Moonshiner's Son

by Carolyn Reeder

Twelve-year-old Tom Higgins is learning the craft of making whiskey. Even though Prohibition forbids the production and sale of alcoholic beverages, Tom is determined to be a good apprentice. He is, after all, a moonshiner's son. His father has raised moonshining to an art, and Tom wants nothing more than to please this rough, distant man.
Then a preacher comes to the wilds of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains to rid Bad Camp Hollow of the "evils of liquor." This is when Tom and his father begin their campaign to match wits with the preacher and try to outsmart the law officers he calls in. Tom's father is eloquent in defense of a way of life long and respectfully lived by the Higgins family. But the preacher and his pretty daughter make a powerful case against it. And when drink causes a tragedy in the community, Tom Higgins is torn....

Genres: Historical Fiction, School, Middle Grade, Read For School, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

About the author

Carolyn Reeder was an American writer best known for children's historical novels. She also wrote three non-fiction books about Shenandoah National Park for adults together with her husband. She won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

Reviews

[Cat *living for the One who breaths life into me* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it. The book was poorly written with all the 'ain'ts', and 'stinkin', and stupid talk. Like, by the time that I was finished with it I starte thinkin' in my heed likk em. See how annoying that can get?!!! And the plot form was SLOW and dull. Tom was flat as card board. What a Gary Stu?! I will tell you, school makes me read the dumbest books ever.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it at all. Even from the very first chapter I was irritated by the characters. The writing was boring, dull, slow, "cheap" and weak. There wasn't a proper climax and I didn't sympathise with any characters. Tom was an idiot, Amy was pathetic, Pa was stupid, the Preacher was infuriating, and Mrs. Taylor was the only person I actually found myself liking a bit more than the others.
I feel quite bad getting so worked up about this, but I honestly I thought this book was rubbish.

[Aubrie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow a times, but the ending was really well done.

[AnnaScott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I had originally expected. Set during the beginning of the Prohibition in the mountains, this story tells of a rural mountain community who makes their living primarily off of moonshine. And then a preacher moves to town with his wife and daughter and starts a mission. His favorite topic, though, is the evils of liquor, which does not go over well.

I loved Amy, June, and Tom. Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Brown were lovely as well. Preacher Taylor seemed ridiculous to me for the large majority of the book, but he ended up ok in the end.

My one complaint is that I wanted to see Tom as a grown up. I think that would have been cool to see him as the first generation of his family who didn't make moonshine for a living, and I also would have liked to see him marry Amy - especially since both Mrs. Brown and his pa told him not to marry a 'flatlander.'

While this book is 100% appropriate, there are some topics covered with the mountain community and the moonshine that need an older audience. Domestic abuse, drunkenness, and children out of wedlock are all mentioned - without details, but still.

Overall a really sweet story, slightly reminiscent of Christy.

[Leah Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his quick-tempered father. Moonshining is their way of life. That way of life starts to turn upside-down when a new preacher comes to town, bringing with him a hate of moonshining and a pretty but fiery daughter. Will they change the way Tom sees his life?

Don't let the title of this book turned you off. My parents gave it to me for Christmas several years ago and I enjoyed it. It is a clean and unique story.

[Ellie Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom is always striving to please his hard to please father, June. Will this get in the way of what Tom really actually wants? Definitely recommend Moonshiner’s Son, must read for middle school ages and up!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young adult novel set in the Appalachian Mountains.

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story. I enjoyed it.

[Dawn Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character development was thin.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the nuance view it gave, not just alcohol=bad.

[Linette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book Moonshiner's Son. It is historical fiction by Carolyn Reeder, who is the author of this book. It is about Tom Higgins, who is twelve years old, and his dad, who was a moonshiner. Moonshiners took the risk of making whiskey because it is illegal, but Tom was determined to make whiskey to make his dad proud. Then a preacher came to the west of Virginia to preach about the “evil of liquor." The preacher wanted all the Moonshiners to stop making whiskey and do something that is useful for the world. Tom’s Pa tasted the whiskey that they just made and found out that the whiskey had been found and someone had put salt in it to ruin it. Soon a federal agent came knocking at their door and asked to check if they were making whiskey. Tom hoped that they would not find it, but they did. So Tom's Pa was taken to court and asked to stop making corn whiskey. Soon Pa was released and made apple brandy instead, which was stronger than the corn whiskey. So they made a hidden still for them to make the apple brandy, which was almost found. The preacher wanted Tom’s Pa to change and soon Tom and his Pa stopped making whiskey. Tom’s Pa and his friend started a church for the preacher.
I liked the book because it was shorter, and the author did a good job making things quick but long enough to be explainable. I did not like how it ended because I wanted to know what happened next, and it just cut off. That was disappointing. I think people should read this book because it is fun, and I think this book is good for 5th to 6th grade because it's easy to read but not too easy.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

For our homeschool: This book an an interesting perspective on prohibition, moonshiner's, small towns and preachers. We really enjoyed the book.. while I did suspect what was going to happen we looked forward to reading it each day.

[Harold Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little old yarn about the business of moonshine.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all have choices, and there is one that is best. My heart aches for the children who yearn for affirmation from their fathers and never get it.

[Terresa Uzzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows the struggles of those who are honest and just want to make a living during Prohibition times.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I liked Shades of Gray by the same author more so I was a little disappointed when this book wasn't as good, but it was fine.

[Kelli Terzian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Overall I enjoyed the story.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has stuck with me. It's an interesting look at prohibition and religion and learning to stand up for your beliefs. Though I read it a month or so ago, I sometimes think of the characters. It's a good book.

[Bryan Spahr]

read for school in 8th grade