The Boys of San Joaquin

By D. James Smith

Book Overview

In a small California town in 1951, twelve-year-old Paolo and his deaf cousin Billy get caught up in a search for money missing from the church collection, leading them to complicated discoveries about themselves, other family members, and townspeople they thought they knew. Aimed at thirteen and older age group.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689876068
• ISBN13: 9780689876066
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 231 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

Boys of the San Joaquin

I bought three books by this author because the Fresno Bee said they had received many awards and not many sales. This is the early 1950s. This is Fresno Calif. Several lives are involved in this book. I normally don't read kids books because I am 73. But, this book is a delight. There is morals, accountaility, humor, kindness, thoughtfulness, acceptance, caring, and love. A family of 10 kids and the pop and mom and their friends. I have no idea why these books are not selling; they are a delight. Perhaps they are not selling because there is no cussing, blood and guts, but,there is the type of romance I remember where a sister parks with her boyfriend. Are you too old to read this book? Never, it will leave you with a warm heart. Your pre teens and teens should really enjoy this book.

First class youth literature for any age!

My husband and I read this book aloud on a trip across country, and it was wonderful. I want to use it with my 6th graders this coming school year. It reflects the very American voices of Twain and Steinbeck, and, like both these authors' works, is filled with humor, social commentary, and honest emotions. I am so glad that the title and cover caught my eye!