, college or boarding high school. When his father's military reserve unit is called to serve a 14 month tour in Iraq, Brother and his aging grandparents are left to keep the family ranch running, along with the help of an immigrant farmhand who was one of my favorite characters.
What I liked:
The information about day-to-day operations of a farm, such as the details of Brother trying to save "bum[mer] lambs" (a phrase I learned recently when my kindergartener went on a field trip to a local sheep ranch) whose mothers have died. Also, preparations for wildfires that sweep through the area every year in late summer. Everything went so smoothly, they'd obviously done this many times before.
His description of the girl vs. boy grade school "war." In general, Parry uses some sly humor that I am not sure every reader in the target audience will catch.
What I didn't like:
The lack of backstory details: Brother's mother split when he was only 5, to be an artist in New York. Little references are made to her, but I wanted to know more about a woman who would have five children and then just walk away. Maybe Brother doesn't remember much about her or has just bottled all his feelings, but I would have liked to see the topic explored further. Especially considering how much he whined about not having a parent at home after his dad shipped out.
Brother's self pity: Yes, kids are whiny and, yes, Brother does have a lot to deal with, but it got annoying.
The in-your-face religious aspect of this book: I'm sure lots of parents would love for their kids to read books with "the breath of God" (The Borrower reference), but that's not my personal preference.
The ending leaves everything hanging a little.
Obviously, this book is aimed at middle school boys, an audience that has different tastes and expectations than I do. I think Parry tried to fit too much into one little book, but maybe that's what it takes to keep boys interested. Based on my personal enjoyment, it would be a two-star, but I gave it a third star because it's pretty good for what it is.
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
HEART OF A SHEPHERD is a beautiful book by first-time author Rosanne Parry. It draws the reader right into life on an Oregon ranch and into the life of a spiritual family dedicated to the land, their country, and one another.
Brother is the youngest of five boys raised on the family ranch. Soon, Brother will be gone to a high school boarding school, but for now it's up to him to help his father, grandpa, and grandma with the running of the place. As each day passes, it seems he is given more responsibility. Brother decides that's proof that they think he's growing up and will soon be man enough to handle his share of the work.
When news breaks that his father's reserve unit is about to be shipped off to Iraq, Brother realizes he doesn't have a choice. Ready or not, he will be the only one left to help his grandfather run the ranch.
With his father gone, he pitches in and learns how to handle everything from raising the bum lambs, literally lending a hand/arm with the calving, and making decisions like whether to use traditional branding or acid branding. Constant chores keep him busy, but he still has time to worry about the safety of his father commanding troops in Iraq. He knows he is not alone, since many in the community have fathers, mothers, and sons serving their country, leaving just a few family members to do what needs to be done here at home.
The story is an interesting mix of young and old. The experience of the old is passed to the young when it comes to handling ranch chores, as well as the rules of life in general. There is a strong sense of spirituality among the characters with the incorporation of a variety of faiths - Catholic, Quaker, and Baptist. It is evident that a higher power plays a major role in the lives described in HEART OF A SHEPHERD.
The appeal of this book should reach far beyond its YA audience. I look forward to reading more by Rosanne Parry in the future.
HEART OF A SHEPHERD is a beautiful book by first-time author Rosanne Parry. It draws the reader right into life on an Oregon ranch and into the life of a spiritual family dedicated to the land, their country, and one another.
Brother is the youngest of five boys raised on the family ranch. Soon, Brother will be gone to a high school boarding school, but for now it's up to him to help his father, grandpa, and grandma with the running of the place. As each day passes, it seems he is given more responsibility. Brother decides that's proof that they think he's growing up and will soon be man enough to handle his share of the work.
When news breaks that his father's reserve unit is about to be shipped off to Iraq, Brother realizes he doesn't have a choice. Ready or not, he will be the only one left to help his grandfather run the ranch.
With his father gone, he pitches in and learns how to handle everything from raising the bum lambs, literally lending a hand/arm with the calving, and making decisions like whether to use traditional branding or acid branding. Constant chores keep him busy, but he still has time to worry about the safety of his father commanding troops in Iraq. He knows he is not alone, since many in the community have fathers, mothers, and sons serving their country, leaving just a few family members to do what needs to be done here at home.
The story is an interesting mix of young and old. The experience of the old is passed to the young when it comes to handling ranch chores, as well as the rules of life in general. There is a strong sense of spirituality among the characters with the incorporation of a variety of faiths - Catholic, Quaker, and Baptist. It is evident that a higher power plays a major role in the lives described in HEART OF A SHEPHERD.
The appeal of this book should reach far beyond its YA audience. I look forward to reading more by Rosanne Parry in the future.
