The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter Search Amazon for other books by or about Forrest Carter. Rating: Reviewed by: James Serendip

"Gramma said when you come on something good, first thing to do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good spreads out where no telling it will go. Which is right."

There is a scant handful of books one runs across in a lifetime which actually are not books at all, but magical amulets against the strains of this life we humans have created for ourselves. The Education of Little Tree is one such fetish, crafted, as most magic is, with simplicity, honesty and heart, and it is strong medicine indeed.

I first heard of this book through a dear friend, who recommended that I read it with my wife, by chapters, each evening. This friend could not part with her copy of the book, however, as she and her lover had not yet finished it together. Some time later, my wife and I found a copy of the book that had been given to her mother with a hand-written note still in the book that must have accompanied it and served as bookmark. The note hinted at this book as being more than "inspirational," though certainly that. We followed our friends advice, and spent many subsequent evenings reading softly to each other, some nights gasping with laughter, some nights wetting our pillows with tears.

This "true story" by Forrest Carter, author of Outlaw Josey Wales, follows the growth of an orphaned Cherokee boy being raised by his hill-country grandparents in the depression era. Each chapter is a self-complete story, though they build upon each other to the conclusion of the book. In these small sketches of a natural life we see a child learning "The Way." Little Tree lives in a world of hound dogs and moonshine and deep honest love. Granpa and Gramma each have lessons to teach little tree through patience, trust and few words. Through rich characters like Pine Billy and Willow John, Little Tree's world grows slowly larger.

Carter manages to summon a palpable world of pine covered hills and cold streams that seems like a realm of pure innocence, yet completely without art, he infuses that world with the reality of politicians and prejudice and economy as seen through the eyes of the innocent. The language is distracting at first, but soon becomes second nature. I found myself often thinking in my "Granpa" voice. I even found myself quoting this book on numerous occasions throughout my daily affairs while I was reading it. The lessons that Little Tree learns are often lessons we all must still learn, and for anyone seeking to find peace in this hasty and voracious world, this book will resonate within you, like the soothing rush of the Spring Branch.

There is healing and growing to be found within The Education of Little Tree. So much so that I hesitated a long time before offering this review, because it is a great responsibility to introduce a large and unknown audience to a book such this. It is my fervent wish that everyone who reads this review will read this book, though I know that is doubtful. This is an opportunity not to be lost, a treasure that could easily be overlooked. I guarantee, The Education of Little Tree is a book that will live on inside you for a long time after you've read it, and bring you comfort, like Granpa's hand on your shoulder. Published by University of New Mexico Press in 1976.