Terry is a six-year-old boy who doesn't want to go to school. In the pre-WWII Florida Everglades - his friend Mr. McCree has much more captivating things going on.
This little Tom Sawyer says goodbye to his mom but instead of going to school evades the truant officer and visits the packinghouses, his friend LuBelle and her grandma, and his kindred spirit friend and old man named McCree who lives off the land and makes a bit of a living by selling plants, pinecones, and other Everglade items.
McCree loves teaching him how to count, fish with his bare hands, make natural medicines, and drive his ancient truck. Society can't get over the fact that Terry's not in the four walls of a school building. His mom is at her wit's end trying to coerce him into going. His dad is busy with his work leading and organizing migrant worker camps.
Little Terrance "Terry" persists in his adventures. Eventually, he runs away for a few days and ends up rescuing McCree who falls out of a tree and breaks his leg. Terry never leaves his side. The whole incident ends up in a poignant court scene where all concerned are taught a lesson about life, relationships, and true learning.
As someone who learned about unschooling when my kids were small - thanks to my friend Emilee and the influence of some eclectic friends in London, I became exposed to a different theory of life and learning that has influenced the upbringing of our kids in dramatic ways.
I am ever so grateful. Combine this exposure with a generational heritage of independent thinking and a "question the authorities" mentality. The book is charming and actually based on the true childhood of the author's husband.
No comments:
Post a Comment