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Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights
Carley recalls the extraordinary summer when, as a troubled fourteen-year-old, he first came to northern Minnesota to stay with his blacksmith Uncle David and gained not only new skills but also a new sense of himself.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
100 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
5 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Gary Paulsen
408 books3,979 followersGary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 30, 2017
Several Gary Paulsen novels, including Dancing Carl and The Winter Room, feel similar to Popcorn Days & Buttermilk Nights. They're short books, usually around a hundred pages. There's a lot going on beneath the surface, wisdom to be inferred that's never stated outright. I tend to finish these books with the feeling that something more was needed to make them great literature, which is frustrating because they come so close to attaining that level. Like many of Gary Paulsen's works, Popcorn Days & Buttermilk Nights takes place in Minnesota, but unlike most of them, it's autumn rather than winter. Fourteen-year-old Carley is a city boy sent to live with relatives in rural Norsten, Minnesota after getting in one too many scrapes with the law. Carley doesn't know what drives him to do bad things, but sometimes the rage grows inside until he can't control it. The police are usually called when that happens, and after the latest encounter, Carley is on the verge of real trouble. Maybe staying with his uncle, aunt, and little cousins in Norsten can turn things around for him. If this doesn't work, there's not much else to try.
Carley gets along well at first with his big Uncle David, who is a blacksmith, and his brood of kids. Playing with the children is fun, and even sharing their chores isn't bad. But Carley's scary temper still lurks, and when he vents his rage one day on Tinker, a nine-year-old boy cousin, something has to be done. David takes Carley to work with him, where the teen watches his uncle hammer out red-hot metal on an anvil. Carley works every day with David, testing his own physical and mental limits. For the first time, Carley knows what it is to put your all into a task and go home exhausted at the end of the day, but with a sweetness to the fatigue that's a byproduct of a job well done. It's a therapeutic outlet for his anger issues.
Every farmer in town depends on the blacksmith come fall. If a farmer's harvesting tools or machines break down, their livelihood is at risk, and only the blacksmith can fix the problem. For David and now Carley, fall is a season of feverishly laboring at the anvil from before sunup to after nightfall, and the work never abates. Coming through for the people who trust them is a huge responsibility, and it gives Carley a glimpse of what he could be doing with his life. But the greatest lesson arrives when David reveals the extent of the miracles he can perform with just a set of tools and the determination to provide for his loved ones the best things a man without money could possibly give. The lesson will stay with Carley for a lifetime, learned during that magical autumn in Norsten.
Gary Paulsen has a gift for highlighting the beauty of any blue-collar trade, and his insights into blacksmithing are valuable. Carley doesn't understand his own antisocial impulses, why he set fires back home in Minneapolis or beat up Tinker, a boy five years younger than himself, for laughing at him. But the way David reshapes iron on his anvil is symbolism that Carley can't ignore. Reforming himself is hard, taxing work, but worth the investment. The realization that no one but Carley is responsible for reforming his own metal is key to his turnaround. "There was a new feeling in me—not just a change but a whole new thing. I thought differently. I didn't think everybody was against me anymore—I didn't feel that the whole world had been designed just to dump garbage on my head, which I had come to believe for a time in the city." Framing yourself as a victim feels good in a dark way, but you'll never reform your metal as long as you're preoccupied blaming someone else for your problems. Forget the excuses and start hammering the iron on your anvil while it's hot, and you'll find a way to make your life what you wish it could be.
Popcorn Days & Buttermilk Nights could have been another Tiltawhirl John or The Foxman, two books that rank among my early favorites by the author. The same feeling is there, but the concepts and connections aren't profound enough to make this another Gary Paulsen classic. It's a nice autumn read, though, and I'd rate it two and a half stars. David is a strong, thoughtful character in the same vein as the Foxman, and I love Tinker. I wish he'd been in the story more. If you're partial to Gary Paulsen's quieter offerings, this might be the book for you. You'll think back on those popcorn days and buttermilk nights of Minnesota fall a time or two after reading it.
Carley gets along well at first with his big Uncle David, who is a blacksmith, and his brood of kids. Playing with the children is fun, and even sharing their chores isn't bad. But Carley's scary temper still lurks, and when he vents his rage one day on Tinker, a nine-year-old boy cousin, something has to be done. David takes Carley to work with him, where the teen watches his uncle hammer out red-hot metal on an anvil. Carley works every day with David, testing his own physical and mental limits. For the first time, Carley knows what it is to put your all into a task and go home exhausted at the end of the day, but with a sweetness to the fatigue that's a byproduct of a job well done. It's a therapeutic outlet for his anger issues.
Every farmer in town depends on the blacksmith come fall. If a farmer's harvesting tools or machines break down, their livelihood is at risk, and only the blacksmith can fix the problem. For David and now Carley, fall is a season of feverishly laboring at the anvil from before sunup to after nightfall, and the work never abates. Coming through for the people who trust them is a huge responsibility, and it gives Carley a glimpse of what he could be doing with his life. But the greatest lesson arrives when David reveals the extent of the miracles he can perform with just a set of tools and the determination to provide for his loved ones the best things a man without money could possibly give. The lesson will stay with Carley for a lifetime, learned during that magical autumn in Norsten.
Gary Paulsen has a gift for highlighting the beauty of any blue-collar trade, and his insights into blacksmithing are valuable. Carley doesn't understand his own antisocial impulses, why he set fires back home in Minneapolis or beat up Tinker, a boy five years younger than himself, for laughing at him. But the way David reshapes iron on his anvil is symbolism that Carley can't ignore. Reforming himself is hard, taxing work, but worth the investment. The realization that no one but Carley is responsible for reforming his own metal is key to his turnaround. "There was a new feeling in me—not just a change but a whole new thing. I thought differently. I didn't think everybody was against me anymore—I didn't feel that the whole world had been designed just to dump garbage on my head, which I had come to believe for a time in the city." Framing yourself as a victim feels good in a dark way, but you'll never reform your metal as long as you're preoccupied blaming someone else for your problems. Forget the excuses and start hammering the iron on your anvil while it's hot, and you'll find a way to make your life what you wish it could be.
Popcorn Days & Buttermilk Nights could have been another Tiltawhirl John or The Foxman, two books that rank among my early favorites by the author. The same feeling is there, but the concepts and connections aren't profound enough to make this another Gary Paulsen classic. It's a nice autumn read, though, and I'd rate it two and a half stars. David is a strong, thoughtful character in the same vein as the Foxman, and I love Tinker. I wish he'd been in the story more. If you're partial to Gary Paulsen's quieter offerings, this might be the book for you. You'll think back on those popcorn days and buttermilk nights of Minnesota fall a time or two after reading it.
February 22, 2011
This was my son's summer reading book in 2010. He was griping about reading it and I decided to read it as well, as a show of solidarity and also to hopefully find some way to encourage him to get through the slow parts.
I enjoyed some aspects of this book - some of the stories about country life, the way that Carly's environment shaped his thoughts and actions, the characters. Much of that was well done. I could also see how my upcoming 6th grader was having a hard time feeling at all excited about continuing to read this book, however. In a world of thrilling YA page turners, with a few exceptions, this felt like a slow moving vignette.
I also think that this book really jumped the shark toward the end. Ultimately the promise of getting to read about this shark-jumping was what got my son interested in actually finishing this summer reading book. We enjoyed discussing this as a family!
Thereafter followed several weeks of complaints as he continued working with this book once school was in session. He quickly tired of his teacher's great adoration for this book and its characters, but at least he'd finished reading it and was able to complete the assignments.
I enjoyed some aspects of this book - some of the stories about country life, the way that Carly's environment shaped his thoughts and actions, the characters. Much of that was well done. I could also see how my upcoming 6th grader was having a hard time feeling at all excited about continuing to read this book, however. In a world of thrilling YA page turners, with a few exceptions, this felt like a slow moving vignette.
I also think that this book really jumped the shark toward the end. Ultimately the promise of getting to read about this shark-jumping was what got my son interested in actually finishing this summer reading book. We enjoyed discussing this as a family!
Thereafter followed several weeks of complaints as he continued working with this book once school was in session. He quickly tired of his teacher's great adoration for this book and its characters, but at least he'd finished reading it and was able to complete the assignments.
April 2, 2020
Exactly as you'd expect from this amazing author, an outstanding, excellent little book about Carley's life as a troubled 16-year-old, sent to his uncle's farm. Wonderful, and a great choice for reluctant readers.
October 25, 2017
A story full of life.
This isn't just historical fiction; this is about the protagonist and the positive change that occurs inside of him. Though set in the past, Carley was behaving like some youth of today - hanging out on street corners, rudely commenting on people, and engaging in destructive behavior. He was in repeated trouble with police in his big city hometown.
We join him as he gets off the train, in the middle of almost nowhere at all. The poverty and joy he sees in the family life of his uncle jolt him like nothing he has experienced before. Hard work, very hard work in the forge is part of what changes him on the inside.
This isn't just historical fiction; this is about the protagonist and the positive change that occurs inside of him. Though set in the past, Carley was behaving like some youth of today - hanging out on street corners, rudely commenting on people, and engaging in destructive behavior. He was in repeated trouble with police in his big city hometown.
We join him as he gets off the train, in the middle of almost nowhere at all. The poverty and joy he sees in the family life of his uncle jolt him like nothing he has experienced before. Hard work, very hard work in the forge is part of what changes him on the inside.
May 28, 2018
This was a delightful little book. I had a bit of a problem suspending my disbelief that a troubled 14 year old from the city would move to the country with such an easy transition. Even his “bad” incident of acting out is relatively mild in comparison to things he’s done in the city. But, nature and hard work can be transformative. The descriptions are truly lovely, the characters vivid, and I’ll be reading more by this author.
January 12, 2024
Loved this book.
April 21, 2025
Bedtime read aloud with Hart. Loved that it was set in Minnesota and had a message about redemption, perseverance and creativity.
September 8, 2019
There was just something about this story.
Maybe because I’m a teacher and these are the kind of kids I’m always rooting for, kids that need a change of direction, kids like Carley. Maybe because I love reading about farm life and rural communities full of hardworking people. Maybe it was just Paulsen’s smooth, gentle writing. I’m not sure, but something about this story touched me. I loved it through and through.
Maybe because I’m a teacher and these are the kind of kids I’m always rooting for, kids that need a change of direction, kids like Carley. Maybe because I love reading about farm life and rural communities full of hardworking people. Maybe it was just Paulsen’s smooth, gentle writing. I’m not sure, but something about this story touched me. I loved it through and through.
September 30, 2016
This was a pleasant look into years past, with a touching and easy to read (for young readers) story of a boy taken completely away from his home, learning many life lessons through love, hard work, and the stories told by his uncle.
December 5, 2014
This book was very entertaining and always kept me in to the book. It was very well written and I could see everything the author was writing. Also, it was neat to be able to learn about the little things in life that you don't really look for. In the book you learn a lot of good life lessons. For instance, when they didn't have any money David used other ways to make sure his family was happy. It shows that money isn't everything and as long as you have family in your life you can be happy.
It was written very interestingly because it started off really slow and took a long time for it to get exciting. Once some of the action happens you can't put the book down because you are on edge the whole time. You can feel the change inside of him and how he see's the world a little differently. Also, you can see why the family has changed him and why they are so close. Its kind of interesting how he goes from a bad boy to a kid who loves to work hard, and isn't afraid to get dirty.
This book shows how a person can change just from a little hard labor. Its a very good book at showing how work and having the right people around you can make you a better person. Since it is based in the country there is plenty to learn about the aspects of that lifestyle. You get to see how hard they have to work just to keep food on the table. Instead of feeling bad for themselves they have fun doing what they do. You also learn a lot about how hard working blacksmiths/mechanics are. They do way more work then I ever thought they would do during this time period.
It was written very interestingly because it started off really slow and took a long time for it to get exciting. Once some of the action happens you can't put the book down because you are on edge the whole time. You can feel the change inside of him and how he see's the world a little differently. Also, you can see why the family has changed him and why they are so close. Its kind of interesting how he goes from a bad boy to a kid who loves to work hard, and isn't afraid to get dirty.
This book shows how a person can change just from a little hard labor. Its a very good book at showing how work and having the right people around you can make you a better person. Since it is based in the country there is plenty to learn about the aspects of that lifestyle. You get to see how hard they have to work just to keep food on the table. Instead of feeling bad for themselves they have fun doing what they do. You also learn a lot about how hard working blacksmiths/mechanics are. They do way more work then I ever thought they would do during this time period.
June 24, 2016
I liked this kids chapter book quite a bit. The themes resonated with me. While I'd like to think a modern city kid could get something out of the book, I'm afraid it just wouldn't appeal to today's youth. It deals with themes of poverty, hard work, caring for one's neighbor, dependence on one another, and creating something from nothing. The inherent satisfaction in these things is hard for most folks to understand.
I initially chose this title because I was looking for a short audio book for my commute to work. It had Popcorn in the title, was read by a guy named Luke, was only 3 discs, and I'd heard good things about the author. I ended up enjoying it. The narrator does a particularly good job with the rural Minnesota inflected Norwegian accents.
I initially chose this title because I was looking for a short audio book for my commute to work. It had Popcorn in the title, was read by a guy named Luke, was only 3 discs, and I'd heard good things about the author. I ended up enjoying it. The narrator does a particularly good job with the rural Minnesota inflected Norwegian accents.
November 14, 2014
I try choosing short Audio Books usually 6 CD's at the most this one was 3. This book was good because of the narrator's Norwegian Accent. The story was cool too, but my favorite was how the author vividly described everything I could actually imagine working as a blacksmith, making horseshoes and fixing tools.
August 21, 2008
This is my summer reading book and I think that it is horrible. Don't read it.
November 23, 2009
I did actually enjoy this book. It is filled with how different cities and rich people are, to countrey poor people are. I could tell it was deffinetly written for kids, but I enjoyed it anyway.
December 16, 2011
Loved this one, but then, I am a bit biased, having Norwegian ancestry. A carefully nuanced story, simple but heartening.
August 4, 2012
This was a great YA read aloud or alone. Sweet story takes place in 40-50's in the country. A young delinquent is sent to the counry to reform, but finds a whole new life. Coming of age.
September 11, 2012
An interesting, short novel. Great for tween and adolescents, especially boys. Really like Paulsen's writing style, his imagery, and his injection of emotion without being overbearing.
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June 6, 2020Love it.♥️
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November 18, 2016I felt as though I was helping to build the circus. That is how the book impacted me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews