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The Bearcat
Young Jeff, after failing the eighth grade, goes to work in the Bearcat, a Montana mine operation at the turn of the century. There he encounters the unsafe conditions, low pay and corrupt management that the older men have taken for granted for years.
Through the influence of Ben Thurston, the young schoolteacher, Jeff and the miners slowly realize that reform is possible. They hear that labor unions are mushrooming throughout the country, some formed peacefully, some by terrorist methods.
The Bearcat is the story of a few men and a boy struggling to achieve, by peaceful measures, the improved conditions so desperately needed by thousands of workers of that time.
Through the influence of Ben Thurston, the young schoolteacher, Jeff and the miners slowly realize that reform is possible. They hear that labor unions are mushrooming throughout the country, some formed peacefully, some by terrorist methods.
The Bearcat is the story of a few men and a boy struggling to achieve, by peaceful measures, the improved conditions so desperately needed by thousands of workers of that time.
231 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1960
9 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Johnson
30 books9 followersFrom the age of twelve, Annabel was dedicated to a future of being an author, so that by the time she was twenty she had begun to see the happenings of her life as material for books to come. Prior to her writing career she worked in publishing houses as a librarian, as a legal secretary, and in other secretarial posts.
In 1955 she and her husband Edgar began their co-authorship by writing historical novels of the old West, traveling the country, visiting the scenes of their stories and delving into their research while living in an eight-foot camping trailer, trying to make ends meet on an author’s meager royalties. They had no home base, except a certain spot in the Mojave Desert in winter, and another site in the National Forest in Wyoming in the summer.
The Johnsons co-authored many popular works of historical and science fiction both for young adults and adults. They began their career together, however, with several novels set in the Old West, intending to bring that period to life for children far removed from the country. They spent several years traveling throughout the western United States, seeking out little known facets of western history, and compiling accounts of old-timers they met, and of their own experiences. As time passed they shifted their focus more toward the present era, in an effort to help their readers come to terms with today's world.
In 1966, with the growing success of their books, they settled in Denver, but after Edgar’s death, Annabel came home to Arizona, to continue her career in the desert setting she has always loved. She bought a lovely home in Leisure World and settled in. With each new novel she wrote her excitement never left her.
Annabell Jones Johnson passed into a new life February 9, 2013.
In 1955 she and her husband Edgar began their co-authorship by writing historical novels of the old West, traveling the country, visiting the scenes of their stories and delving into their research while living in an eight-foot camping trailer, trying to make ends meet on an author’s meager royalties. They had no home base, except a certain spot in the Mojave Desert in winter, and another site in the National Forest in Wyoming in the summer.
The Johnsons co-authored many popular works of historical and science fiction both for young adults and adults. They began their career together, however, with several novels set in the Old West, intending to bring that period to life for children far removed from the country. They spent several years traveling throughout the western United States, seeking out little known facets of western history, and compiling accounts of old-timers they met, and of their own experiences. As time passed they shifted their focus more toward the present era, in an effort to help their readers come to terms with today's world.
In 1966, with the growing success of their books, they settled in Denver, but after Edgar’s death, Annabel came home to Arizona, to continue her career in the desert setting she has always loved. She bought a lovely home in Leisure World and settled in. With each new novel she wrote her excitement never left her.
Annabell Jones Johnson passed into a new life February 9, 2013.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 6, 2023
It's been a little while since I've read teen fiction but this was one of my husband's favorites growing up so I decided to give it a read.
This is the kind of YA fiction that I love in that the author makes it just as enjoyable for adults.
I love Jeff, the main character and how he grows throughout the story and the way in which his teacher pushes him into maturity. I was annoyed with the mother a lot of the story. I had my suspicions about certain characters. The twins were hilarious. Becky was nice. I loved the teacher, and the father was a mixture of great at some moments and annoying at others, but he turned out okay in the end.
The story was inspiring with a great moral lesson. Totally recommend.
This is the kind of YA fiction that I love in that the author makes it just as enjoyable for adults.
I love Jeff, the main character and how he grows throughout the story and the way in which his teacher pushes him into maturity. I was annoyed with the mother a lot of the story. I had my suspicions about certain characters. The twins were hilarious. Becky was nice. I loved the teacher, and the father was a mixture of great at some moments and annoying at others, but he turned out okay in the end.
The story was inspiring with a great moral lesson. Totally recommend.
Displaying 1 of 1 review