First published 1993
A young boy finds himself under the care of Old Ramon, a weathered shepherd who knows the Mojave Desert like his own weathered hands. Ramon has spent decades tending his flock across these harsh plains, becoming as much a part of the landscape as the twisted juniper trees that dot the horizon. The boy watches and absorbs everything as Ramon teaches him the ways of desert life. He learns to read the signs of approaching sandstorms, to spot the coiled threat of rattlesnakes among the rocks, and to understand the delicate balance between the sheep and their predators. Coyotes howl in the distance while wolves lurk at the edges of their world. Through long days under the blazing sun and cold nights beneath endless stars, an unexpected bond forms between the grizzled shepherd and his young charge. Ramon passes down not just practical knowledge but the deeper wisdom that comes only from years of living close to the land. Their friendship becomes a bridge between generations in this unforgiving but beautiful wilderness.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, coming-of-age
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate
Tropes: found-family, mentor-mentee
Setting: Mojave Desert
Period: 20th Century
102 pages · Paperback · Walker Childrens