The Haymeadow

by Gary Paulsen

1994

Status

Available

Call number

Paulsen

Genres

All Topics

Children's Books

Fiction

Collection

Adventure

Publication

Yearling (1994), 208 pages

Description

Fourteen-year-old John comes of age and gains self-reliance during the summer he spends up in the Wyoming mountains tending his father's herd of sheep.

User reviews

LibraryThing member MWFforJ757

(1992)

At only fourteen, John is needed to take care of the Barron-family charges – six thousand sheep that must be tended in the haymeadow high in the mountains. With two dogs and four horses as companions, John faces a host of challenges from snakebites and attacking bears to picking up the

pieces after a flash flood washes his summer “home” away, making him wonder if he’s truly the “man” for the job.

A wonderful, action-packed coming of age story told in the first person. John tells of his admiration for his gun-toting great-grandfather, a man he never knew but from his father’s stories and the picture poster on his wall. John resigns himself to his task, overcoming his initial fears to ask ‘what would great-granddaddy Barron do?’ Through self-reliance, ingenuity, and a strong desire to please his father, John finds that he does have what it takes to survive a summer in the haymeadow.

Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1993)

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5 more

LibraryThing member ErFe1028

I found this book to be amazing after I got past the first few pages and chapters. I find it amazing that someone used to have to spend months on there own with a bunch of sheep. I was cheering for him the whole time and got upset whenever a huge disaster struck. Like the dog hurt its foot and the

flood washed away his stuff.

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LibraryThing member fuzzi

John Barron is 14, and dissatisfied with his life on a sheep ranch. He dreams of being like his great grandfather, for whom he was named, the founder of the ranch now owned by an eastern conglomerate.

Then he finds himself having to grow up quickly, watching over thousands of sheep for three months,

with no assistance except for the sheep dogs and his two horses.

Another satisfying read by Gary Paulsen. Recommended.

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LibraryThing member mirrani

I liked this book less than I wanted to. I typically enjoy adventure stories that deal with overcoming some sort of natural obstacle in order to "survive", especially when it has to deal with horses or ranching. This was just a little too much survival though. Don't get me wrong, it was good to see

all the stuff about ranching and all of the hardships that must be faced when caring for sheep on your own, but it felt like it was slam full of one chaotic event after another, leaving no time to take a breath between mishaps. As a reader I felt like I didn't get the chance to take in my surroundings or get settled into the situation before I was uprooted again. I understand that the author was trying to convey the difficulties and responsibilities of ranching on your own, but it would be nice to have actually had a look around at the scenery and situation, to catch my breath and take the entire experience in. There is a little bit of family resolution at the end of the story, which was nice to see, but this is a true adventure story from beginning to end.

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LibraryThing member juniperSun

My son & I enjoyed the book, but there are so few teens living a country lifestyle that I'm not sure how many others would appreciate this. John's strong sense of responsibility (a reality of living on an isolated ranch) has him watching the sheep on their summer pasture. While he has the skills to

care for the animals, make camp, use and clean his rifle, his inexperience puts his life and the animals in danger. His knowledge that his great-grandfather had to figure it all out when he started the ranch provided the determination he needed to figure out what to do. And the peace of the mountain valley gives him strength.

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LibraryThing member KristenRoper

A coming-of-age story in which a young boy is sent to watch thousands of sheep alone up in the haymeadow in the mountains. He learns how to be independent and resourceful, to be alone with his thoughts, and reconnects with his father.

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