Little Klein Book

"A lovely coming-of-age tale filled with humor and pathos and unexpected twists...The characters are quirky, eccentric, and lovable." — Kirkus Reviews

Harold "Little" Klein can’t seem to measure up. Surrounded by the "Bigs," his boisterous gang of older brothers, and the bustling, bighearted Mother Klein, Harold often feels little and left out — until the day a stray dog named LeRoy becomes his inseparable companion. Join a cast of colorful characters in a rural river town circa 1949, where boys wrestle and fish, swipe pies, ride perilous waters on homemade rafts, and sometimes quietly become heroes.

VOYA

Harold Sylvester George Klein, better known as Little Klein, is the youngest of four boys. Unusually small for his age, this wee-bit of a nine-year-old yearns to find a voice and be his own person, but Little Klein is no match for his burly, overprotective brothers-the Bigs-or his coddling mother, Esther. When Little Klein meets LeRoy, a stray dog who adopts Little as "his boy," the two become inseparable. Every summer day becomes an adventure, from simply taking a walk into town to buy stamps to fishing for the legendary Minister, an extraordinary catfish at the river's edge. The duo embarks upon their greatest adventure toward the end of the summer when Harold Klein triumphs by finally finding his voice among the Bigs. This winning boy-meets-dog story will capture its readers' hearts-middle, junior, and senior high school students alike. Ylvisaker's pleasing text is rich with wit and flows seamlessly; her knack for capturing a character's essence is remarkable. Set in a small Midwestern town during the 1940s, this heartwarming tale flawlessly depicts the rhythms of a bygone era. Each little chapter offers a wonderfully engaging adventure. Little Klein's mighty imagination that fills each of his summer days is captivating and timeless. LeRoy's portrayal is superlative, and readers will find him to be irresistible. Reviewer: Domina Daughtrey