Copper-Toed Boots

by Marguerite de Angeli

Marguerite de Angeli was born in Lapeer, Michigan, in 1889. As a child, she loved to hear her father tell the story of the red leather-topped copper-toed boots he prized when he was a boy.

Recreating the mischievous adventures of that boy through a Michigan summer, "Copper-Toed Boots" escapes to a time of "tradin" with schoolmates, "tradin" at the store, and picnicking during blackberry season. Children of all ages will delight in this realistic portratyal of mid-nineteenth century rural life. From classroom antics to the day the circus comes to town, Marguerite de Angeli vivdly depicts the folk happenings of a little American town.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Picture Books, Middle Grade

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Marguerite de Angeli was an American writer and illustrator of children's books including the 1950 Newbery Award winning book The Door in the Wall. She wrote and illustrated twenty-eight of her own books, and illustrated more than three dozen books and numerous magazine stories and articles for other authors.

Reviews

[Rachael Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been working on reading the deAngeli books for a little while now because I work at the Marguerite deAngeli library and it just seems appropriate to read them. Five days a week I walk past original drawings and a collection of artifacts that includes her Newbery medal. The house she was born in is on a corner that I drive past multiple times a week. Perhaps because of this and because I have spent most of my life living within 20 miles of Lapeer, which is our "city" out this way, I really enjoyed this book.

Copper-Toed Boots is a story of pioneer Lapeer. Like all of deAngeli's stories, it is simple. Shad is just a typical boy. Maybe he gets into trouble a little bit more but most of the time his intentions are good. I say most of the time because there is the incident with the calf in the belfry. A lot of the stories come from tales deAngeli heard growing up. They are rooted in Lapeer history. As fun as it was reading about Shad's adventures, I think I actually had more fun trying to place everything in Lapeer. Where does the Flint River get just deep enough to swim in near Nepessing Street? Where would there be an abandoned mill two or three miles Flint way?

I really did enjoy this book. It was a nice, pleasant read. It was exactly the type of book that I want to share with my children someday.

[Granne52 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet old book with beautiful illustrations, all by Marguerite de Angeli. (The copy of her Henner's Lydia that I grew up reading has been very well loved.)

[Sarah S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read about times of old in Michigan. Some antiquated terminology and ideas, but I'm sure realistic to the time frame it's set in (late 1800s) Illustrations are beautiful, as it to be expected of Marguerite deAngeli.

[Ellen Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book, a favorite childhood book of mine, to my grandson Alex this week. It is still as engaging to me as it was so very many years ago. Ma's potato cakes are just as tantalizing and the freedom of barefoot summers, the circus coming to town, the yearning of a boy for a dog, and the appeal of a bygone era still charm. Also, to read a book that when you open its pages is stitched together (rather than glued) seems delightfully rare now. I loved Marguerite de Angeli's books throughout my elementary school years and collected just about all of them. I am grateful to Mrs. Christy, my teacher, for introducing them to me. Now, I share them with a new generation...

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a vivid picture of the life of a nine-year-old boy in small town America. A child who reads this would come away with an understanding of the art and importance of bartering. Here, too, we see that a boy who wants something, doesn't expect to get it from his parents; he works for it.

[Mrs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Copper-toed Boots last night and I just don't care for it. I think they are probably stories from her father's childhood and it works in that way but as a story for children I don't think it does. I suppose the whole story is leading towards him getting the boots but I'm not sure I'd even figure that out if it wasn't the title of the book. Shad is sneaky and dishonest with his parents and their responses don't satisfy me. I'm glad they find the calf story funny and don't come down too hard on him but I wish he felt more guilt about all of the times he lies (by omission) to them.

[Charlotte]

not much in the way of plot (just the boy wanting his boots and earning a bit of money along the way to get them), but the episodes in his everyday life in long ago small town Michigan are pleasant reading.

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and pleasant children's book with beautiful illustrations. Not terribly long on plot, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Stephanie Salyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good children's story! Reading level is 3/4th grade. Lots of pictures would be good as a read outloud for 2nd through 5th grade.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My six-year old son and I enjoyed this book. Shad is someone boys can relate to with his mischievous antics with his friends. However, he's just the kind of boy you'd want your son to emulate. He sets two goals, getting a dog and a pair of copper toed boots, and he works on his own to accomplish these goals and even makes it to circus too!

[Tree507 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now sharing this family favorite book with my daughter. I can't wait to finish this book and show the houses and places in this book. I have fond memories of walking with my dad around Lapeer while he pointed out places that were in the book. This is something I must pass on the my children and the family stories that go with the places that aren't in the book.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in the town this book is set in, and a friend lived in the house, I want to get a copy of this book so my kids can enjoy the treasure. Great story

[Marija Vidakovic]

The very first book I read myself. It was in a pile of my dad's book from childhood (Serbian translation). I was 6.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book my grandma always wanted me to read when I was a kid but I never did. It's set in Lapeer, just 15 miles from the tiny little town where I grew up, with a direct mention of my hometown! Awesome.