Uncle Daney's Way [Paperback]

Jessie Haas (Author), Lindsay Barrett George (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up

Uncle Daney looks nothing like Cole''s idea o f a lumberjack, but despite his age and the logging accident that has confined him to a wheelchair, Daney is the livelie st person Cole''s ever met. When he moves in with Cole his ho rse, Nip, must earn his keep. '

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Cole, 12, has never met his paralyzed uncle, a former logger, but he imagines him to be a burly, hard-drinking, rough sort, and is not looking forward to having him come to live in his family's barn. But Daney turns out to be old and small, with a twinkle in his eye and a huge, handsome skidding horse as a companion. Nip proves to be a marvel of disciplined power and intelligence, and is the pride of Daney's life. But times are hard for this rural Vermont family, and Pop doubts they can afford to keep the animal. So, despite his useless legs, Daney cleverly schools Cole in the art of harnessing and driving a work horse, and together they improve Nip's usefulness. When Daney learns from neighboring farmers of a chance for winning money in the Farm Horse Contest at the upcoming fair, he intensifies Cole's training, and the culmination brings the boy into tight competition for the recognition and dollars that will ensure Nip's salvation. This is much more than a horse story-it is a finely crafted tale of human ingenuity in the face of hardship. With subtlety, insight, and economy of language, Haas creates a satisfying cast of believable characters working through fears and uncertainties to achieve moments of joy, pride, and kinship.
Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Junior High School, Springfield, VT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Cole Tatro and his parents have recently moved to a rural area, where they hope to grow their own food, make maple sugar, and eventually, put away a little money. Still, times are tight, and when Great-uncle Daney, an aging logger now confined to a wheelchair, and his huge skidding horse, Nip, come to live with them, Cole is worried about finances. Uncle Daney is a small, wiry sort of man--not at all what Cole expected--but his steely determination more than makes up for any disadvantage in size or ability. Very soon, Daney and Nip, with Cole's help, engineer some important positive changes for all the Tatros. Horse enthusiasts will enjoy the wealth of information about the proper training and use of workhorses for logging, and Haas' comments about harsh treatment of animals are well taken. Uncle Daney's vitality and exuberance, despite his size, age, and disabilities, will encourage young readers as well and may lead to interesting discussions of brain versus brawn. Kay Weisman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (August 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688154913
• ISBN-13: 978-0688154912
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,256,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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