Book Review: Man of the Family

The sequel to Little Britches, Man of the Family picks up where Britches left off. Ralph Moody, in this autobiographical series, paints the reader right into the picture of his childhood. He and his family had moved to Colorado in 1906 when Ralph was eight years old. His father had to move west for health reasons and bought their "ranch" sight unseen, on the recommendation of a less-than-trustworthy cousin. To say they were shocked at first sight of their new home would be a gross understatement. The house was uninhabitable and the trip west had used up almost all their money. But it was these very circumstances that make the telling of this tale so remarkable.

Charlie, Ralph's father, was a man of integrity and ingenuity. And Ralph was an eager apprentice in these character qualities. Together they learned about ranching and building and animal husbandry. The frugality and resourcefulness they exhibit as a family is an inspiration. No challenge arose that wasn't manfully met. Even under the most desperate circumstances, there was a calm resolve to simply do their very best. 

At the end of Little Britches, everything changed for the family when Charlie died. Man of the Family received its title because that is the role Ralph stepped into at the ripe old age of eleven. Mrs. Moody, realizing they could not maintain the ranch with her husband gone, sold it to move into a house in town. The family had no visible means of support, but simply set to work finding ways to earn money. The work ethic of each member of the family is such an incredible example, and sets a wonderful standard for our little listeners as I have read it aloud during our school time. We have discussed many times how so many opportunities were offered to Ralph because he was such a hard worker and so determined to solve any problem that arose.

His love and skill with horses provided him with many adventures and ways to raise money for his family. But one of the things I loved the most about this book is all the ways the family found to work together to accomplish their projects. Mrs. Moody and her six children were an example to all those who knew them. And just when it looked like they had found a way to finally not live hand to mouth, the most unexpected crisis arises and forces Mrs. Moody to say this: "Children, I have to make the greatest decision of my life--possibly of our lives--and I need your help."

This is the second book in a series of seven. And when we finished it today, the kids begged me to immediately order the next one. I am already thinking that, if I time it right, we could still be reading through the next five installments when we go on our "epic road trip" later this year. We always take some great books to read aloud in the travel trailer before we go to bed at night. It can be a challenge, however, to find books written well enough to engage ages 49 down to 11, but these books would definitely accomplish that. 

This is #18 in the 52 in 52 challenge.