The Beatinest Boy

by Jesse Stuart, Robert Henneberger (Illustrator)

The Beatinest Boy is the first actual book written for children by Jesse Stuart. It recounts the story of the orphaned David, who moves in with Grandma Beverly. David soon comes to love his grandmother. As Christmas nears, he wants to buy her a present, but he can’t bring himself to kill the possums for their skins. Then with Christmas just days away he suddenly thinks of a present that he can make for her that has been right there all along.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Historical Fiction

110 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Jesse Hilton Stuart was an American writer known for writing short stories, poetry, and novels about Southern Appalachia. Born and raised in Greenup County, Kentucky, Stuart relied heavily on the rural locale of Northeastern Kentucky for his writings. Stuart was named the Poet Laureate of Kentucky in 1954. He died at Jo-Lin nursing home in Ironton, Ohio, which is near his boyhood home.

Reviews

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this heart warming, character building story aloud to the family at Christmas. It has become a favorite of everyone.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 5 out of 5]

David is an orphan taken in by his Grandma Beverley. He finds a mangy coonhound puppy and brings him home, naming him Orphan. With the help of Grandma Beverley and Boliver Tussie, a man who is the best hound-dog doctor in the area, Orphan grows up to be a handsome tan and white hound.

And then Christmas is coming and David knows neither he nor Grandma have much money to make it special. But he wants to do something for his grandmother, so he and Orphan go out hunting. His hunting trip doesn't go as David plans, so next he decides to cut down a honey tree and sell the honey for money. That also doesn't go the way he wanted, but another kind woman shows David how to make something very special for his grandmother.

A home-y, good-feeling book; excellent for younger readers.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it every year aloud to the children at Christmas.

[Jersc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hated the book when the boy was hunting the possums, but keep reading. He redeems himself. A good little book to inspire goodness in children.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids and I loved this cute book about a grandsons many attempts to get, earn, and make his grandmother a gift.

[Kathleen McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet amazing book that softens my heart with the love this boy David has with the land around, and the deep appreciation and active love he has for his Grandma Beverley who has such strength to take care of things and care for him in such a way she sees his strengths and encourages his adventure while teaching and guiding him. It's three love stories in young David's life - with dog, land and grandmother.

It is in the language of the Kentucky hills written by the poet-laureate of Kentucky and the woodcut illustrations are so stunning - I want to frame 3 or 4 of them - by illustrator Robert Henneberger. In this book I learned how to dig up herbs, how to harvest honey from an oak trees while protecting the bees through the winter and how to make useful linen items out of flour sacks. We see how the community in these hills is connected and help each other. The interdependence and kindness is uplifting - something our society is losing and this look into that kind of life is inspiring and refreshing.

[Amelyn Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming, wholesome tale of Appalachia long ago. David finds a puppy near death in an old log. After nursing him back to health, he takes the dog on a few adventures. This story includes a bit of Christmas cheer, but can be enjoyed any time of the year.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, heartwarming story about a boy who lives with his grandma. They work well together, and I love a story that teaches hard work and mutual respect. My 8 yr old also keeps a running list of interesting words, and this book was full of great descriptive ones!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short book that had a sweet little feel to it. Yet it was very accurate in the things that it represented, but it was at its heart a story of a boy growing up without his parents, finding a dog, his relationship with his grandmother and living in the hills.

[Erin Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely little story.

[Tayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Has a lot of good values, lessons, morals. A little slow. Maybe one I could read to them? Good Christmas story.

[Jennilynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia and I read this book as part of her language curriculum and we enjoyed it. It is a wonderful story of a "beatinest" (best) boy and his grandmother.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wholesome story.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Robert Henneberger illustrations are beautifully detailed. Although there are not many of them, they fit the feel of the book perfectly.
In this book, the description of the land is so vividly described, one can imagine sifting through the wooded Kentucky landscape with a hound! The relationship between David and his grandmother is revealed in such a heartwarming way and the respect the characters have for one another, animals and nature is endearing. I will admit that I was a bit tense with the hunting of possums... but as another reader mentioned this story line takes a turn and has a very satisfactory resolution.
I would recommend this book if you enjoy charming storytelling about a bygone era, told in simple straightforward way.

[Beth Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Woth so much negative message in kids books these days, it's so wo derful to see a book full of uplifting and positive things. Respect and love for family members, responsibility, honesty, etc. These are the kinds of stories I want to fill my kid's heads and hearts with. A great story that is a perfect length for any read aloud.

[Catherine Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son liked it, but it didn't catch my interest at all.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little book by Jessie Stuart; enjoyable.

[Sarah Loft · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read-aloud and quality children's book. Highly recommended for its educational, literary and moral merit.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming story of a simpler time. The affection and companionship of a boy and his Grandmother touches my heart.

[Amanda Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended for our The Good and the Beautiful homeschooling curriculum. It was wholesome and my 7 year old and I enjoyed it!

[Kelsey Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple plot and not very deep character development because it's short anyway. We loved the storytelling and the kids got pulled into Orphan hunting racoons and the simple systems and chores in farm life. Heartwarming.