THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE

Johnny Heller's gravelly portrayal of an orphan who is adopted and educated by his Cherokee grandmother and half-Cherokee grandfather is irresistibly poignant. His changing voice captures the rapidly maturing boy as learns to survive with nature in Depression-era Appalachia. The humor is low-key as Heller recounts how Little Tree masters his grandpa's talent for making moonshine and for hiding it from revenuers. When a brief stint in an abusive Methodist orphanage makes Little Tree all the more grateful for his return to the mountains, Heller maintains a tone that suggests the character's wonder at the beauty and chaos of his world. While not actual Native American lore, this story of a unique, blessed youth is compelling. D.P.D. [Published: AUGUST 2014]