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The Education of Little Tree tells of a boy orphaned very young, who is adopted by his Cherokee grandmother and half-Cherokee grandfather in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee during the Great Depression.
"Little Tree" as his grandparents call him is shown how to hunt and survive in the mountains, to respect nature in the Cherokee Way, taking only what is needed, leaving the rest for nature to run its course.
Little Tree also learns the often callous ways of white businessmen and tax collectors, and how Granpa, in hilarious vignettes, scares them away from his illegal attempts to enter the cash economy. Granma teaches Little Tree the joys of reading and education. But when Little Tree is taken away by whites for schooling, we learn of the cruelty meted out to Indian children in an attempt to assimilate them and of Little Tree's perception of the Anglo world and how it differs from the Cherokee Way.
A classic of its era, and an enduring book for all ages, The Education of Little Tree has now been redesigned for this twenty-fifth anniversary edition.
The super-seller memoir of a Cherokee boyhood in the 1930s. The most sensitive and evocative autobiographical account ever of the Cherokee way, as seen through the eyes of a young boy in the Appalachian Mountains.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Jan 31 00:00:00 EST 2008
I actually didnt buy this book from here originally. I am buying it again though, not only to own the 25th anniversary version, but also to own a copy that isnt worn. I have read this book a dozen or more times, lent it to friends to let read, and talked about it for years. Everytime I read this book I find something new in it. Something I didnt laugh at, something I didnt learn, or something I never felt. I was an English major in college, and have read a lot of books, both for academics and for pleasure. This remains my favorite by far. Only an open-minded and full-hearted person should read this, though. Otherwise, the lessons are gone to waste.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Pippalotta
Posted Fri Oct 22 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I loved this book like everyone else here did. But I didn't know when I read it that it was written by a monster. Finding out about the true identity of Forrest (Asa) Carter changed everything for me. Knowing that the Cherokee people DO NOT endorse this depiction of themselves by a White supremacist KKK honcho is knowledge constantly at war with my emotional response to the book.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Dec 19 00:00:00 EST 2010
Apparently this book was lost on the younger readers, even though it was told from (in the beginning) a 5 year old's perspective. This book made me laugh out loud, feel sad, feel happy, and made me cry for a good hour in the end. I was devastated when I found out if was not a true story after all.
The author was definitely not a good person, 1. for falsely claiming the book was true, and 2. for his association with segregationists (KKK). I can't imagine how someone wrote so sympathetically about Native Americans, yet was prejudiced against another race. A totally illogical contradiction to my mind.
Even with that said I still think the book itself deserves 5 stars, just get it from the library.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 09 00:00:00 EDT 2010
"The Education of Little Tree" is one of those books that can bring you out of you reality while you read it, and change your everyday life when you're not. Forest Carter makes the outdoors and a simplistic lifestyle desired instead of the busy lives that we live today. This book inspires you to stop and look around once in a while.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Dec 24 00:00:00 EST 2004
That's what this book should be sub-titled. I love the simple humor as seen through the eyes of a child, the wisdom beyond literacy shown by the grandfather, and the understanding shown by the marriage of the grandparents that this book exemplifies. I read everything and this book is my #1 favorite of all time..YOU MUST READ THIS AND GIVE IT TO ALL OF OUR CHILDREN (TEENS, YOUNG ADULTS, ETC.)!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2004
Geez, where do i start? Well, i guess that i will just cut to the chase. It is by far the greatest book that i have ever read. It includes just about every tone you can ask from a book. To name a few, side-splitting laughter, suspense, and sadness. Now i must admit that i put off reading this book for about two years. But once i picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Now, if you are thinking the same way that i was when i first borrowed the book from a relative, DON'T! Whatever you do, do not put off reading this book. I can garauntee that it will be on your 'TOP 5 LIST'. And if you are thinking about buying it, hurry up! Definetly a timeless book for all ages.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2010
The Education of Little Tree is the most amazing story. The story of a young Cherokee living with his grandparents in the mouatins. I wont give anything away because you have to read this book it is an amazing, wonderful, toching, hearfelt story that is must read for everybody. This book broke my heart and I cried hard while reading this book and I will proably read it again and again because this book has changed my life. I can not make you read this book but I can tell you that you will love it no matter who you are.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat May 02 00:00:00 EDT 2009
The locale of this story is in east Tennessee which once was part of the Cherokee homland. When the rest of the Cherokee were removed to Oklahoma many of the Cherokee took to the hills of Tennessee as well as the surrounding states. There they stayed and have remained to this day.
The Education of Little Tree is about a little boy that is an orphan sent to live with his Cherokee relatives in the backwood mountains of East Tenneessee during the early 20th Century.
The story operates on two levels. On one level it is about the interplay between the members of a family. On that level it is guaranteed to hit all of the reader's buttons. It is warm, it is funny, very occasionally it brings tears to the reader's eyes or fills our hearts with anger. As a story about people this book will become a classic and live forever.
On the second level this book is a story about how a small segment of our society adjusted to our coming and build a life for themselves rich in value even if not in wealth.
Ron,
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a book for people trying to learn how to make their world a better place by understanding what shapes different people's view of the world. I think you must be a parent to really enjoy this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2004
Of Cherokee heritage, I grew up in the foothills of the Smokies, where this story is set. It's a beautiful book, filled with heart, humor and Cherokee lore. It's my favorite book on the Cherokee, next to Walking the Trail, One Man's Journey Along the Cherokee Trail of Tears, by Native American writer Jerry Ellis.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 20 00:00:00 EDT 2004
This book shows the discrimination that native americans face in the 30's. It lets you see the way the cherokees live and their beliefs. You can understand how they bond and care for each other. This is true and deep. Now that I told you the good stuff. I have to tell you that some parts are interesting while others, well, not so much. I might like it when im older but not that much now. But none the less i like the emotion behind it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Oct 05 00:00:00 EDT 2002
this was one of the best books i've ever read it taught me a lot about life and my own education if you read this please read the book
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Aug 23 00:00:00 EDT 2000
Like other students, in highschool I was forced to read this book! But every adult had said the book was great so I thought it would be good! But, I didn't find that the book had a point to it! I do understand all the Lesson's Little Tree learned, but was that the point?!? I gave it a two because towards the end it picked up adventure/action-wise...even though I wasn't a fan of the ending! This book is probably more appreciated when read by an adult!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jun 13 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I Also Recommend:
A little "slow" here and there, but stick-with-it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tickle-Horse
Posted Fri Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2014
"Forest Carter" was exposed many years ago after his death….his real name was Esa Earl Carter….Google him and see what you think! The story has been represented as a true story written by a descendent of the Cherokee. In reality nothing could be further from the truth. The fact that the publisher of this book has known this, as has the entire literary world, yet continues to hide the truth about the book and its author, apparently for the sake of sales, is appalling to me.
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Posted Sun Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This story touched my heart. It is a great tale about the mountains, the way of the Indian, and growing up. It is especially touching in its way of telling the story from a child's point of view. I think this is an important book to read because it addresses underlying issues that we face even today; prejudice, family, life, death. While I do recommend that everyone read this book at some point, I would say this book is best for older readers. There is quite a bit of swearing, and some scenes involving deeper issues--such as prejudice and discrimination---that would only be understood by more mature readers. Definitely a must read!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2012
A lot of good teachings and inspirational, as well as educational.
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Posted Mon Mar 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012
My all time favorite! I was given this book by a friend while camping and fishing in the Smokies of NC. I sat up all night reading by the light of a Coleman lantern. Entertaining, humorous, filled with life's lessons and the importance of family, and I promise it will bring tears at times. I have given many copies to friends and family. Five star read all the way
AthaliaStoneback
Posted Sun Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2012
This book is a wonderful story about growing up Native American. The reader can learn to have an appreciation for Native American culture, as well as for nature. The ending was very sad. I would definitely recommend this book.
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Posted Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2011
I just finishrd reading this book and i am 11. Though there is a lot of swering this book is very funny. My mom and me cryed through the end when he goes to the orphanige. My favorite part is with mr. chuck. This book is a must read, TOTALY!!!!!!!!
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Overview
The Education of Little Tree tells of a boy orphaned very young, who is adopted by his Cherokee grandmother and half-Cherokee grandfather in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee during the Great Depression.
"Little Tree" as his grandparents call him is shown how to hunt and survive in the mountains, to respect nature in the Cherokee Way, taking only what is needed, leaving the rest for nature to run its course.
Little Tree also learns the often callous ways of white ...