Book Overview
Paolo calls Rufus "a Mack truck with no one driving." Rufus is the O'Neil family dog, and he shows up one morning with part of a twenty-dollar bill in his teeth. Twelve-year-old Paolo figures that there must be more where that bill came from, and since his cousin Billy needs to repair a bent wheel on his bike, there's a reason for looking. Soon Paolo, his brother Georgie, and Billy end up in the monsignor's garden behind the Cathedral of San Joaquin, but it's not exactly treasure they find, it's a hand that shoots out of the undergrowth to grab Paolo's neck. The search for the stash leads the boys -- sometimes scared spitless -- on many a byway around Orange Grove City, California, in the summer of 1951. And onto the byway of conscience.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1416916199
ISBN13:9781416916192
Release Date:June 2006
Publisher:Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Length:240 Pages
Weight:0.40 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.1" x 7.6"
Age Range:9 to 12 years
Grade Range:Grades 4 to 7
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Boys of the San Joaquin
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I bought three books by this author because the Fresno Bee said they had received many awards and not many sales. This is the early 1950s. This is Fresno Calif. Several lives are involved in this book. I normally don't read kids books because I am 73. But, this book is a delight. There is morals, accountaility, humor, kindness, thoughtfulness, acceptance, caring, and love. A family of 10 kids and the pop and mom and their friends. I have no idea why these books are not selling; they are a delight. Perhaps they are not selling because there is no cussing, blood and guts, but,there is the type of romance I remember where a sister parks with her boyfriend. Are you too old to read this book? Never, it will leave you with a warm heart. Your pre teens and teens should really enjoy this book.
First class youth literature for any age!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
My husband and I read this book aloud on a trip across country, and it was wonderful. I want to use it with my 6th graders this coming school year. It reflects the very American voices of Twain and Steinbeck, and, like both these authors' works, is filled with humor, social commentary, and honest emotions. I am so glad that the title and cover caught my eye!
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