Old Ramon

A boy (who is never named, but just called "the boy") goes on a long trek across the American Southwest with a flock of sheep, two dogs, and Old Ramon, an elderly, experienced sheep herder. Old Ramon, who has no formal education, has plenty of wisdom regarding what he does, and he imparts it patiently to the boy. The setting is beautifully described, and the story moves at the unhurried pace of a flock of sheep.
This is more of a short story than a novel. There are no characters other than the boy and Old Ramon; there are no sub-plots.
I found it irritating that the boy is never named. I had the same complaint with "Sounder." It's well done for what it is. If a boy learning about life and sheep herding from a wise old man sounds show more appealing to you, you'll love this book. If it doesn't, then skip this one. show less

Every so often, I read a children's book, just because. This one has been in my shelf for a while, snagged at a used-book store out of my love for Shane and Monte Walsh. The rhythmic, running-on voice of Jack Schaefer is immediately recognizable in this little story. He uses repetition of words and phrases to create a rugged poetry and he manages to stir emotion for the Old West in a carefully placed adjective here and there, like the "brave" circle of light from Ramon and the boy's fire.

This doesn't feel like a children's book, really. It's a timeless book, a hundred pages of gently rolling prose that tells of another time and leaves much unsaid. The setting is, of course, a main strength; but so are the conversations and relationship show more between Ramon and the boy and their dogs, the wisdom and stories Ramon imparts to the boy (I was reminded a bit of Santiago and Manolin, though that old man is alone with his sea for much of the book). I might not have had the patience for this book as a middle-grade reader; but of the obscure Newbery Honor books, this one is worth picking up. A gem with subdued yet lasting shine. show less

There's a handful of sheep and boy Newbery novels, but this is probably my favorite. It's well written and memorable. The one weakness is that it's Old Ramon who is most memorable, and the kid is an unnamed blank slate. So is this a novel for a child, or an adult? Now I'm reevaluating my enjoyment of the novel and what it says about me, as an adult. Perhaps this is a good introduction to the author's other novels.

This quiet, moving little story is about a young boy who goes out with an old man to herd sheep for a season. With them are two herding dogs, an old brown one with lots of experience, and a young black dog, eager and foolhardy. The two older ones patiently teach the youngsters, sharing from their wealth of knowledge and experience. Through the desert season, together they face sandstorms, rattlesnakes, floods, wolves and coyotes. The boy must also confront tragedy, when the black dog's bravery gets him into trouble. (In many ways this book reminded me of Steinbeck's The Red Pony). Besides being a tender story about one boy's growing up, Old Ramon is also full of rich details of the Southwest, the culture and the wide, harsh desert show more landscape. It was interesting to learn some little facts about sheep- how the old man killed ticks by blowing smoke into their wool, how they could drown in a stream from the weight of their waterlogged fleece. Quite aptly, the book opens with the old man and boy arguing which is more stupid, a sheep or a chicken! Old Ramon is a nice little book, a glimpse into the life of a sheepherder, with his trials, struggles and nuggets of wisdom. show less

Pretty good YA novel about an old sheepherder, a young boy learning the trade, and two sheepdogs. Short but sweet. I would have complained if I was forced to read this in elementary school, but I really enjoyed it now! I like the outdoors and dogs, but not necessarily sheep! I picked this up at a yard sale and read it in a couple of hours.

Thinking about this. Read for Newbery Club in Children's books so I have comments there, and others have wonderful things to say, too. I recommend it, esp. to those boys who aren't given enough credit for how smart they are, just because they may face obstacles to doing more reading. Themes of manhood, courage, honor, etc., plus some adventure, and no wasted words or pages.

A coming-of-age story about a boy who spends a summer with a sheep flock and the old man who tends them, learning about friendship and life.
Meh. I think my Newbery Books about Boys Shepherding in the Wilderness compartment is chockablock full at this point.