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42 pages 1 hour read

The Education of Little Tree

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1976

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Book Brief

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Forrest Carter

The Education of Little Tree

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1976
Book Details
Pages

228

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Tennessee Mountains • Great Depression

Publication Year

1976

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

890L

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Super Short Summary

The Education of Little Tree follows a young boy named Little Tree, who moves to the Tennessee mountains to live with his Cherokee grandparents after his mother’s death. They teach him about nature, cultural heritage, and survival skills through various experiences, including farming, fishing, and whiskey-making. The narrative includes sensitive topics such as racial prejudice and the loss of loved ones.

Heartwarming

Nostalgic

Inspirational

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.4

19,098 ratings

79%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter offers a vivid portrayal of a young boy’s experiences growing up with his Cherokee grandparents in the 1930s. Praised for its heartfelt narrative and cultural insights, it has also faced criticism for historical inaccuracies and the author's controversial background. The book remains divisive yet impactful in its storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Education of Little Tree?

Readers who cherish heartfelt coming-of-age stories with rich cultural themes will enjoy The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter. Fans of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Wilson Rawls’s Where the Red Fern Grows will appreciate its themes of innocence, nature, and the deep bond between a young boy and his grandparents.

4.4

19,098 ratings

79%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Little Tree

The protagonist and narrator of the story, Little Tree is a curious young boy experiencing life with his grandparents in the mountains as he learns about nature and gains traditional education from them.

Little Tree's grandfather, a wise figure knowledgeable about the natural world, who provides guidance on living in harmony with nature through his stories and experiences.

Little Tree's grandmother, who complements his education with reading and social lessons, encouraging him to learn from books and dictionaries.

Book Details
Pages

228

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Tennessee Mountains • Great Depression

Publication Year

1976

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

890L

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