The Black Fawn

by Jim Kjelgaard

...the bus driver saying, "Hey, Sloan. You aim to get out in the next hour or so?" Bud looked up to see that the bus was parked at the Bennett's drive. He squeezed past Get Umberdehoven and ran up the drive, stopping long enough to ruffle Shep's ears when he came bounding to meet him. Daydreaming about Old Yellowfoot had made him feel better. The arrival of Gram and Gramps' children and grandchildren was as certain as the rising of the sun. Bud knew that they would displace him, for they belonged and he did not. But Christmas was not yet at hand and, maybe, if he wished hard enough, it never would come. Anyhow, there were at least the days before Christmas, and he decided to live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. In spite of the snow, Gramps was working on the little building that Munn Mackie had brought in his truck. Gramps had installed new and larger windows, put in insulation and rebuilt the door and hung it on new hinges. He was replacing some of the outside boards when Bud came up. Bud asked no questions although now he wanted to. But he had ignored the building the day it was delivered, and pride prevented his asking about it now. "By gummy," Gramps said over the blows of his hammer, which were strangely muffled in the storm, "sure looks as though we hit it right." "We sure did," Bud agreed. Gramps said solemnly, "Got the same feeling in my bones as I had just before we caught Old Shark. Only this feeling's 'bout Old Yellowfoot. We'll nail him sure before the season's out." "Gee! Are you sure?" Bud said, his reserve gone. "Sure's a body can be 'thout putting it down on paper and swearing to it in front of Squire Sedlock. Yep. We're going to lay that old tyrant low." "Gee!" Bud said again. "That'll be something! I'll run along and change." "Come out when you're set if you've a mind to." The storm-muffled thumps of Gramps' hammer were magic in Bud's ears as he ran around to the kitchen door, for in his imagination they had become...

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Classics, Childrens

44 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

an American author of young adult literature.

Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's point of view.

Jim Kjelgaard committed suicide in 1959, after suffering for several years from chronic pain and depression.
- Wikipedia -

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Kjelgaard a lot when I was younger but had missed this one somehow. It is a compelling story about an orphan boy who is sent to live and work at a farm. He is scared but scared to admit it; and he does not trust people, having had no reason so far in his life to do so. What will he learn about life and himself while on the farm?

And the black fawn.....will he be a pet? Or an oracle to be consulted at hard moments when our hero Bud has problems?

They grow up together and yet apart, and the ending is perfect. I greatly enjoyed the book and am eager to read the two other Kjelgaard titles I have found recently that also somehow were overlooked years ago.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Kjelgaard's books but this one resonated with me particularly. A orphan, probably raised in the city, going to a farm in the woods and learning to fish, hunt, and appreciate the land, even raising his own chickens. Hunting is about respect, sportsmanship, and actually a far less cruel death than if they weren't hunted. I don't think many people realize that and just assume hunting is easy (go try to find a deer then) and the poor deer would live happily to old age if not hunted... If I had read this when I was about ten, no doubt it would have been a favourite.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Alan, an orphan, is sent to the Bennett farm. The Bennett's eleven children are grown and have left home and Gramps believes he needs help with the farm. After introductions where the kind Bennett couple let him know they prefer to be called Gram and Gramps and Alan prefers to be called Bud, he is put to work in the field and milking cows. The work doesn't bother Bud but trusting the seemingly kind couple does.

When Bud has some free time he is free to wander the farm. When he enters the Bennett's woods he comes across a newborn fawn who seems to be abandoned. Bud cradles the fawn in his arms, immediately identifying with the fawn because he feels alone too.

Buds's relationship with the Bennetts warms over time. He becomes more comfortable and learns from Gramps how to milk a cow, about farming, as well as how to hunt and fish. Bud soon realizes that he would like to become a farmer and researches different aspects before delving into some projects of his choice. Consequently, Gramps learns from Bud too. Bud goes through an uneasy period when all the Bennett's children and grandchildren are expected for the holidays. Any time Bud is feeling low or has a decision to make, he seeks out the black fawn although he knows he will never again be able to get as close to it as he once did.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Fawn. Bud does a great deal of growing and learning in the five years of the story. He learns to care for the older couple who care so much for him. The last chapter is a little long on detail as Gramps and Bud set off on a dear hunt. While reading it I had determined that there were two possibilities for the way the story would end but the end was something else entirely.

An enjoyable story for anyone including young adults.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

A feel-good book about hunting and fishing. Also recommends knocking teenagers unconscious when they mouth off. The title character hardly features in the story. It takes one page -- JUST ONE PAGE -- for the orphan hero to go from anti-hunting to pro-hunting.

Too unrealistic? Remember a little thing called the Stanford Prison Experiment? That took just five days for "regular" people to turn into sadists.

Also, this was one of the last books published in Kjelgaard's lifetime. You can see the depression was getting to him. He forces cheerfulness into into it.

[Jag Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bud (Alan), an orphan kid, was sent to the Bennett's house where he would be raised. Gramps made him do chores around the farm and while he was weeding the beans he saw a forest and he promised himself that, as soon as he got the chance to he was going to go into that forest. Then the next day after he was done with his chores gram and Gramps let him go to the forest where he found this black fawn (baby buck) and he felt an instant relationship between him and the fawn and Gramps made him put him back and after time went on. Gramps taught Bud how to fish and to hunt. Now that he is in high school he wants to go to college, and take over the Bennett's farm and Gram and Gramps gave him some purebred chickens. Gramps wanted to hunt the black buck but, in the end he spared the black buck.
I liked this book because I could really relate to bud with animals and such. I liked how the author Put everything together, in way that it's not just a farmers everyday life. It had pretty cool story going on for Gramps and Bud.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about Bud, a 12 year old orphan boy, sent out to work and live at the farm of an elderly couple. After having their eleven grown children move away from the farm, they had lots of love to give to a boy with a needy heart. Gram’s cookies and delicious meals fill the story with homey goodness. Gramps teaches Bud to farm, fish and hunt. His wisdom of nature and life is fascinating, and leads the two of them into following the growth of the black fawn.

[Erin Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read.

[Daniel Burkard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A growing up atory

[Elisabeth Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say this book is well written about a boy having a bond with a fawn as Bud grows in the farm and knowing where he stands and how he navigates as a helping hand for Gramps and Gram.

[Ellee Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book “The Black Fawn” by Jim Kjelgaard! This story begins as Bud, still being an orphan at age 12, gets taken under the wings of an old couple who like to be called “Gram” and “Gramps.” He quickly wanders off into the forest near their home where he finds a black fawn. From the moment he sets eyes on this majestic creature, he immediately shares a tight, unanimous, brother-like bond with it. Throughout the whole book, Bud finds that everything has a way of reverting back to the black fawn. I really enjoyed this book! It was actually one of the most laid back books I’ve ever read, which sounds exceedingly boring, but it was quite interesting and fun! This book was never difficult for me to pick up and read time after time as I finished it. It kept a very peaceful feeling while always keeping you on the edge of a cliff, which I enjoyed very much! I was quite impressed with the author’s skills and talents in writing. He used higher lever wording and description most of the time, but he did it in a sense that made it easy to read and follow. His ideas were subtle, and yet phenomenal! It was easy to relate to this book in many ways, but there was one particular aspect that stood out to me. I enjoyed the scene explaining Bud’s first encounter with the black fawn because it reminds me about the deep connection I have felt with each of my 3 brothers. I remember one time my younger brother’s friend came over to our house on his scooter in a rush to tell us that my youngest brother had fallen on the walk home from school and got scraped up pretty badly. Because I cared about him so much that I didn’t want anything to be wrong him, I got worried not knowing the circumstances. I told my mom what happened. Our car was in the shop with my dad, so we couldn’t drive. I ran at a tremendous record for me the half mile to where they were in about 3 minutes. Once I got to him, he was sitting on the ground with my other brother, not really crying a whole lot. He was fine with only a couple scrapes and a very sore arm. But the thought of something happening to him was terrifying to me, as it was for Bud relating to the black fawn. The theme I found in this book is that there will always be somebody there for you, that is, if you look for them! I absolutely loved it!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read the paperback book version in middle school (not an ebook), and enjoyed the details about the main character's farm life. It was interesting to see how he reconnects with the deer going from little fawn to clever buck.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book from Jim Kjelgaard about an orphan being taken out of an orphanage and learning about interacting with wildlife, working a farm, and becoming a sportsman. Another book I highly recommend.

[Michael Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical Jim Kjelgaard book, but enjoyable none-the-less. It is an endearing coming-of-age story of a young orphan sent to work on a farm and the relationship he develops with the older couple who become his "grandparents." Great story!

[Jim Pozenel · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Liked it"

This is the second book by Jim Kjelgaard that I've downloaded from Project Gutenberg. I really enjoy his stories and wish I had read these when I was a kid.

[Minervinij · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this entire book except for the last chapter it just got too boring..... Now it sits on a bookshelf and stares at me day after day!

[Eveline Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of an orphan boy stole my heart. I love the ending!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ending is perfect. Even though I listened to this via Librivox I was still able to visualize every aspect of the story. Gramps is the best character ever.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although nicely written, this story dragged and dragged for me. It seems like it took me almost forever to read.

✿●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●✿●✿●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●✿
🟣Kindle version.