Old Ben

by Jesse Stuart, James M. Gifford (Editor), Chuck D. Charles (Editor)

For Shan, it began as an ordinary summer's day. He was doing what he liked best, walking barefoot down a wellworn cow path to a clover field where he knew a sweet apple tree grew. Then he met Old Ben, a big bull black snake, sunning himself in the clover, and that summer day and all the days that followed, until early fall, became extraordinary. "The only good snake is a dead snake." That's what Shan's father had always said. But Old Ben with his gentle, friendly ways changed that saying and brought a new understanding about snakes to every member of Shan's family. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title

Genres: Childrens

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

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

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[Zhane]

it was a good story

[Korey Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, brings back old child hood memories

[Sarah Loft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both my 8 and 5 year old are Jesse Stuart fans, as am I. Long after finishing his books (this one included) my girls keep asking me to read/re-read them. Equally, if not more, appealing to boys. A lovely, nature-focused, engaging story about a snake and a young boy.