Way Back in the Ozarks: The Story of A Boy, His Dog and His 'Coon

by Howard Hefley

The story of Howard "Ozark Monk" Hefley and the critters who roam the hills and hollers with him in the Ozark Mountains gives new meaning to the phrase "man's best friend." Young Monk communes with nature to the degree that his closest pals--a cur dog named Danny Boy, a pet racoon named Joe, and a tame black snake called Curly--are his permanent appendages. They go on fishing expeditions, to basketball games, and even to his one-room schoolhouse, much to the dismay of some adults around him. The antics and mishaps of boy and beast will keep readers laughing and sometimes crying until the last page is turned. Even Howard's nickname, "Monk," handed him because of his monkey-like ability to skinny up a tree, connotes his identity with the animal world as he grows up in Newton County, Arkansas. Among his stories, include, wedging himself in a hollow tree and almost getting eaten alive by black ants, only to be rescued by mean 'ole Hobert Criner, on whom he has just played a horrendously dirty trick. He tells of stuffing a skunk in the principal's desk, stinking up the school and of the time when pint-sized Curly becomes a champion squirrel hunter, and much, much more. Tagged the "Huck Finn of the Ozarks," Monk teams up with his brother James Carl, author of Way Back in the Hills and Way Back When, in this hilarious, heartwarming story of a boy, his 'coon, and his dog.

Genres: Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

Reviews

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
Not the best morals perhaps, but a very enjoyable and entertaining read. A great read aloud for school children

[Shannon Teper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this glimpse into the past, and into the lives of a family in the Ozarks. The characters, all but the baddie, of course, were likable and the author's childhood stories were entertaining. There was a wonderful sense of time and place, and I was able to travel to another time and place by opening the pages of this book.

[Gwenn Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it well-written? Well enough. Nonetheless, I was 100% invested by the end and nearly cried.
I chose this book because my grandfather grew up in the Ozarks in the 1930s. He always had some crazy stories to tell. Seems he wasn’t the only one.

[Sarah Doubenmier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this! Fun stories of living in Arkansas. I cracked up a number of times. He reminded me of a Tom Sawyer.

[Partridge Public]

Hefley, James C. PB

[Juliana Marez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me a lot about my granddads childhood.
The authors parents are buried near my families in the hills.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I barely remember reading this as a kid. This is another one I'd like to explore again.

[Charlie Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dont like reading books but after this booka, wow, i love reading these kinds of books!