I’m trying to find a children’s or young adult book from the late 1960s or early 1970s, possibly published by Pan Piccolo or Picador. It’s set in modern 1960s/1970s America and follows a white adolescent boy (maybe 12–16 years old) whose father may have died, leaving him with a stepmother he dislikes (described as “sluttish,” possibly cruel or neglectful). They have a conflict, possibly over a T-bone dinner she tries to use to make amends. The boy runs away from home with his old dog, traveling across the United States in a donkey cart to reach relatives. Along the way, he evades the law and thieves and has a few adventures before safely arriving at his relatives’ home.
The cover art is a key clue: it features a boy, a donkey, and a donkey cart, likely in a realistic or illustrative style (I’m not sure which). The book is likely a chapter book for ages 8–14, not a short picture book, given the complex plot. It may have been published by Pan Piccolo (a UK paperback imprint) or another publisher like Puffin or Scholastic, and it’s set in a modern (not historical) American context.
Similar books I’ve considered but ruled out: - *My Side of the Mountain* (1959, Jean Craighead George): A white boy runs away, but no stepmother, donkey cart, or cross-country trip. - *The Miller, The Boy and the Donkey* (1969, Brian Wildsmith): Has a boy and donkey, but it’s a short fable, not a modern U.S. adventure. - *Where the Red Fern Grows* (1961, Wilson Rawls): White boy and dogs, but no stepmother or donkey cart.
Any ideas on the title or author? Specific details like character names, adventure scenes, or the T-bone dinner argument are hazy, but the cover with the boy, donkey, and cart stands out. Thanks for any help!
Hi all,
I’m trying to find a children’s or young adult book from the late 1960s or early 1970s, possibly published by Pan Piccolo or Picador. It’s set in modern 1960s/1970s America and follows a white adolescent boy (maybe 12–16 years old) whose father may have died, leaving him with a stepmother he dislikes (described as “sluttish,” possibly cruel or neglectful). They have a conflict, possibly over a T-bone dinner she tries to use to make amends. The boy runs away from home with his old dog, traveling across the United States in a donkey cart to reach relatives. Along the way, he evades the law and thieves and has a few adventures before safely arriving at his relatives’ home.
The cover art is a key clue: it features a boy, a donkey, and a donkey cart, likely in a realistic or illustrative style (I’m not sure which). The book is likely a chapter book for ages 8–14, not a short picture book, given the complex plot. It may have been published by Pan Piccolo (a UK paperback imprint) or another publisher like Puffin or Scholastic, and it’s set in a modern (not historical) American context.
Similar books I’ve considered but ruled out:
- *My Side of the Mountain* (1959, Jean Craighead George): A white boy runs away, but no stepmother, donkey cart, or cross-country trip.
- *The Miller, The Boy and the Donkey* (1969, Brian Wildsmith): Has a boy and donkey, but it’s a short fable, not a modern U.S. adventure.
- *Where the Red Fern Grows* (1961, Wilson Rawls): White boy and dogs, but no stepmother or donkey cart.
Any ideas on the title or author? Specific details like character names, adventure scenes, or the T-bone dinner argument are hazy, but the cover with the boy, donkey, and cart stands out. Thanks for any help!