Sharley's Lessons

by R.K. Vetter

"Sharley wasn't my best friend forever. That's just because Sharley wouldn't have the chance at forever. None of us do, of course. But Sharley left me at an age when it had never occurred to us that we might not have a forever."

Enjoy spending quality time with Sharley and Kate in the innocence of midwest, rural Iowa during the late '50s and early '60s. Experience Sharley's endearing antics and the enduring friendship that lives on in the lessons that can be learned from it. Share in this delightful journey of both human and spiritual growth. Then continue on in your own life as "keeper of all of Sharley's lessons."

108 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2016

About the author

RK Vetter grew up on two farms in Iowa and began her formal education in two one-room schoolhouses. After serving 21 years in Nebraska elementary classrooms, she served as a storytime lady, better known to preschoolers as Library Kay, for thirteen years. RK and her husband currently live in Spartanburg, S.C., where she writes, "farms" her yard, and explores state parks and historical sites. RK Vetter blogs at rkvetter.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Jan Peregrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharley's Lesson~~

After enjoying RK Vetter's 2020 young children's book Mama Knew A Chicken, I read her 2016 older children's book Sharley's Lessons. I'm not entirely sure what the lessons were as I associate lessons with discipline, hard work, punishment. Reading the book doesn't seem like any of those.

I've read that language was invented to woo women. Children's books, it occurs to me, are written to woo children. Instead of using 'lessons' in the title, maybe...gift...would woo them more?.

The story, set in the early 1960s Iowa countryside, springs from the memories of the author as she happily grew up. Known as Kate she's in a country school where she, her little brother, and best friend Sharley (not Charlie Brown) go to, or did Sharley go to town school? It doesn't matter. Little about school enters the story. I suspect Kate was an excellent student who challenged herself against the older kids in the one-room K-8 grade room.

Vetter writes the book from her child's perspective. It's all about her close friendship with Sharley who was a tomboyish girl her age that died from childhood leukemia. The last few chapters introduce Sharley's strange sickness, Kate's worries and horror, and the day of the funeral.

Before that he book is a whole lot of fun that triggered some of my own memories of growing up in rural Nebraska a decade or so later. Kate had a cat named Cat and a big, lazy dog named Ox, but she doesn't really focus on her friendships with them. She had no chicken she loved as her Mama had, but rather she hated the chickens she had to gather (steal) eggs from.

I loved the fun Kate and Sharley had eating candy and homemade ice cream, swinging from a tire (spinners were no longer allowed), climbing their favorite tree (which a storm promptly collapsed), Sharley giving 'fluffs' after pulling a 52-card pick-up game, jumping in the hayloft, watching their younger siblings (even neighborhood kids for money), riding fast over 'butterfly' hills and waking barefoot on sharp rocks (Kate wasn't a fan).

Kate notices a difference between her and Sharley, a difference in manners and the size of their houses and how Sharley could refuse to do a chore \like egg gathering that Kate couldn't refuse.

Kate doesn't always like Sharley. Friends don't always, she realizes, but are there for each other.

On the back cover the book is summed up as offering human and spiritual growth. Well, I don't see a difference between the two. Perhaps the story ends with a 'heavenly' visit from Sharley, but that only tells me that Kate's psyche was learning to deal with the tragedy.

Nice family-friendly story with lots of humor until the end. Hope you'll enjoy it!.

[Cindy Vanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well written tale of youth, friendship, and life lessons. The rural 1960's setting is fantastic and vividly brought to life with wonderful details. The story is heartfelt and real and moves quickly. It does an excellent job of stirring nostalgic feelings for both the era and being young. I think it would appeal to readers who like "Bridge to Terabithia" or other thoughtful and sincere young adult books. (P.S. It was fun that one of the characters is named "Cindy" as surprisingly I do not come across my name very often in books!)

[Jack Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate and her friend Sharley enjoy sleepovers and fun times on the family farms. At a young age, Kate begins to understand loss in a way that she never could before. This is a charming story of life on a farm when children enjoyed simple things to entertain themselves and build relationships. Kate and Sharley build a friendship in a relatively short time that will produce a lifetime of memories for Kate.

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes the reader back to a remembered childhood of simplicity. Kate is telling of her family and Sharleys family in rural life as youngsters. So enjoyed the play in their day and the interactions of neighbors. The Edsel had just appeared by Ford and farming was a way of life. The characters were most enjoyable as they interacted with one another. Is a sad ending, but worth the read.

[Cindelu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads.
It was a lovely easy to read book about two young girls growing up in the 50/60's on farms in Iowa. There is laughter and sorrow involved. I enjoyed the authors style of writing and thought she did a beautiful job on the characters of the girls.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book through a giveaway - great addition to my classroom library. My students have enjoyed it and it's been checked out several times.