Hoggee

by Anna Myers

Howard Gardner is starving to death. All spring and summer, Howard and his older, more charming brother Jack worked as hoggees, driving the mules that pulled boats along the Erie Canal. In a misguided attempt to outshine his brother, Howard chooses to stay behind in Birchport for the winter to save his traveling money and send it home to his family. After his winter job falls through, Howard fears that he might not survive the winter. As desperate as Howard is, he is haunted by the sadness he sees in the eyes of Sarah, the granddaughter of the man who keeps the mules. Even though she's older than her two sisters, she never speaks, and she seems completely disconnected from the world. Sarah's family won't discuss her problem with outsiders, but Howard longs to help her in any way he can, and his quest to do so eventually reveals to him how he truly compares to his brother. Once again, Anna Myers has crafted a moving, nuanced coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of an intriguing historical era.

Genres: Historical Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Chelsea Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great middle grade historical read about life working on the Erie Canal in the 1800’s. The main character befriends a deaf girl and her family and eventually discovers sign language. Really a cool look at disabilities and how society acknowledges them, and how far accessibility has come.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. fiction, children's fiction, middle grades, historical fiction, 19th c., canals

[Natalie Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ran across this book at a discount bookstore and then discovered the other works of this author from Oklahoma. Hoggee is a great, engaging historical tale, obviuusly well researched with endearing characters. Anna Myers has become one of my all time favorite kid lit authors.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at history of Erie Canal

[Eric Barraza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book!!!!