Sawdust in His Shoes

I thought this would be a cute fluffy book - circus kid stranded on a farm, struggles to get back to the life he's used to. Fun, but light. Wow, did I miss the mark. There's more depth in this than in a good many books for adults - and it's a great story at the same time. Joe's struggles, with the situation and with himself, are fascinating, beautifully depicted, and very realistic. He makes the right choices, but only after he's made wrong ones and come to understand the right ones. And a perfect ending. This will be reread many times - and I'll be looking for more by the author. I think I have some of her books, not sure if I've ever read any before. Yay for great reprints!

Where has this book been all my life? Somehow in early 1960s when I haunted the Ocean Park Library in Santa Monica, I never encountered it. Fortunately, it has been republished by Plough Publishing House in time for my grandchildren to grow into it, and it is such a timeless and universally appealing book that both I and my daughter are delighted that I received it through the Early Reviewers program.

I cannot remember who said that the criterion of a good children's book is one in which "the characters change" (a child's words), that is, one in which personal growth takes place. Sawdust in his Shoes is a coming-of-age story in which not only does the young protagonist mature, learning to trust adults outside his previous experience and show more find the good in "gillies" (non-circus folks), but also his foster family on an Oregon farm and even some of the neighbours who make brief appearances in the story experience personal change and broadening horizons. "One of the ten best children's books of the year -- New York Times", states the front cover blurb. Faint praise for a truly outstanding book! If the Lewis Carroll Shelf Awards (given to the best children's books of all time, worthy to stand next to Alice on the bookshelf) were still being bestowed, I'd nominate Sawdust in his Shoes. show less

This review and others posted over at my blog.

I won a copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t know until after finishing this book that it was actually written in 1950; that explains the authenticity, but it doesn’t feel dry like some older texts have the tendency to do (at least for me).

When I threw my name in the hat for this book, I was looking for a change of pace. Y’all know I love me some middle-grade and I usually drift towards the fantastical. It was time to dip into something a little different.

I obviously didn’t grow up in the 50s (or whenever this book was set – maybe it was earlier, I’m not sure), but the language and tone of the book felt realistic. There’s even a glossary show more in the back, “Talk of the Big Top”, which helpfully explains some of the terms like candy butcher (not as grim as it sounds), gillie and windjammers.

Joe Lang is as authentic as the vocabulary throughout the book. He’s tenacious, driven and earnest and I loved every minute of his journey. He’s ripped away from his life in the circus after tragedy strikes and in the blink of an eye he’s taken away from his longtime friend and father-figure, Moe Shapley, delivered to a horrible vocational school, and on the run in hopes of getting back to the circus. He finds himself at the Dawson farm and only intends on staying a few days until he can figure out a plan. I felt for Joe, understood his longing to get back to the circus, which was the only home he knew. Adding to his longing was his missed opportunity for a chance at a solo show thanks to his rising fame as a performer.

The Dawsons are a likeable family. Pop Dawson is patient and understanding, never doubting Joe’s motives, despite how cagey he is at first. The Dawson children are in awe of Joe, instantly taking a liking to him. I was glad there was no petty jealousy among the children. I’m so over the “let’s be mean to the new kid” trope. (Not that it’s not present in some form in the book, but it comes from minor characters.) Only Ma Dawson is skeptical of the quiet, brooding boy. But Joe is good with her children and hardworking. The development of Joe and Mrs. Dawson’s relationship over time is gratifying.

Joe’s inner turmoil over longing to be back at the circus and finding himself content with farm life, his maturity as the story progresses, and his charm really drives the story. Much like Joe, I found myself wanting him to stay with the Dawsons, but also wanting him to achieve his goal of a solo show in the circus and reunite with Moe.

I devoured most of this book in one sitting. I (clearly) loved Joe and the focus on found family. Sawdust in His Shoes surprised me; it was funny, uplifting, tense and rewarding!

I recommend this if:
+ You’re looking for a realistic, historical middle-grade
+ You like heartwarming, found family stories
+ You want a protagonist from the circus show less

received through librarything's early review program

This is a lovely book. It is very much a product of the 50s, as far as gender roles go, but despite that is refreshingly free of misogyny. And the story is just lovely; sweet, true, honest about how terrible living with a teen can be, and doesn't fall for the trope of "what s wonderful life" in pretending that beating someone's dreams out of them is ok, as long as they achieve someone else's dream. Ok, it's true, I specifically hate that movie, but also I feared that was where this book was going, and it didn't, and I thank it for that.

One minute Joe is on top of the world – fame, applause, friends – the next he is orphaned, homeless, and unemployed. When his father is killed, Joe hopes he’ll be able to stay in the circus and live with an old friend. But the court needs time to consider the matter. Soon the circus must move on and Joe is shoved into a boys’ home. Joe decides to set off on his own instead, but it’s only after meeting an extraordinary ordinary family that things finally start looking up.

A few years ago I read another book by Jarvis and really enjoyed it. (The Golden Goblet) When I heard she had a new book out, I was pleased but surprised. She must be pretty lucky to be writing new stuff so long after her previous book. It turns out that this show more is a new edition of her very first novel, which explains its old-fashioned feel. It’s set during the height of the traveling circus, when tractors were replacing horse drawn plows, when telephones were on the party line and no television existed. A circus was seen as glamorous and exotic, not quite respectable.

Joe is a brash, daring kid with a quick temper. He’s kind of a mess when his dad dies. It takes a family like the Dawsons to help him heal.

I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a little while to get into it, but that might have been me. Once I got started, the story moved well enough. I think most lids would like this one. It was clean and perfect for your animal loving kids. It would be good one to read aloud too. show less

As a child I loved the Moorchild, and Moccasin Trail. I had never heard of Sawdust in His Shoes, the first novel of a beloved author.

IT WAS WONDERFUL. It was a engaging lovely story perfect for summer reading or school literature. It is a book about trial, unconditional love, prejudice, right/wrong, and growing up.

***Spoilers***

Joe has lived all his life at the circus. His mother was a tightrope walker and his father is a lion tamer...until he dies in the ring. Now Joe is underage and alone. He is sent to live at a school for boys, a dark and unhappy place. When he tries to run away from the school he literally stumbles into the Dawson family.

Pop Dawson is the picture of love and compassion. He wants what is best for this strange boy show more who looks nothing like him and whom he knows nothing about. This is an amazing picture of adoption in a time when adoption was still frowned upon by many.

Joe becomes part of the family, learns to love, learns to be loved. But, he can't seem to get the circus out of his blood. Will he get to go back? Will he leave his new family and community?

I loved this book even though it is not in a genre I would normally read. My daughter started yesterday and is nearly done. She can't put it down. This is a good book. Enjoy! show less

Joe has grown up as a circus performer, but the loss of his parents leads him into an unfamiliar life. It was rewarding to see Joe expand his understanding of people, and to find a second family who love him for who he is and support him even though his dreams and aspirations are so unfamiliar to them.