Boom Town Boy
by Lois Lenski
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About This Book
A boy and his grandpa hope to strike oil in drought-ridden Oklahoma It's hot in Oklahoma. There's no wind, the wells are dry, and the ground is dead. Orvie's family is doing everything they can to keep their farm going. If they miss a payment on the mortgage, the bank will take their home away, and they'll have nowhere else to go. Farming is tough, honest work, and it's no way to get rich. For years, Orvie's grandfather has sworn that there's oil under their land, and as soon as it starts bubbli
Our Review
This historical fiction novel transports young readers to 1930s Oklahoma, where a farm family faces drought and financial hardship during the Great Depression. Through young Orvie's eyes, children experience the relentless heat, dried-up wells, and the constant threat of losing their home to the bank. The story captures the tension between traditional farming life and the tantalizing possibility of striking oil beneath their barren land, offering a vivid window into rural American history.
Lenski's strength lies in her authentic depiction of childhood resilience during economic struggle, making this particularly valuable for children curious about life during harder times. The intergenerational bond between Orvie and his oil-dreaming grandfather adds emotional depth to this coming-of-age tale. Young readers will find themselves invested in the family's fate, learning about perseverance and hope through Orvie's determined spirit.
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