by Mary Buff
First published 1939
Kobi struggles to find his place in a world that seems determined to push him down. The young protagonist navigates the harsh realities of 1930s America, where opportunity feels scarce and hope even scarcer. Family expectations weigh heavily on his shoulders while economic hardship shapes every decision around him. Kobi must choose between the safe path others have laid out for him and the uncertain journey toward his own dreams. His story unfolds against a backdrop of small-town life, where everyone knows everyone else's business and breaking free requires more courage than most can muster. The boy discovers that growing up means making difficult choices, often with incomplete information and no guarantee of success. Through Kobi's eyes, readers witness the universal struggle between conformity and self-determination that defines the passage from childhood to adulthood.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, self-determination
Setting: America
Period: 1930s
Hardcover · Viking Juvenile