"The boy Jody watched it, speculating. "

*This post contains spoilers.

I recently read The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and started it as a read aloud with the kids. As a classic coming of age story, I recommend it for children of all ages with the added caution that those with sensitive ones might pre-read it for appropriateness. Rawlings powerful descriptions of hunting and living off the land might be difficult for those unaccustomed to such close proximity with the origin of our food source. In addition, children sympathetic to their pets might find the ending difficult.

I waited patiently for the appearance of Jody's yearling for about half the book when I realized that Jody is the yearling.

On a warm sunny day in mid-February, Jody looked up from the bottom of the sink-hole. Flag stood in silhouette at the top. For a startled moment, it seemed to him that it was another deer. Flag was so big--He had not seen how fast he was growing. Many a young yearling shot for food was no bigger than he. he went home to Penny in excitement. penny sat by the kitchen hearth, wrapped in quilts, though the day was mild.

Jody burst out, "Pa, you reckon Flag's near about a yearlin'?"

Penny looked at him quizzically.

"I been thinkin' that myself lately. Give him a month more, I'd say he was a yearlin'."

"How'll he be different?"

"Well, he'll stay off in the wood longer. He'll grow a good bit bigger. He'll be betwixt and between. He'll be like a person standin' on the state line. He'll be leavin' one and turnin' into t'other. Behind him's the fawn. Before him's the buck."

Suggested assignments:

Rawings paints memorable and vivid mental pictures in an engaging style that holds the attention and keeps the reader coming back for more. If the language and dialect is not a stumbling block, use this book for a new narrator by narrating after short episodes, those transitioning from oral to written narrations, or for those who are beginning to assign guided narrations to older students. Because of the local dialect, it might be helpful to listen to a recorded reading while reading along in the text.

My edition contains two paragraphs with several typos that missed final editing in chapter 16. Use these paragraphs as an exercise in grammar and editing.

Available study guide for older students at Progeny Press.