Education of Little Tree Book

Within the first three pages I fell in love with our four year old narrator, whose grandfather called Little Tree. His relationships with his grandparents reminded me so much of mine, it was hard not to identify with that even though his Cherokee culture was of course different. Still, the love, the knowledge, the ways shown to live were in many ways, different but the same. So Little Tree learns from his grandparents the way of the Indian and how to navigate the world of the white man. Loved watching him learn, change and grow. Of course there is sadness, the white world trying to encroach on the Indian ways, but also he knows he is loved.

I knew nothing about this author when I read this book. Only after reading and reading other reviews did I learn about this author's shaded and terrible past. So does one judge this book by its author? I usually think that learning about an author often adds nuances to their books, that are usually passed over. Since an author puts his heart and soul into their stories, there is always something there identifiably the authors own, whether opinions, or memories. So...... Can people change? Going by this book I can't believe the same man who wrote this book was the same man as that of his earlier years. So I was conflicted and decided to judge this book on its own merits rather than judging the authors life. Others may not feel so but that is up to them. I enjoyed this book, enjoyed the story so that is how I will rate it.