Customer Reviews

The Loner (An Apple Paperback)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember my fifth-grade teacher readings this book to our class. It has stayed with me for some thirty years--the homeless boy, nameless, finding an identity, a family, and a home. Boss was a powerful complex character, whose grief and loneliness I understand even then--and it is a tough book, in which David earns his right to be a part of a family and a community. Why has the sparse, touching book never been filmed?

This is another book I think my class would have liked and wish I could have read with them. I have to compliment the author on the first chapter of the book--we are introduced to the as-yet-nameless main character. Immediately the reader feels both pity and admiration for the boy who has no family, name or anyone to care for him. However, through the force of his own wits and will survives traveling across the country assisting in harvesting. Just as a minor character, the first we know of to care for the boy, is about to give him a name...the unexpected happens (I won't ruin it). The first chapter will hook the young reader (or in this case, the older reader), and lead him to a sheepherding ranch in Montana where the book turns to themes of family, responsibility, forgiveness and persistance. I would recommend it for teachers, parents and young adults.

A homeless, friendless, even Nameless youth travels alone in rural America as a migrant worker, with the vague idea of reaching the golden promises of California. Priding himself on his ability to look out for himself without any adult aid, the boy finally reaches Montana's sheep country, where he meets some people who actually grow to care about him as a person--not just as a day laborer. Can he overcome his natural (or acquired) suspicion and enforced independence to allow human emotions to enter and flow freely from his embittered heart?

Coming of age in the rugged wilderness of Montana this youth learns more than the responsibilities of the shepherd; he battles not only the primitive forces of hostile nature, but his own reckless impulses, plus an unreasonable jealousy of a young man he never even met. This unlikely protagonist determines to temporarily settle down and win the respect of the Boss. Many of the characters are driven to hunt down and destroy the Bear which killed the Boss' son. This Newbery Honor book includes plenty of action, as it presents a struggle for survival on two fronts: physical and social. For thoughtful readers from Middle School up.

A homeless, friendless, nameless young boy travels the country as a migrant worker, with the vague idea of reaching California. He prides himself on being able to look out for himself--relying on absolutely no one else for anything. When he reaches Montana sheep country, he meets some people who actually come to care about him. Can he overcome his natural (or acquired) suspicion and enforced independence to allow human emotions to enter and flow from his embittered heart?

He learns more than the responsibilities of a shepherd during the rough winter, when he battles his own reckless impulses and a growing jealousy of a young man he never met. This unlikely hero determines to settle down and win the respect of the Boss. Many of the characters are driven (like Captain Ahab in MOBY DICK) to hunt down and destroy the Bear that killed Boss' son. A thoughtful book that will challenge the reader.

More than 40 years ago, during my 5th grade year, I was forced to withdraw from school because of a case of rheumatic fever. I found myself alone and lonely for many months as I recovered from the illness. It was during this time that I developed my love of reading. Of all the books I read during those days, none have stayed with me and influenced my life as much as The Loner by E. Weir. Even now, whenever I read stories of courage in the face of loss, responsibility, coming of age, gratitude, finding ones place in the world, the experience of reading this book is the standard and filter by which the others are measured and understood. Thank you Ester, you made a difference.

In the book you feel sympathy toward the main charactor, David.
david is an orphan looking for someplace where he will feel belonging. This book is about finding where you belong and being loved. David in the end finds that he does not want to be a loner
and he wishes to belong and to love those who love him.

The Loner is about A boy who was a crop picker and moved alot. In this story the boy is going to California but on his way is he is found by a lady named Boss. Boss is very manly and is a sheep hearder. when she finds the boy she names him from the Bible, David.

The Loner is a very eciting book. It has a great cast of charecters. My favorite was cluny who keeps you on your toes. the book keeps you thinking about what will happen next and has agreat lesson to it. The story takes place in the mountains of Montana, where a boy runs of and meets a sheepherder named Boss.There was also Jup and Juno who belonged to Boss.

This is a book that I happened across one day while browsing through a pile of discarded books. The saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure" holds true for this fine piece of children's literature. I used this book when I worked with a reluctant reader. It worked like magic! We had great fun reading and discussing this story of a homeless boy who is "adopted" by the owner of a sheep ranch.

Later, I adopted this book as a class novel for my sixth grade language arts classes. What a blast! The Loner has plenty of action and suspense. It lends itself to wonderful discussions. It is chockful of moral questions. It's enlightening and heartwarming.

I strongly recommend this as a book for parents to read along with their children. You will both benefit.

I loved this book! It has action, introspection, and wonderful descriptions throughout. To follow the main character from the beginning of the story when he doesn't even have a name, to the end and throughout all his adventures is a terrific experience for the reader.