Twelve-year-old Josh Jones is an orphan but he does have a mother—his seventeen-year-old Aunt Lou.  He also shares the farm with his grandfather and Uncle Charlie and life is great; he even likes school.  But when he hears that his great-grandfather is coming to live with them it sounds as if the idyll is at an end.  Then when he overhears his relations making a list of eligible suitors for Aunt Lou he decides that it is time to take matters into his own hands...

This is a reprint of this well-loved book, originally published back in 1981.  If you think that it might be a bit dated think again, as the themes explored in this tale are as old as time.  Josh tells the story in his own words, and we see his world through the eyes of a typical boy of his age.  Fishing in the creek, wishing for a dog of his own and helping with chores, he brings the long summer days to life.  What transpires is an amusing, very human story of a boy growing up and discovering what is truly important in life.  I can imagine boys and girls Josh’s age (and anybody older than that of course) enjoying this lively tale of life in the old West and the thought-provoking questions it poses.  This is the first book in a quartet, and I can’t wait to read the others.  Highly recommended.