The Home Ranch

What a grand adventure for a 12 year-old boy to work in a real man's job, earning a real man's salary, working for a cattle rancher/trader Mr. Batchlet. Moody skillfully portrays the cast of characters who compose the ranch crew and the owner's daughter Hazel who is a commanding figure in the book and in Ralph's young heart. This is a never to be forgotten look at a old west that was rapidly changing and would soon be forever altered, but here it is preserved forever for our enjoyment and education. But is is more than an interesting story or an enlightening look at a historical time, it is a sotry that reads like a novel, and yet carries the authority of truth while embodying timeless values and demonstrating how character is formed and maintained. A delight for the whole family and as with nearly all of Ralph Moody's books it retains the read-a-loud quality that makes these stories so treasured among those who still read in the family circle.

My husband and son (6years old) are reading his book at bedtime. They have read all the books in the series so far. I get to listen in and read when my husband is not home. I think he looks forward to reading these as much as my son. Here's what I'm getting as an outsider... Pros: Well written, about authors life as a boy Lots of life lessons (especially about hard work) Good next step after Laura ingalls series Enjoyable to read out loud Cons: None Be warned some of the issues covered in the book are deep and tough and lots over my six year olds head. But the book is wholesome and he (we) is completely enjoying it nonetheless. Start with " Father and I Were Ranchers" and enjoy the series all the way through.

I am a raving fan of the Ralph Moody books. This one is a great part of the series. It goes more in depth about his life and some of the adventures he had. Since it is all Non-Fiction it really is interesting to consider all that he did. Life is quite different now for most people and he has a good way of taking you back. I do recommend reading the other books in the series as well to get the full view of Ralph.

I purchased this for my Kindle, having read it years ago in HS. It has laughs, crises, and poignancy; a coming-of-age and a touch of young romance. I bought it again in paperback for my 11-year-old neighbor. Reading about someone his own age, a real cowboy in real adventures, should hold his interest, and maybe the low-key life-lessons will sink in. It's also a little sad to consider that the epic ride Little Britches takes in 1911 would be an hour-and-a-half drive now, barring traffic; and his ranch and plains are now no doubt tidy little subdivisions.

All of the Little Britches books are worth the read. They are interesting to listen to as well. I've been a fan of this books for as long as I can remember. My parents read them to brother and I when we were kids. Just good clean books with an interesting story of Ralph Moody's life as a boy into his young adult years.

Ralph Moody is a great story-teller! humor, folk wisdom, sentiment, and descriptive details of growing up in the early 20th century, working the summer on a cattle ranch. Rites of passage from boy to man. One of our favorite family read-alouds!

The Home Ranch was a good old fashioned read, and very refreshing in this day and age. Its about life in the 1900s and a boy's journey on his way to manhood, and about hard work, dedication and being true to yourself. I liked how realistic the book was in regards to horses. The author obviously has a love and a real working knowledge of these animals. I liked the way the boy related to Blue Boy, the horse he chose for himself, and how he took the animal's needs and fears into account when he worked with him. His quiet understanding of what the animal really needed, instead of just "breaking" him and forcing him to do what was obviously not his calling. Doing what needs to be done, not whining about it, and sucking it up, taking responsibility, no matter how rough things get is what this book is about. I enjoyed it very much, and would recommend it to anyone liking to read about adventure, ranch life, and its a special treat for anyone who loves horses!

Ralph Moody's series of memoirs are among the best books I've read; very enjoyable (they read like a novel) and reveal what life was like in that period of history in that part of the country. I read all seven books to my sons twice when they were growing up, and they loved them. Each of the guys have read them again after they were adults. My husband, who hates reading, loved the audiobooks. Now my 76-year-old mother is enjoying them on her Kindle.

A favorite book for our children.