Hunter's Heart [Hardcover]

Natasha Rhodes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 1993

Alone on the farm left to him by his grandfather, eighteen-year-old Benjy King faces some adult challenges, among them the despair of his mysterious friend, Coot Hunter, and the worrisome ways of the native American Wolf.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-Life in Arkansas changes suddenly for Benjy as he finishes high school and inherits his grandfather's farm. His initial thrill at independence is jolted by the frightening enormity of his new responsibilities, and the adult world, to which he turns for wisdom, reveals its frailties. He learns some disturbing things about his father, grandfather, and trusted friend Coot. He watches helplessly as loggers threaten to destroy the forest and empathizes with displaced Native Americans. Then Sara appears, searching for her lost father, who Benjy soon realizes must be Coot. Although his initial resolve to reunite father and daughter and win Sara's affections is dampened by serious resistance, he eventually triumphs. Benjy's lackluster earnestness makes the early chapters of this book drag. But Sara's arrival brings touches of mystery and romance that compel readers to continue on. Even Rhodes's writing style seems to become more inspired as Benjy's own emotional conflicts are resolved through wisdom gained from observing the real life dramas of the people he loves. Ornery but wise, Coot is the most interesting character, while the rest are serviceable but flat. Nevertheless, the author's philosophy comes through clearly without being overbearing, and the imagery of her language improves as the story progresses, bringing it to a beautifully expressed and satisfying conclusion. Sensitive teens willing to persevere through a slow start will find their efforts rewarded.
Margaret Cole, Oceanside Library, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Fans of The King Boy (1991), Rhodes' first book about Benjy King, will not be disappointed in this sequel, which takes place two years later. Having graduated from high school, 18-year-old Benjy is working the farm he inherited after his grandfather's death. Many changes have occurred in his small Arkansas town. Loggers have clear-cut most of the forests; his father, who works for a logging company, is seldom home; it's difficult to find workers to help on the farm; and Benjy's friend Coot Hunter is talking about leaving because it's only a matter of time before the old way of life is gone. Growing up is more complicated than Benjy reckoned. Then Benjy meets Wolf, a Native American trying to preserve the old ways, who teaches Benjy about making a difference. He also meets Sara, who is searching for her father who disappeared years before. In his determination to help Sara, Benjy puts his friendship with Coot to the test. Rhodes writes with a down-home charm that is just right for this story of loss, forgiveness, and healing. Chris Sherman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 31, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027759350
• ISBN-13: 978-0027759358
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 3.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,654,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, June 13, 2009

By 

well read - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hunter's Heart (Hardcover)

I read this book when it came out and still to this day, it touches my heart. The King Boy and The Hunter's Heart are both well written young adult novels sure to carry on in American literature well beyond our lifetime in the tradition of The Yearling and Where the Red Fern Grows. Kudos to JC Rhodes!

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT A GREAT BOOK!, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hunter's Heart (Hardcover)

The Hunter's Heart by Judy Carole Rhodes didn't keep me on the edge like I think books should. It was about an orphaned girl who cannot find her father. On her search she meets Benjy, a young farmer who is friends with her father, but Benjy doesn't know it's him. After many months, Benjy finds Sara and brings the two together. It drags on in parts when Benjy talked about life, and I couldn't keep focused. I would only recommend this book to those who like long extensive books about hunters.