The Loner (children's novel) facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Ester Wier |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | David McKay |
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Publication date
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1963 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 160 pp |
The Loner is a 1963 novel for young people written by Ester Wier. This book was recognized with the Newbery Honor award in 1964, which is a special prize for great children's books.
The Story of David
The book starts with a young orphan boy. We don't know his name, age, or where he comes from. He is trying to survive on his own. He moves from one farming family to another, picking crops to earn money. But the families he stays with often take his wages.
Early in the story, the boy meets his first friend, a girl named Raidy. She is kind to him and thinks he should have a name. Sadly, their friendship ends too soon. Raidy dies in a farming accident.
Feeling very tired, hungry, and sad about losing his only friend, the boy runs away. He collapses on the ground, not caring what happens to him. He wakes up in Montana. A woman known as "Boss" finds him with her dog, Jupiter. Boss is a shepherd, meaning she takes care of a large group of sheep. She brings the boy to her camp and helps him get better.
Tex, who helps Boss at the camp, explains something important to the boy. Boss's son, Ben, was killed by a bear. Boss sometimes hunts the bear that harmed her son. Tex encourages the boy to help Boss. He tells him to keep the camp clean and do things Ben would have done.
The boy chooses a name for himself by pointing to a random page in the Bible. He picks the name "David." Boss sees this as a sign that she should help him, because David in the Bible was also a shepherd. Later, Angie, who was Ben's wife, brings David some of Ben's old clothes. She also cuts his hair and plans to teach him how to read and write.
Throughout the book, many people David meets want to help him. David is careful about trusting people. He feels like he is just a burden to others. But as the story goes on, he changes. He learns to accept love and help from people. He also learns about how people help each other in life. David takes on the job of caring for Boss's sheep and doing chores. He learns to accept help to overcome his difficulties.
Who Are the Main Characters?
- David – He is the main character of the book. At first, he is a young boy without a name who feels alone.
- Boss – She is the woman who takes care of David. She feeds him, helps him, and gives him a name. She recently lost her adult son, Ben.
- Tex – He is the camp tender. He brings supplies to the camp and becomes a friend to David.
- Angie – She was Ben's wife. She teaches David how to write his name and gives him some of Ben's old clothes.
- Raidy – She is David's first friend. She dies in an accident involving a farm machine.
- Ben – He is Boss's son, who has passed away.
Awards the Book Won
- Newbery Honor in 1964.
