All Alone

All alone, high on the slope of the Little Giant in the French Alps of Saucie, ten-year-old Marcel yodeled to keep himself company. Like other boys in his village, Marcel would have to look over the family's cows during the summer; and the inflexible, age-old rule was, "Don't visit, keep to yourself, mind your own business, attend to your own cows and nothing else."

If it were not for the Oloooo! of another boy yodeling in the distance, this might have been a quiet summer for Marcel. Instead, it was the beginning of an incredible adventure.

All Alone by Claire Huchet Bishop is about a ten-year-old boy named Marcel who’s sent to the French Alps to take care of his family’s cows for the summer. His village believes in keeping to yourself, but when Marcel faces a tough decision, he has to choose between following that rule or doing what he feels is right. Even though the book is meant for younger readers, I thought the message was powerful and still relatable. It really makes you think about how sometimes doing the right thing means going against what you’ve been taught. Marcel’s story shows that growing up isn’t just about age,it’s about learning to make your own choices.

Two cowherd boys disobey their fathers' orders to keep to themselves and instead become friends. Their kindness changes the way of life for their entire town.
Short and sweet. Indeed, slightly saccharine, even.