Charles Major (1) (1856–1913)

FIRECRACKERS, DRUMS, CANNONS, TRUMPETS AND SHOUTS OF GLEE- DHM DOES A VICTORY DANCE, FOLLOWED BY A LOUD THUD AS SHE TRIPS OVER HER OWN FEET AND FALLS GRACELESSLY TO THE FLOOR, STILL CHORTLING IN FRABJOUS GLEE------------__The Bears of Blue River__ by Charles Major- Oh, my!

This is still in print, in paperback. Review from Amazon: American heritage for American schools, January 9, 2002 Reviewer: A reader from St. Louis, MO USA
My 4th and 5th grade classes were addicted to this book. When I stopped my short "reading to the class" every day, the children would grab "The Bears"and read the next part on their own. What a refreshing story after all the political correct junk on TV and in so- called children's books. This is the sort of "diversity" that is
never touched on and is so needed by our kids. ----

My then review: This is a pioneer story, set in Indiana, lots of hunting, camping, self-sufficiency stuff, adventures, fun- very much a boy book. None of my girls have been much interested in it, sadly. My grandpa gave me my copy when I was five years old, as it had been a favorite of his when he was young. I read it myself when
I was six. Embarrassing personal story: I then drove my parents nuts because I wanted them to call me Balser. Balser is the young hero of the book, and I am told that for months I refused to answer to any name but Balser
.
There are 18 Amazon review, all five stars, and all of them talk about having been given the book by a grandparent who loved it, or having it read in class (grades 3-5 seem to be the typical age range). Definitely a keeper for boys' books.

I'm currently reading it aloud, slowly so we can savor it, to the youngest two children. The FYG tolerates it and is interested sometimes in spite of herself. Her older sisters have poisoned her mind against this book, and she's in a very girly girl stage, more of it and earlier than her older siblings were. Maybe this is in reaction to her adorable but unmistakably hoydenish toddler and preschool years.

The BOY, on the other hand, is eating it up. He requests it every day, requests more of it each time I finish reading, wants to know all about if Bears can really do this or that, and if they can truly be killed this or that way, and more besides.

He also wants to know, "When you die, someday can I be the one to get The Bears of Blue River?"

And yes, of course he gets the book, and many more besides, the worthy lad.… (mere)