Little Joe

by Sandra Neil Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace

It’s a cold December night and Fancy, the Stegner family’s cow, is about to give birth. Out pops Little Joe, a huge bull calf, and with him comes nine-year-old Eli’s first chance to raise an animal to show at next fall’s county fair. Over the next ten months, Eli, and Little Joe, learn some hard lessons about growing up and what it means to take on bigger responsibilities, especially when it comes to taking care of another living thing. But one thing Eli is trying not to think about is what will happen to Little Joe after the fair: it’s auction time, and he’ll have to sell Little Joe!
 
In this appealing and heartwarming story that’s reminiscent of James Herriot’s books, Eli comes to terms with some of the realities of life on his family’s farm, and in the outside world, as he raises his first bull calf for competition. Told in a straightforward and appealing text, brimming with lush details about the natural world of the farm, and with characters that are sure to appeal to readers, Eli’s story is one that may not be familiar to every kid, but the themes of growing up and learning some difficult lessons will appeal to kids and adults alike.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Canada, Realistic Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sandra Neil Wallace had a lengthy career as a news anchor and ESPN sportscaster. She succeeded in breaking a gender barrier by becoming the first female to anchor an NHL broadcast. Her books have been named to state and national awards lists, including Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of the Year, ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, and Booklist’s Top 10 Sports Books for Youth. She lives in New Hampshire and Maine with her husband, author Rich Wallace. To learn more about her, visit sandraneilwallace.com.

Reviews

[Jessica Henry]

Opening:
Okay everyone, it is time to come to the carpet. Please find your spots on the rug. We have started a new theme this week. Can anyone tell me what it is? (Pause for student response.) I need hands only please, no blurting. That's right, we have been learning about the farm and the people who work on it and the animals that live in it. Today, I have a new read-aloud to share with you. I am going to show you the illustrations in the book and then I want you to listen while I read the back cover of the book. After listening, I need your help figuring out where this book, "Little Joe" belongs on our genre list and why. [Read back cover to students.] With a raised hand only, I will call on you to help me out. [Pause to allow for wait time.] [Work with students to help correctly place the title of the book on the genre list provided.] Great, now that we have figured out where the book belongs, let's begin reading.

Opening Moves:
Read some of the text to engage attention.
Remind children of genre comparisons.

Rationale:
After reading book reviews and the synoposis of the book, I felt that this book would make a great read-aloud and would compliment the current theme that I have in place for the text set. It also shares a time theme like that of "Farm" and "Cock-A-Doodle-Doo, Creak, Pop-Pop, Moo". Only "Little Joe" focuses on the relationship between the bull calf and the young boy through a progression of events in their lives.

Review:
(2010, September/October). Horn Book. http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=a...

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute children's book. It resonated with my rural agricultural roots.

[Molly (Conan the Librarian) Crumbley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine-year-old Eli comes from a long tradition of cattle farmers, and he is bursting with pride when he is finally given a calf of his very own. Little Joe, an Angus beef calf with an impressive pedigree, is a real beauty, if a little skittish, and it isn’t long before he and his young master have forged a sweet relationship. Under the tutelage of his grandfather Joe (the calf’s namesake), Eli learns how to take care of and train his animal, also learning some big lessons about the miracles of nature and farm life along the way.

Looming on the horizon is the upcoming state fair, where Eli just knows he and Little Joe can come in first place and win his gruff father’s approval if they train as hard as they can. With a blue ribbon, though, comes a big problem: winning an award at the fair means that his bull will certainly be purchased at the beef auction. His father has always told him not to name his calf, not to get attached, but Eli can’t help loving Little Joe. How could he possibly say goodbye to his friend? This is a charming story of fathers and sons, of a boy’s deep connection with nature, and the ins and outs of farming. Animal lovers will especially like Little Joe’s gentle realistic writing and lovely illustrations.

This review originally appeared on abookandahug.com

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is fantastic...

i am a public "library lady"
(who's "main job" is
storytelling outreach
at schools....

but...

i will highly
recommend this sweet,
wonderful book to
kids...

i am so happy to have
read another great
kids book to add
to my lists of favorites!!

today, at work,
(public library)
i am "freaking out
a bit", because
i recommended this book
to a mom and her son
and daughter,
they were on their
way out of the
library, they'd
chosen books to
take home,when i
told them of
a few of my new
"favorites",
'Little Joe'
being one of them....
i quickly gave them
a synopsis, and they
"scooped it up"
i'm wondering if
people here might
think it's a bit
PG w/ regard to
the "rendering"
aspect....??!!!
i possibly should've
told the mom, but
they were in a hurry
and i didn't think of it!!!
(of course, i'd be
thrilled w/ any future
vegetarians, but....??!!

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay! I am a winner of this book from GoodReads First-Reads. I look forward to reading this! Thank you!
***
Received today. Can't wait to get into it! Thanks for the book and Swag!

* * *
I just finished reading this book. I think I am just too grown up for it, or too female to relate? I just felt like the characters weren't developed enough. Even Little Joe was missing (forgive the pun)--meat. I did feel negatively toward the dad, but even then not much.

Gorgeous illustrations! I loved the ending. At that point I wanted to see a part two. Maybe then we can pick the characters' brains and find out more about them.

Loaning to my friends, especially those who have boys to see what they think.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Joe is a charming book that will definitely go over well in my rural elementary school. (There is a dairy about a half mile from the school.) This story about a boy and his first show calf is reminiscent of Charlotte's Web and is sure to be a hit with young readers, especially those familiar with farm life. There is a certain level of suspense leading up to the end of the book that will keep children turning the pages for more. Will Eli and Little Joe win the blue ribbon at the fair, and what will become of Little Joe after the fair is over?

I can't wait to share this book with my students, and I'm so glad I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this book in a first reads giveaway and was very excited to read it.
Absolutely lived this book! A very sweet story about a young boy raising his first show calf. The end was a but predictable but perfect fir the story in my opinion. The book was a little young for most if my students and many would not be able to identify with farm life having grown up in the city and the suburbs. Great book to show how someone else lives.
The author included a handwritten, personal note which was very thoughtful.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book opens with Little Joe's birth on Christmas, he is the best gift Eli has ever had. This is the story of Eli raising Little Joe for the fair competition and sale. Description of the web of rural life are charming with hints of how small farms are imperiled. Dad has sold his dairy herd and is working at a mill. Mom runs a beauty shop out of the old dairy...still Eli is growing up to be a farmer.

[Mary V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won Little Joe, by Sandra Neil Wallace, on goodreads.com. It was a fun book to read. I really enjoyed it, as it brought back memories of raising farm animals from birth only to have to sell them. I also was reminded of when my daughters were first showing animals at our local fairs. Eli has such similar experiences raising, training and showing Little Joe that it was all very familiar to me. Children should enjoy it along with any young at heart adults.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touching story about Eli who is raising his first beef calf bull, Little Joe. He is excited to show at the local country fair and possibly win a blue ribbon. He is not as excited about the beef sale that follows after the show and fair are over.
Note - All beef cattle are sold at the end of these competitions.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received through First Reads. Auryn's going to read it first. Thanks!
Eli got his first cow of his own near Christmas time and named him Little Joe.Little Joe was separated from his mother one day so he would be used to being without her.At the fair Little Joe won first place.I think that the person his dad worked for bought the cow.Auryn 8yo

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Joe is a charming book about the dynamics of three generations in a family that raise beef cattle. Eli doesn't understand why his father treats the beef cattle like the numbers with which they are tagged while he feels so close to his grandpa who still calls the cows by name. By the end of the story, Eli understands why his father is the man he is and that it is ok to be himself.

[Kris Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about a boy and his first show cow. Author does well w/ family relationships, the natural world, and the normal feelings of a 10 year old boy (I think he's either 10 or 11). Would recommend to animal lovers and 4-H kids for sure.

[Pj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved-hated this book and could not put it down.I loved the grandpa and his relationship with Eli. I didn't like the father very well. I was afraid to finish the book because I didn't want to calf to leave. Read it yourself to find out what happens to Little Joe at the county fair.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit, as a city girl, this book did not grab my interest at first. There were a lot of farming details that I did not understand, but were definitely needed for the plot. The well developed characters and heartwarming story had me hooked after a few chapters.

[Sari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading Little Joe. It reminded me of growing up and raising lambs for the fair. My dad was a bit more understanding though. Tjis is a book that both children and adults would enjoy reading and can be shared by the whole family.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite bits of the story are all the interactions between Grandpa and Eli. Grandpa is just a great guy.

[Kevin Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author weaves the story masterfully and colourfully, exploring the relationships between Little Joe and those humans that surround him. Wonderful!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It was about a boy and his cow, and he raised it to sell in a fair. But... Oh I can't tell you! Read it! This was the other book my Aunt got me before the book was published.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a SC book award book for 2012. Reminded me of PA but I don't look forward to having to explain the word castration to fourth graders.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers of Charlotte's Web know the strong bond that forms between a child and an animal they have raised. The story of Little Joe the calf tugs at your heart.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of Charlotte's web but with cows

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, gentle, and thoughtful novel. An irresistable story for any animal lover.

[Buckham Kids Library]

Cow