Heart of a Shepherd

by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's dad is shipped off to Iraq, along with the rest of his reserve unit, Brother must help his grandparents keep the ranch going. He’s determined to maintain it just as his father left it, in the hope that doing so will ensure his father’s safe return. The hardships Brother faces will not only change the ranch, but also reveal his true calling.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult, Juvenile, War, Family

176 pages, Library Binding

First published January 27, 2009

About the author

Hey there,
I'm the author of several novels for young readers, including the NY Times best seller, A WOLF CALLED WANDER and A WHALE OF THE WILD. There is information about all my books on my website.
I write because I love the power of story to illuminate and uplift our world. I try to write things that are heartfelt and encourage conversation in families and classrooms. If you wanted to ask me a question or invite me to come speak at your school or library, I'd love that. There's a contact me area on my website

When I'm not writing I try to be an advocate for literacy and libraries whenever I can. I like to read (obviously) and hike and dance and go to the beach and play the harp and write in my treehouse.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his father shipped off to Iraq and his older brothers away, 11-year-old Ignatius "Brother" Alderman works with his grandparents to keep their Oregon ranch going, while coming to realize what he really wants to do with his life. Wonderfully moving story of a sensitive kid trying to do a man's job in a world that asks much of a person. The setting, in the Oregon plains surrounded by mountains, is beautifully depicted, with lots of ranch detail and much appreciation, by the characters, for their surroundings. The grandfather's Quaker faith is clearly contrasted with the boy's Catholicism and the author admires both - but shows you why the boy is attracted to his religion. The other men (and older boys) in the family are ranchers and soldiers, but their appreciation for this more sensitive kid is clear, too. I really, really like this book for its setting, its characters, its depiction of a different kind of a world and a way of thinking that is also different, at least to me. It's rare to get such a clear picture of spiritual life in a kids book.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

HEART OF A SHEPHERD is a beautiful book by first-time author Rosanne Parry. It draws the reader right into life on an Oregon ranch and into the life of a spiritual family dedicated to the land, their country, and one another.

Brother is the youngest of five boys raised on the family ranch. Soon, Brother will be gone to a high school boarding school, but for now it's up to him to help his father, grandpa, and grandma with the running of the place. As each day passes, it seems he is given more responsibility. Brother decides that's proof that they think he's growing up and will soon be man enough to handle his share of the work.

When news breaks that his father's reserve unit is about to be shipped off to Iraq, Brother realizes he doesn't have a choice. Ready or not, he will be the only one left to help his grandfather run the ranch.

With his father gone, he pitches in and learns how to handle everything from raising the bum lambs, literally lending a hand/arm with the calving, and making decisions like whether to use traditional branding or acid branding. Constant chores keep him busy, but he still has time to worry about the safety of his father commanding troops in Iraq. He knows he is not alone, since many in the community have fathers, mothers, and sons serving their country, leaving just a few family members to do what needs to be done here at home.

The story is an interesting mix of young and old. The experience of the old is passed to the young when it comes to handling ranch chores, as well as the rules of life in general. There is a strong sense of spirituality among the characters with the incorporation of a variety of faiths - Catholic, Quaker, and Baptist. It is evident that a higher power plays a major role in the lives described in HEART OF A SHEPHERD.

The appeal of this book should reach far beyond its YA audience. I look forward to reading more by Rosanne Parry in the future.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm stubbornly giving this a 4th star, though I'm not sure how many kids will be attracted to or like this quiet tale of a 12 year old boy growing up on a modern day ranch in Oregon. Ignatius (called "Brother" by one and all) is the youngest of 5 motherless boys who live with their father and grandparents on a cattle and sheep ranch. At the beginning of the story, their father is shipping out (along with many of their neighbors) to a tour of duty in Iraq. The oldest 4 boys are variously on their own Army base, at college or at a boarding high school 50 miles away. That leaves "Brother" and his grandparents to run the ranch. The book gives enough of a look at the difficulty of this life without weighing it down. An adult will see the crisis at the end coming a mile away, but children will not. What I liked most about the book is the abiding and strong sense of faith and duty that form the center of the book, and a depiction of death that is neither trivializing or fearful. Brother and his family are unapologetically religious (without being dogmatic) and their faith is central in their lives. A dignified and warm look at conservative westerners. A warning - there is a fairly graphic description of Brother assisting at the birth of a calf that might upset the woozier child.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quiet, sensitive book about a 12-year old boy who takes on some new responsibilities when his father is shipped off to Iraq.

It has a strong sense of family and a VERY strong sense of place.
It also does a great job of talking about spirituality in a very "un-didactic" way.

I think rural kids especially would love seeing themselves in a book like this one.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and lyrical. A refreshing break from school bullies and fantasy, this is a tale of a 12 yr old left to help his aging Grandparents keep the family ranch running while his father is shipped to Iraq and his brothers (he has 4) are away at school. Brother loves the ranch and feels deeply the responsibility thrust upon him, but he knows that it is not his destiny to be a rancher; this knowledge comes to him during a terrible range fire.

Keep a box of tissues available!

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. This book deserves far more attention than it has received.

Upper Elementary or MS

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to see that lots of award committees could see the power and value of this story. I have no idea why the Newbery folks didn't as it seems right up their alley. I know that some ppl would be less than pleased that it's got a Christian theme, but it's not a particularly Christian book... it's a book about ppl who happen to go to church regular. I especially love that Grandpa is Quaker and Grandma is Catholic and they absolutely adore & respect each other.

Highly recommended to everyone interested in how the Iraq war affected ranching communities, and to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. I will look for more by the author.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got lost in a lot of parts and forgot what it was about only a couple of times but when I picked up the book it was really hard to put down even when I wasn't understanding what was going on I had just an urge to keep going and going the day I finished the book is because I picked up the book and actually couldn't put it down till I finished it.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a gem that took me completely by surprise. "Brother" is the youngest of five sons of an Oregon rancher, an Army reservist who is sent to fight in Iraq. His older brothers must all leave the ranch, too; one is a soldier stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, two are in college, and one boards at a private high school fifty miles away. Brother promises his father to help his grandparents maintain the family ranch while his father and older brothers are away. The book teaches important lessons about the relationship between familial and societal responsibility, which sometimes conflict, and the role that religion can play in grounding us during emotionally turbulent times. One of the most powerful scenes in the book occurs when two of Brother's friends receive news about the fate of their parents, who also are stationed in Iraq. I hope that this book finds the appreciative audience it deserves. Best for grades 6-8.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ignatius (everyone calls him "Brother") is the youngest of five boys and the only one left at home when his dad is called to fight in Iraq. He must help his grandfather keep up the ranch - tough work for any kid, but especially for Brother who has never felt called to the ranching life. As Brother gets through the year without his dad, he'll start looking for his own path in life.

This is a quietly powerful novel with a striking sense of place. Parry paints a perfect picture of the harsh beauty of rural Oregon, just as she paints a perfect picture of family members scattered to the winds but still caring deeply about one another. I'd try it on fans of Bridge to Terabithia and When the Whistle Blows.

Read my full review on my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...

[Lana Krumwiede]

A book like this, quiet and deep, is a rare find these days when so many books are fast-lane action all the way. Now I love a good thriller as much as anyone else, but books like "Heart of a Shepherd" are of equal merit.

The sense of place is strong and real. I love the way the main character, even though he is only eleven, thinks about important things and has a strong desire to do right. I believe more kids think like that than we give them credit for. I also like stories that include religion because that is still a big part of life for many of us. Rosanne Parry tells an honest, sweet story while avoiding anything resembling corny.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about a young boy whose brothers and father must leave their ranch in Idaho to go to school and to war. Left with his grandparents and a hired hand, the boy called Brother feels the responsibility of the ranch but doesn't know if he'll be able to handle it all.

Told with snippets throughout the year, it's accessible to younger readers. Strong faith aspect. Life, death, war, peace, and the choices that shape the future are all part of this.

Great boy's read.

[Emily Cottle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good, quick read with a lot of heart. I'd recommend it to kids who love farming/ranching/the outdoors.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good feel-good book!

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Within the first several years after the beginning of the second U.S. war in Iraq, novels for readers of all ages began to emerge that featured themes related to the war. In my view, Rosanne Parry's Heart of a Shepherd is one of the best and most insightful of these books.

Right from the captivating open sequence it is clear that there is a lot of unique power to this book. Brother's description of the chess game that he is playing versus his grandfather comes vividly alive with the thoughtful intensity of the game, enlivened further by Brother's unique mentality about Chess as a sort of miniature war, a battle in the trenches with his chessmen huddled around him like flesh-and-blood soldiers in a foxhole, advising and strategizing how they can best give themselves the opportunity to win the day. For Brother, the war in Iraq will no longer be a distant game, however; his father is being shipped overseas as a commander in the U.S. military, and the deadly struggle in the Middle East will soon become for him a germane everyday fight between life and death, as well as the life or death of the soldiers under his command.

His mother having departed years before to live in Rome as an artist, Brother, the youngest of five boys (the first four of which have all followed their father into careers in the military), finds that it is now his responsibility to take care of the family farm, aided only by his aging grandparents and his sometimes assistant, Ernesto. Brother is right in the middle of the most formative years of his life, trying to learn what it means to live in a family and to own one's responsibilities while now having to put in many hours a day as the primary provider for his family's farm and the animals on it, in addition to putting in five long days a week at school. Brother does what he has to do, though, and nowhere along the road does he lose the deep sense of integrity that lies inside him, a keener sense of integrity than that with which any of his four older brothers have been endowed.

In many Ways, Heart of a Shepherd reminds me of Robert Newton Peck's classic novel A Day No Pigs Would Die. Both stories are infused with a profound sense of life in a corner of the nation that most of us have never experienced, the vibrancy and joy and deep sadness that mark such a lifestyle just as it would any other. It's a way of life lived so often by the type of people who populate this book: warm, strong people like Brother and his father who know that very little is going to come easy living on a ranch with such massive responsibilities and so many creatures that depend on you, but the rewards are like nothing else offered to humanity.

Brother courageously makes his way through sad days, good times, family squabbles and family tragedy, coming of age in the best way he knows how while he waits anxiously for his father to return from Iraq. More than anything else, Brother wants to prove to himself and his family that he is capable of handling the ranch while his father and brothers are away, so that when his father returns he will see that Brother was able to do it, after all. When it is finally time for his father to return, however, everything is much different than Brother ever would have expected. He must learn to adapt to the inevitability of those changes as he realizes that the people taking care of the land may rise and fade from one generation to the next, but the land will always be there, giving rise to a new group of baby animals that will still require care from a gentle human blessed with the heart of a shepherd.

Rosanne Parry's first novel is an excellent, auspicious start to a writing career that I look forward to experiencing. The potential for emotional sensitivity in her writing is great, and comes through well in this thoughtful book about a very definitely contemporary American family, yet told with the old-fashioned grace of so many of the exceptional children's novelists of yesteryear. I would give at least two and a half stars to Heart of a Shepherd.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book. Eleven-year-old Ignatius (called Brother) is the youngest of 5 brothers and the only one at home on their rural Oregon ranch with his grandparents when his father is called to Iraq. The four older brothers are either away at school or in the Army themselves.

The chapters are months, giving the book an almost episodic feel. The book covers just over a year, beginning in July and ending the following August.

What made this book speak to me was the thread of peace, routine, thoughtfulness, and tenderness that one can see in Brother's life on the ranch and in Brother's thoughts. Brother's inner feelings are sensitive, conflicting, and realistic. I also love the role that religion and faith, especially the merging of different faiths, play in this book. In the February chapter, the area is assigned a new priest. I love the description and character of Father Ziegler. My favorite scene, though, is when the "grands" have a moment, as they do every Sunday, in the church before Grandpa goes outside to worship in the traditional Quaker silence and Grandma stays inside for Catholic Mass (p71).

Quotes:
(Grandpa is speaking) "Land shapes a man's heart, too, and his aspirations. A man near the mountains learns to look up, and it calls his mind to God." And then he'd do that Quaker thing where he sits quietly and says nothing, and the rest of us go back to playing chess or poker, and a dozen hands later he would say something like, "God's in the valleys, too, in the coolness of the water and the softness of the ground. That's the tender side of the Almighty."
I love it when he talks like that, because then, when I go wading in the creek, I think of the Holy Spirit squooshing up between my toes.

Jim is a better dancer than all the rest of use put together. For one thing, he can remember both steps of the two-step. Plus, he's brave enough to ask a girl to dance. I'm never going to do that. Not in a million years.

(I cut a some out of this one)
A dead person’s body is a serious transportation problem. At least, it is out here. No ambulance; not even a car for miles.
“All right, God, “I say, and I am a little mad because He was here an hour ago and now, just when levitation would be really helpful, He’s nowhere in sight.
“Look, I can’t leave him,” I say. ”That’s it. I’m staying until you find a way to get us both out of here, and if I starve to death, it’s your fault.”
That’s when the miracle happens.
“Well, all right then, God. Thanks!” I say, too amazed to put more flower on that prayer.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we celebrate Memorial Day, I'd like to take a moment to think about the families who have sent fathers, sons and brothers to fight in war. The Heart of a Shepherd, by Rosanne Parry, tells the story of an twelve-year old boy whose father is sent to fight in Iraq with the rest of his reserve unit. I was very moved by this story, especially because it shared with me a perspective that is so far away from my experiences here in Oakland, and yet such an important part of our American experiences in the early 21st century.

Twelve-year old "Brother" is the youngest of 5 boys growing up on a ranch in Eastern Oregon. His older brothers are now off at boarding school, college or the army, and he's now alone helping his dad and grandparents manage their cattle ranch. Brother feels that he's never been the rancher that his older brothers are - it's difficult trying to fill their shoes when they're away. But his dad and grandpa help him learn how to do things.

Then, Brother's dad is called up to fight with his reserve unit in Iraq. With all of his brothers away, Brother promises his dad that he will help keep the ranch running smoothly. His dad believes in him, and Brother has to keep faith that his father will return safely. Here is one of my favorite quotes from his dad:

“You don’t have to be brave,” he says, real quiet. “Neither of us does. A man’s life is not so much about courage. You just have to keep going. You have to do what you’ve promised, brave or not.” (page 24)

In many ways, The Heart of a Shepherd reminds me of A River Runs Through It for tweens. The setting is inextricably part of the story - the land, the weather, the power it holds for people living on a ranch. Brother struggles with his relationship with his older brothers, trying to prove himself a man. And Brother tries to come to terms with his faith, both his faith as a Catholic and his grandfather's faith as a Quaker.

Kids who like real stories about real people will like this book. I think it will appeal to girls and boys, most likely in 5th or 6th grade. The audiobooks has gotten great reviews - it would make a great story for a car trip this summer.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the picture of this boy's life in rural Oregon, and the hardships he faces as his dad goes off to Iraq with the Reserves. His older brothers are gone, too; one's in the service and 2 are at boarding high school--the local school is only two rooms, K-8. Brother (his real name is Ignatius) has to take up the chores and responsibilities of running the family ranch with his grandparents. His mom left for Rome years ago--she's an artist.

Told in episodes, titled as months, nearly one per month (e.g. "July The Chess Men", "August Cow Camp")we see how this hard-working, close-knit family tries to make this situation work, keep their promises honorably. The brothers fight (Brother has to stitch Pete's head after clobbering him with a glass coffee pot when the olders make him feel he's not doing a good job.)but ultimately they pull together. Attending a 2 room school, the sense of community (both of his best friend's parents are in his dad's unit), birthing a calf--blend of old-fashioned lifestyle, compared to our metro NY area, and modern--emails, cell phones, etc. Patriotism without jingoism.

Probably the most unusual aspect of this book is the large part that faith plays in it--his Grandmother (who can repair anything) washes linens and sets up for each Mass at her church, while her husband is a member of the Society of Friends (ie a Quaker) and writes letters to other Friends and to government officials during Mass, sitting outside at the picnic table. Brother is an altar server; there's some heavy foreshadowing about the final plot resolution in this area. The description of Brother and his Grand's experience during a fire, as they try to save Ernesto (the shepherd who told him he has the heart of a shepherd)and the sheep out in the hills, is unforgettable. In this book, faith is important, but it almost doesn't matter which one--his dad is a Baptist, he mentions.

[Maricor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry (2009)
Contemporary Fiction, 176 pages
Taking care of an entire farm is tough work, but for sixth grader Brother, the pressure is on as the only remaining son to help his grandparents run their Oregon ranch while his father is deployed in Iraq and his brothers are away. Tender-hearted Brother shares his thoughts on being a man and shows that he knows more about ranching than his self-confidence lets him admit. Dealing with the desperate need to grow up to be like his father, worrying about war and its human sacrifice, and figuring out what to do with his life, Brother struggles with many realistic situations, especially in the lives of many children of deployed service men and women. Luckily, he has strong grandparents that guide him in his father’s absence, a new priest who understands more than the rest, and modern technology to stay in touch with his faraway family members. Parry does an excellent job painting the backdrop of Brother’s ranching lifestyle, including the amount of manual labor involved in running a ranch and the dangers that nature presents. Described as a shepherd, Brother has a thoughtful and caring demeanor that ultimately leads him to understanding his calling in life. While Brother is sensitive and aware of others’ feelings, he still has the strength to hold his own among his four older brothers and inspire all children to find who they are meant to be. Although it has stereotypical boy themes, such as ranching, adventure, and manhood, Heart of a Shepherd delves deeper into a richer understanding of these threads in the book’s tapestry. I would definitely booktalk this contemporary “American” tale to fifth through eighth graders for its exploration of faith, adulthood, service, and lifestyle.

[CuriousLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare that I read a book and think, "This book could win the Newbery." But this was definitely one of those books.

When the publisher's box came, I set this one aside to read. It called to me in some way. But I kept putting off reading it. It is not my thing at all - ranchers, military families? Not my type of reading. But still I didn't take it off my pile. Once I finally picked it up, I couldn't believe how gripping the story and the character of Brother was.

Brother is the youngest of 5 boys in a ranching family. He has all the skills, but he's too sensitive to the deaths of the animals to really make it as a rancher long term. This is fine until his 11th and 12th year when his father gets shipped to Iraq with many of the other parents in the area and all of his older brothers are away at school. Brother must keep the ranch running with his grandparents, and wants to do it right so everything will be perfect when his father finally comes home. But life is rarely that simple...

I was gripped by this book from the beginning, and I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen to everyone - the parent-soldiers overseas, the lambs on the ranch, Brother himself. This is a hard life, made harder by circumstances, and you view it all through the lens of an 11/12-yr-old boy.

At first I was bothered by the the explicit Christianity and prayers in the story. But it soon didn't matter, as it is well integrated into the story, and important to the characters. However, I think this aspect may well keep this book from winning any of the big prizes, and I think that's a darn shame.

Highly recommended for grades 4-8. Easily the best children's book I've read in a while.

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Ignatius is the youngest of five sons, which is why everyone just calls him Brother. Growing up on a ranch in slightly populated Malhuer County, Oregon, Brother feels he has always been overshadowed by his older more capable brothers, who have always been around to do the hard work of ranching along with his dad and grandfather. But now his dad is leaving, his military reserve unit called to serve 14 months in Iraq, and the older sons are either away at boarding school, college or in the military as well. Brother will have to work with his grandparents to make the ranch run smoothly while his dad is gone.

Brother works hard at the ranch, but he's not sure that ranching will be his life's calling. He has always had a tender heart for animals that die, and working to keep things together will test him in ways he can't imagine. Yet he's determined to show everyone in the family that he can be counted on to hold things together while they are gone.

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry reveals the heart of today's ranching communities and the values that keep those communities together: the importance of family, the church, love of and service to our country, and neighbors pulling together during times of crisis. Along the way Brother finds out what's most important to him, and how to find his own path while honoring his family members' commitments.

Even for those unconnected to the land, the story will resonate with it's portrait of a boy working to go where his heart tells him. The story has appeal for both middle-grade readers in fourth grade and up, as well as adults.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slim but moving story about a rural family of ranchers and soldiers who are spiritually inclined - doesn't exactly sound exciting, does it? But for readers who like stories with great characters and vivid settings, this is a treat. It's also not a dull, actionless story. Sure, a big focus of the book is on Brother's thoughts and feelings, as he stays home on the Eastern Oregon ranch with his grandparents, while his dad is in Iraq and his brothers are off at school. But the details about rural life and military families will make this appealing to kids interested in either of those topics, and it's refreshing to see a story where the characters are actively religious in a non-didactic way.

You respect the way spirituality pervades their lives without the story becoming preachy. While I think that people who are Christian might find this aspect of the story more appealing than other groups, I would still recommend it to a young reader who isn’t Christian, or isn't necessarily religious. A variety of faiths are represented, and if anything the message of the story is to support your community and your family through thick and thin. The ending is hopeful but not too neatly resolved.

One small quibble with the book - for a character-driven story, I just didn't buy the mom's story. Every time she was mentioned, and every time I thought of her role in Brother's life, I was drawn out of the story because it just didn't ring true, and felt like an awfully convenient way to get her out of the picture without killing her off.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend/author, and so the bar was set high when I received it in the mail. I was not disappointed. I have read a few books about kids whose parents are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (trying to seize the moment of TIMELINESS, I suppose). However, the twists in this plot make it a stand-out favorite. Set on a rural working ranch, Brother is the youngest of five boys striving to find his niche in the world. At just twelve years of age, he is thrust into a very mature role: help keep the family ranch running with his grandparents while his brothers and father are away at school or deployement. Told in a year's span of time, the book revealed interesting sidenotes about a life I knew little about. However, it was Brother's sensitive and spirtual side that made me love the book. "Your mother wasn't much of a gal for coloring inside the lines either, as I recall. I don't claim to know all of your mom's business, but I'm dead sure she'd tell you not to worry about the lines. 'Make your own lines, son.' That's what she would say." (p. 116) The poignant ending was uplifting and felt just right-a hard order for a book that took on a lot. I can't wait to hear what my student readers think about this heartfelt story. "You don't have to be brave," he says, real quiet. "Neither of us does. A man's life is not so much about courage. You just have to keep going. You have to do what you've promised, brave or not."

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brother is the youngest of five boys. He lives on the family ranch with his father and grandparents. His mother his an artist who lives in Rome and has no real contact with the family. Brother's dad is in the reserves and his unit has been called up to Iraq for a 14 month deployment. All his brothers are either away in the military or at school so it is just him and his grandparents left at the ranch to take care of everything.

This is a really good book for kids about a boy dealing with his father being deployed in Iraq. He has to deal with his dad being gone and with trying to be the grown up since all his older brothers are also away from home. It is just Brother and his grandparents taking care of the family ranch. This is a story of a boy growing, becoming a man and realizing what he wants to do with his life. It is also the story of his family letting him grow up and become the man he is meant to become. So often families in these stories don't want the kids to grow up or don't want to acknowledge the growth that has already taken place. That doesn't happen in this book. This is a very mature book but it is handled in such a way that kids can relate to Brother's character and what is happening to him. Excellent book that I would recommend to boys and girls alike.

This is a 2011-12 Missouri Mark Twain Award Nominee.

[Erin Forson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of a Shepherd
by Rosanne Perry
When I was in college, guys in my class were called up to go fight in Desert Storm. Right in the middle of the semester these guys had to quit going to school and go to war. I was really freaked out by that because they were my classmates and some of them my friends. Have you ever known someone who had to go to Iraq? If so, you may relate to this book even better than me. Brother, the son of a long line of soldiers, is left to run the family farm in Oregon with only his grandparent's guidance when his dad is called up to go to Iraq, and his brothers go off to military school. The burden is almost too much for 6th grade Brother to bear, and he doesn't quite understand his father's commitment to the troops over his own family. But as time passes, and things grow more difficult, Brother begins to understand the importance of community, and that he must find his own path in life—a path that may not be the same as the men who came before him. I loved this book. I learned about how hard ranching and farming is, and how hard it is to have someone you love go away to war. If you want a short book that will keep your attention and keep you rooting for the main character, this is it.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We were blown away by Heart of a Shepherd! It is so beautiful and heart wrenching!" This was part of an email I got from a mother who attends our Family Book Club with her daughter. Indeed, it's one of those books that will get you emotional.

Right off the bat, I was sucked into this unfamiliar world of ranching and military-family life I normally wouldn't have read. Brother was such a noble character, seemingly too good at times but actually very realistic considering everything he's dealing with. This is another novel where grandparents have played a major part in a child's life and I'm grateful for books like these.

It's a coming of age novel that's unlike anything I've ever read. And I knew I wanted to discuss this with other readers so that's why I picked it for our Family Book Club. It was a real treat for everyone- including me- to have Rosanne Parry join us and give us her insight about her book.

She also shared some of the writing and publishing process. I loved her quote of "looking for trouble" when she writes her books. She even brought her manuscript for the new novel she's working on. Oh, she also brought some ranching related props and I got lassoed by her!

[Kay Hommedieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sensitively written and insightful book about a young boy who spends a whole year when he turns twelve helping his grandparents and a hired hand keep their ranch of chickens, sheep, cattle and horses going while his dad's reserve unit is called to serve in Iraq, all while he is still in the sixth grade.

Throughout the year while his dad is gone and his four older brothers are either in the service or in college or boarding school, our leading character, "Brother" also has to decide if ranching is the livelihood he will choose. During this period we become aware of Brother's spiritual life and the prayer life of his father and grandparents. Even though Grandpa is a Quaker and the rest of Brother's household is Catholic, Grandpa is comfortable with his worship choice even though it means that he would sit outside of the church during mass and pray by himself or write in his notebook.

Not many fiction books written for children deal with their spiritual life and this is for those readers who would appreciate this aspect of the title. I also listened to the audio cd and found it very realistic and enjoyable.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

In present-day rural Oregon, 11-year-old Ignatius “Brother” Alderman is forced to face the world when his divorced father is deployed to Iraq. Alone with only his grandparents and a hired hand, Brother must take charge of the ranch, keeping the promise he made to his father: the ranch will be the same way he left it when he returns. But as the months go on, Brother learns that he was not meant to be a rancher, and he wonders if his father will ever come home. With threats and disappointment surrounding him, Brother must step up and learn to be a man.
In all reality, when I first saw this book it didn’t appeal to me very much, with the title seemingly uninteresting and the cover just a snapshot of the main character. But, as soon as I picked up this book I could not put it down. This story is full of twists, turns, and may, in every aspect, be a true story. In her first novel, Rosanne Parry truly gave it her all. This heartwarming story gives us life lessons and is meant for everyone, whether they love to read or not.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ignatius, called Brother since he's the youngest of 5 brothers, wonders what his place will be in the world. All the boys in his family go into the military out of college and then presumably into ranching. In college they major in subjects which will be useful in the Army. Brother's mother lives in Rome and is rarely in contact, his father is in Iraq with his reserve unit, his oldest brother is stationed far away, and the others are away at school. Right now Brother is in 6th grade in a 2-room schoolhouse and he's working hard with his grandparents to keep the family ranch going.

Between coping with difficult times and a natural disaster, and through a variety of interactions with his family, his church, and his neighbors, Brother makes some important decisions and comes to peace with his choices.

This book is full of adventures both great and small and there are lots of problems to be solved, but the narrative stays gentle and nurturing throughout. The characters are well-drawn and interesting.

4th grade and up, boys and some girls

[Beth Nieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written account of a 12-year old boy, nicknamed "Brother," living in Oregon and learning to be a rancher; when Dad and his National Guard unit are called up to go to Iraq, the boy and his grandparents take over running the homestead. I loved the scenes that took place at the school and the church. The author has a talent for getting readers into the mind and heart of this young man. The story moves along well, the characters are fleshed out and believable, and the ending is satisfying. Along with the main character, readers experience the uncertainties of ranch life, the strong, intergenerational bonds of family, and the sense of community that exists among the ranchers. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending is moving as the Brother reveals himself to be a young man of great character. This is a story that warms the heart, might bring a tear, and is so thoroughly enjoyable it's hard to put down! A great book.