All Alone

by Claire Huchet Bishop, Feodor Rojankovsky (Illustrator)

After climbing the high slopes of the French Alps to tend his family's cows, ten-year-old Marcel is faced with a difficult dilemma--obey his father or help a friend.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile, France, Adventure, Middle Grade

90 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Claire Huchet Bishop (December 30 1898 – 13 March 1993) was a Swiss-born American children's novelist and librarian. She was the winner of the Newbery Honor Medal for "Pancakes-Paris" and "All Alone," and won the Josette Frank Award for "Twenty and Ten." Her children's book "The Five Chinese Brothers" won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1959.

An American born in Geneva, Switzerland, Bishop grew up in France and Geneva. She attended the Sorbonne and started the first children's library in France.
After marrying American concert pianist Frank Bishop, she moved to the United States. She worked for the New York City Public Library from 1932-1936. She was an apologist for Roman Catholicism and an opponent of antisemitism.

She was a lecturer and storyteller throughout the U.S., and a children's book editor. Beal was the President of International Council of Christians & Jews from 1975–1977, and the President of the Jewish-Christian Fellowship of France from 1976-1981.

After residing in New York for 50 years, Bishop returned to France and died in Paris in 1993. She was 94 years old.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice quick read. I might have considered five stars without the final chapter. The illustrations by Feodor Rojankovsky are wonderful. I'm a bit wary of the ending with its drinking to the health of the community. It's rather a stretch, and it makes the book feel a bit false - like propaganda, which it does seem to be.

Based on my limited research, it appears that Bishop was not promoting communism, but rather communitarianism. She wrote on this topic in other works, such as All Things Common (1950). One important distinction between this and communism is that the workers themselves, not the state, own the means of production.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcel is ten years old, and he is finally old enough to be sent up the French Alps to keep watch over his family's cattle for the entire summer. Though Marcel's father trusts him, he also makes it clear to his son that he is not to make friends with anyone during his summer away. The attitude of Marcel's entire community is that getting involved with neighbors can only lead to trouble. Marcel's father wants Marcel to focus only on the task at hand, and to avoid anything which might jeopardize the cattle. Once Marcel is on the mountain, however, he finds it comforting to hear the yodeling of another boy who is tending his own herd. He tries not to befriend the boy, but when disaster strikes, his attitude must change in order to ensure both boys' survival, and that of their cows.

This Newbery Honor book from 1954 is mostly a compelling story of friendship, adventure, and the first taste of independence. The details given by the author make it easy for the reader to envision the story's setting, and the interactions between Marcel and his dad do a wonderful job of setting up the main tension of the book. I read the book aloud to my older two girls (ages 3 and 5) and they were totally hooked and invested in every thread of the plot.

I was disappointed, though, by the ending. When all is said and done, Marcel's neighbors come to the realization that they can be more successful farmers if they pool their resources and work together. Suddenly, this highly individualistic group of people becomes completely community-minded, and the final chapter of the book lays down a very heavy-handed moral that feels a bit like Communist propaganda. My husband did some research and shared with me that the author meant to promote communitarianism, which emphasizes ownership by the community and not by the government. Whichever ideology she is promoting, though, that last chapter just feels out of place and uncomfortable, as does all blatant propaganda in children's literature. I would still recommend the book because of the theme of friendship and the truly exciting adventure scenes, but I think it would have been a better book all around if it hadn't taken its lesson quite so far.

This review also appears on my blog,Read-at-Home Mom.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contender for read aloud, school year 12/13. JoAnne, I think this one makes the cut! This could be our "French Alps" bit of culture! What if we have a map and place all our books on it in their locations?

What a little treasure!! This is a really simple, small book (under 100 pages) that holds a lot of heart and a great message. Doing what's right and helping another human in need will always bring you blessings in the long run.

Newberry Honor book, 1948.

[Phil J · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young French child living near the Alps learns to reject self-sufficiency and embrace Communism.

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story that takes place in the mountains won a Newbery Honor in 1954, the same year the Newbery winner (Joseph Krumgold's ...And Now Miguel) was also a book about the mountains.

I was pleasantly surprised by All Alone, a story about the irreplaceable nature of friendship and how when one makes such a bond, it should be fought for to the end.

Marcel, unlike his father, understands this. Despite the fact that every adult local follows the rule of not getting involved with neighbors because it could lead to trouble, Marcel strikes up a friendship with another herder boy. Their simple yet strong connection shows the adults that friendship is too important not to pursue.

Though it's short and uncomplicated, All Alone has special emotional resonance for me. Well done, Claire Huchet Bishop.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two young boys are herding cattle in the mountains during the summer when disaster strikes. A short, sweet (perhaps a little to sweet) story that won a newbery honor in the 1950s.
The ending was a bit much for me and overall I thought the story was told in extremes, making it a little difficult to find it believable.

[Vonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book about a boy that lived the golden rule against the wishes of his father. It always feels good to read a book with a moral to the story.

[Tamara York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newbery Challenge 185/415. 3.5 stars. This is the story of a young boy who is charged with taking his family’s cows up to the mountains to pasture for the summer, all alone. I was struck with the responsibility and maturity that the main character showed. The book took the theme of community from one extreme to the other, perhaps taking it too far in the final chapter. Overall, a nice little read.

[Lisa Laureano · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are depths to this story that are unexpected, given the charming illustrations and short length. The excellent storytelling is always compelling. An adult can quickly guess the broad outlines of what is coming, but will be no less intrigued by how the author gets there, nor any less touched by the resolution of the plot's dilemmas. Claire Hutchet Bishop also wrote Twenty and Ten and The Five Chinese Brothers, two other children's literature treasures.

[Mona Ammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newberry Award Honor Book, All Alone by Claire Hutchet Bishop. A sweet tale of two 9 year old boys whose fathers send them to the mountains to watch the cows. They are on separate parts of the mountain and are told not to involve themselves with the other. Their village is full of suspicious and everyone for themselves folks. But the boys are young and lonely. They start by yodeling to each other, then circumstances happen when their herds get comingled and an act of nature has them toughing it out together with no outside assistance for a week. The village pulls together to rescue the boys and a new era of cooperation is born.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree that the ending was a little too much. Could have started the town in the right direction, letting it heal over many years future to the book being written. Either way, it was a fun read with some good morals.

[Kaitlyn Papp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: 4-6
This is a story about a young boy (10 years old) being sent off to the mountains to take care of the cows all by himself for the summer. The town is content with keeping to themselves which is exactly what the boy's father wanted of him. There ends up being another boy in the mountains that begins to yodel and the main character has to figure out whether to interact or not. The story involves some cultural aspects and is a pretty simple read! There is a heartfelt sincerity felt through this book as the boy decides to do what he feels is right and fallow his own heart and mind.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about Marcel, a young ten year-old boy, who must spend the entire summer shepheding his family's three heifers up in the mountain's pastures. He must strictly follow his town's motto of "each man for himself" and refuse to talk to anyone, to have anything to do with other cows, but rather, to mind his own business and his own cows no matter what. His father emphasized the importance of these cows and how they solely were the family's fortune. Through a series of unplanned events, Marcel encountered his school mate, Pierre Pascal, and the two must work together to keep their cows safe instead of worrying only about their own.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about two boys, sent up into the French Alps to watch their family's cows for the summer, with strict instructions to have nothing to do with each other or anyone from any other family. The villages families keep strictly to themselves to protect what they have. But the boys have to work together to protect themselves in the midst of an enormous storm with life-changing consequences. Though there is no author's note, the village named is a commune, so this appears to be at least the legend of the origin of the commune.

[Maxine D'India Aeschleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story that takes place in the French Alps. A young 10 year old boy named Marcel is tasked with taking the family cows to pasture for the summer alone. The town he lives in is an every man for himself type of town and helping your neighbor is frowned upon. He meets another boy up on the mountain through yodeling calls. One day the other boy falls asleep and his cows wander off. Marcel has to decide whether to help the boy or let his cows continue to wander. Marcel wants to help the boy but can hear his fathers angry voice in his ear. What will Marcel choose to do?

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 1953 book about two boys on a mountainside in the French Alps. I LOVED the ending! I thought it was awesome the way the problem was solved. It turns out that communitarianism is completely different from communism and socialism, so I don't know why everyone is so concerned. As if people working together for the common good is always bad. If you like children's books of the period you'll probably like this gentle fable.

[Lisa Gusewelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like using this book for small group reads as many of my students only identify the Eiffel Tower in France and not the looming Alps mountain range that played a significant role in history stories, specifically Napoleon and WWII. This is a quick, amuaing book for 4-6th grade about not only accepting more responsibilities when getting older but also sticking to one's gut about what's right. The end is a bit too shiny and too wholesome, but it isn't written for adults, so it's fine.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: 8+
Content Considerations: boy fears father's beating as punishment (doesn't actually happen)

I really enjoyed this book! I have heard others say the last chapter leans toward communism, but that's not accurate. In the spirit of the book itself, the ending makes sense and doesn't attack capitalism; it simply suggests that at the beginning of village collaboration, the families have hope for a better future. If you enjoy survivor-style books, you'll appreciate this one!

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming little book, fully illustrated. A simple tale. In a rural village in France, the people are at odds with each other. Two boys who are left alone to herd their family cattle in the mountain valleys must come together to help them both survive. The village learns from their example. I enjoyed it. The set up was rather heavy handed, but I thought the writing was decent.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Newberry Honor book from the 1950s tells the story of two young shepherd boys herding cattle in the mountains when disaster strikes. Marcel chooses to follow the Golden Rule by helping his neighbor in need, but the ending (especially the last chapter) seemed a little too much. The author is promoting communitarianism, which places the needs of society above those of individuals.

[Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This small book can be summed up by the phrase “love your neighbor”. It must have been a week year for books. I’m kind of surprised this one was an honor book, as I did not think it was very well written.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

B. children's fiction, grade 3, French Alps, community, boy protagonist, Mom's stash, keep.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those Newbery honors where you seen why it was honored then but maybe not now.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a small town in France, caring for each other and sharing resources.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute story of two boys who take care of their papas' cows.

[Rachael Marsceau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations, and of course I agree with loving and helping our neighbors, but this smacks of communism and me no like.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overcoming tradition to help other people turns out to be the best thing for everyone.

[Nahuatl P Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice.

[Mahina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute but somehow felt like propaganda. Kinda freaked me out.

[Katy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book. Not very deep, but certainly has a good message.