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The Loner

Author	Ester Wier
Language	English
Genre	Young-adult Fiction
Publisher	David McKay Company Inc.
Publication date	1963
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print
Pages	160 pp
ISBN	9780590443524

The Loner is a 1963 adolescent novel by author Ester Wier. The Loner was a recipient of the Newbery Honor award in 1964.

Plot

A young orphan boy, whose name, age, and background are unknown in the beginning of the book, is struggling to make ends meet for himself. He bounces from migrant family to migrant family, surviving by picking crops, but he makes no profit due to his wages being taken by the families he stays with. Near the beginning of the book, he makes his first friend, a girl named Raidy. Raidy befriends him and says he should have a name. Before she can decide on one, their friendship is cut short when Raidy is killed in a farming accident. Exhausted, hungry, and distraught over his only friend's death, the boy takes off on his own and collapses onto the ground without knowing or caring where he is or if he will survive. He is in Montana, where he was found by a woman named "Boss" and her dog Jupiter. Boss is a modern-day shepherd, tending to a flock of 900 sheep with the help of two dogs, where she brings the boy to her camp, caring for him until he recovers. Boss's camp tender, Tex explains to the boy how Boss's adult son, Ben, was killed by a bear and that Boss sometimes hunts for the bear that killed her son. He talks to the boy, motivating him to keep the place clean and do what Ben would have done for Boss. Pointing to a random page in the Bible, the boy chooses the name "David," which Boss takes a sign that she is supposed to help him (David was also a shepherd). Angie, Ben's widow, brings David some of Ben's old clothing, and gives him a haircut, and intends to teach him how to read and write. Throughout the story there is a pattern: each person that David meets expresses interest in helping him. David is understandably quite skeptical of people's intentions and feels like he's only a stray or a burden. However, he grew from a loner to someone who welcomes love and other people into his life. He also learnt about the give and take of civilization, and how to handle the responsibility of caring for Boss's sheep and doing chores as he accepts help from others to meet his own needs and overcome his hardships.

Main Characters

• David-- Protagonist
• Boss-- Takes the boy in, feeds him and names him. Has recently lost her adult son, Ben, after he is killed by a bear.
• Tex-- Camp tender. Brings supplies to the camp and befriends David.
• Angie-- Ben's widow. Teaches David how to write his name and provides him with some of Ben's' clothing.
• Raidy-- David's first friend. Killed accidentally after being sucked into a machine.

Miracles on Maple Hill

Plot

Marly and her family went on an adventures when they her mother decides to move from the city to grandma's farmhouse on Maple Hill. Her father is recovering after being a prisoner-of-war. Her mom hope the country life would help them to recover from past unhappiness, so they would bond closely as a family. She is worried about her father, subtle reaction towards others, and to familiarize herself with the world around her. she definitely wants to learning and exploring more than any other activity. The changing seasons and the wildlife of Maple Hill fascinate her. when they arrive at Maple Hill there were still slushy snow on the ground and the maple trees are just about at that stage where sugary sap are ready to be harvested for sugar.

Miracles was the main focus of the story, Mr. Chris told Marty that he promise her at least one new miracle. Mr. Chris became Marly's guide to the wonders of Maple Hill, he teaches Marly and her brother Joe about plants, animals and how they develop in nature. As time progresses Marly noticed the seasonal changing while neighbors worked together and her father's health and cranky attitude began to heal. Marly began to believe what Mr. Chris told her about miracles happening on Maple Hill. Mrs. Chris on the other hand, declare that she hates the sugaring season because of the pressure it puts on her hardworking husband's heart. At that moment Marly began to comprehend the mixed blessings of life Mr. Chris, who grows dearer to her than any other adult with the exception of her parents.

As the season changes a new miracle occurs. Spring blossom life to plants and brings new life from seeds and animals. During summer Marly starts to explore where she come across upon living things that she has never seen before, including foxes. Joe, who once made fun of Marly's desire to saves the lives of mice and other animals, saves the foxes' lives, revealing his new reaction to the virtue of life. Fall brings with it amazing colors: "Every morning on Maple Hill, Marly woke in the middle of a scarlet and golden miracle." Even this joyous outbreak of colorful leaves must be tempered by the knowledge that another winters will come soon. Yet winter too has its miracles, as when a cardinal comes to Marly's window for the food she has left out to attract birds. Other miracles are highly personal. When Mr. Chris has a heart attack,Marly learns what she can do for a friend. His maple trees need to be tapped of their spring run of sugary sap or he will not have the money he needs for supplies. She and her family not only tap their own maple trees, they help Mr. Chris's hired hand, Fritz, tap the Chrises' trees. Through cold and exhaustion, Marly works as hard

Characters

Marly : A ten year old girl who is worried about her dad’s behaviour. She wants to explore nature and the miracles in Maple Hill.

Joe : Marly’s twelve years old brother would rather be back in the city.

Lee ( Marly’s mom) : Decides the family should take a trip to grandma’s old house in Maple Hill Pennsylvania after her husband returned from war.

Dale ( Marly’s dad) : He is having a difficult time overcoming his devastating world war ll experience after he return home.

Mr. Chris : The maple sugar farmer who teaches Marly and her brother about animals and plants. He also suffers a heart attack.

Mrs Chris : Prepares meals and help Marly's family.

Harry : The hermit that became Joe’s friend.

Audiobook

A full-cast recording was released in 2005, narrated by Cynthia Bishop read in a thrilling tone.

In popular culture

"Miracles on Maple Hill" and its author Virginia Sorensen is one of the highlights of The Harry Hill Maple Farm Museum in Pennsylvania where they dedicate an exhibit in honor of the book and the author.

Award

Newbery Honor Honor Book in 1957

Critical Reception

According to Sarah Chokla Gross reviewing for Country Magic she mentioned that “ the book is packed with incident, Country magic, family love and people to remember”. Mitali Perkins of School Journal Library also said that Sorenson’s description of “different season’s always mirror the gradual changes taking place in her characters.”kirkus reviews acclaim that "this is a complete and realistic family story"

References

Association for Library Services to Children. Newbery Medal winners, 1922-Present “ Miracles on Maple Hill.” American Library Association

Harry Hill Maple Hill Association. "Miracles on Maples Hill - The Book and Exhibit." Retrieved 26 Nov. 2015

Cruze, Karen. “Miracles On Maple Hill.” Booklist 1 June 2005: 1838. Artemis literary sources. Web. 24 Nov. 2015

Gross Sarah Chokla. Country Magic Reviews of “Miracles on Maple Hill.” New York Times 26 Aug 1956 BR15

Wysocki, Barabara. “Miracles on Maples Hill.” School Library Journal 61.7(2015): 47-48. Book Review Digest Plus (H.W. Wilson). Web. 24 Nov.2015.

Kirkus Reviews "Miracles on Maple Hill." https://www.kirkusreviews.com. Retrieved 26 Nov. 2015