The Apple Dumpling Gang

by Jack M. Bickham

About a group of orphaned children during the California gold rush.

Genres: Fiction, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Humor

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Pseudonyms:
Jeff Clinton, John Miles, Arthur Williams

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Bickham was one of my tenured professors in the Professional Writing program at OU. He was a charming curmudgeon who made us work very hard to produce our novels short stories. He was also an accomplished writer, and this was his most famous book. It was made into a Disney movie with Don Knotts, and I saw it the other day on TCM. Jack taught me a great deal about writing, and he made me think.

Don't read his book, Tie Breaker. It's terrible, but many of his other books are wonderful and charming. I'm glad I knew him.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one quite a bit, it's pretty different then what I remember from the film, though it has been about thirty years since I've seen it. The sheriff is good, he has been able to keep peace in the town but there are three gangs outside of town causing problems that he hasn't been able to catch. On top of that he was picking up a package for the town drunk who was leaving town, only for it to be five kids ranging from 17 down to 3 years old. Also the newspaper was bashing him, making the gangs think he was a buffoon. Now all three gangs independently decided to hit the bank at the same time. The sheriff definitely has hands full.

Highly recommended, was a fun read. It's not as slapstick as I remember the film being which makes it a more satisfying read than what I thought it would be.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love the Apple Dumpling Gang movie but the book was not as child-friendly. There was cursing and some minor adult themes. I was able to censor while reading aloud to my 7 and 9-year-old girls.

2021 A book with an illustration on the cover

[Kristy]

I struggled with this book. It's so different from the movie that has been a favorite since I was a kid. Disney really worked some magic turning this book into the delightful movie it is.

[Jeff Mayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a kid when I found out the silly, slapstick, Disney movie was based on it. The book is not particularly funny. It is about a gambler who reluctantly helps five orphans during the gold rush. In the movie, there were only three orphans. It is neither a good nor bad book, just a children's book that exists.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre but a fun story nonetheless. This was my Disney Origins Bookclub read for November.

[Esmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there was ever a match made in heaven, it could have been the Apple Dumpling Gang and Disney. The story as written by Jack Bickham is fun and delightful. A sheriff ends up with the kids of the town drunk - who can't deal with them and leaves town. The hardened sheriff is up for election and the town is frustrated with his inability to arrest outlaws. Trouble comes when the outlaws decide to rob the town bank because they think the sheriff is too busy babysitting. The whole time I read this book, I kept thinking this would make a great movie!

I haven't seen the movie in years and luckily the library had a copy. I loved this movie when I was a kid. As an adult, it was amusing, but not as great as I remember. I guess that is the problem of reading the book and comparing the movie. To be fair, the movie is fun too. Don Knotts and company produce a comedy that kids will love. The movie only has the slightest resemblance to the book. The town name changes to Quake city instead of Hopewell. There are fewer kids. The town gambler ends up with the kids. Some of the characters retain names from the books, but their roles are diminished.

All this begs the question of why? Perhaps we will never understand why Disney takes upon itself to change the source material so drastically. This isn't the only time Disney has done this. Lucky for them, the movie was a hit when it came out. I am thinking it may be time to remake the movie, and make it more like the book. The only problem will be coming up with a contemporary Don Knotts to play the comedic role of an old outlaw and of course the right director who respects the source material.

[Samuel Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this movie. I was very surprised to see that they took a lot of liberties with the screen play. That being said I found that you need to hold the book separate from the movie. This book brought something special to this story. It made me call in love with the Apple Dumpling Gang all over again.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The things you find on the bottom shelf at the library. Shares only a passing resemblance to the Disney movie.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of humorous and worth the time to read.

🎥 Movie version.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure why I decided to read this book. Curiosity, I suppose. I had watched (a long time ago) the Disney movie and remembered it as a very silly, slapsticky, farcical children’s movie. I think I was intrigued to learn that it was based on a book. What kind of book could it possibly be, I wondered. So I sought it out, read it, did not like it and did not dislike it.

Turns out, it’s a slim Western with a humorous air. In it, the sheriff of a small town beset with bandits takes in five homeless children. I did not find it particularly funny, but someone else might.

[Sheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a bunch of Jack M. Bickham westerns, and he never entirely works for me, but sometimes the book doesn't work at all, and sometimes it mostly works. This is one of the mostly works books. It's a slender joke expanded into a slender book, but what makes it work is that I like the main character. But, due to the plot/plunchline, the main character is off stage a lot, which is where it barely works for me.

[Hazel M Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to like the Disney movie, as Don Knotts + Tim Conway chemistry was great for them to go back and forth with. Despite their lack of presence in the book (while the two names are there, it's different characters), I really enjoyed this noel on its own merit. Very nice 'tough guy with kids' kind of situation, but also with a plot involving outlaws and an ungrateful town.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute book... I came across this used book and picked it up because I remembered getting a big kick from the Disney movie with Tim Conway and Don Knotts. It's silly slapstick, but I just love those two guys. Anyway, the book's plot was different (as usual) from the movie and I have to say, much better!!

[Mary L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different from the movie but still quite a hoot to read. I especially liked the sheriff and the oldest boy. The finale scene at the bank must have been really something to see (if it was real which it isn't).

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny :) especially the last part.

[Maryam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gangleader's girl sequel

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the very few times I thought the movie was better and funnier than the book; I'm sure having fond memories from childhood of the movie prejudiced me.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B-. western, fiction, humor.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story that is great for all ages and great to share.