Ben Stone at Oakdale

"Ben Stone at Oakdale" by Morgan Scott is a classic tale of a young boy's journey to overcome adversity and find his place in the world. Ben Stone arrives at Oakdale Academy carrying the weight of his family's troubled history and quickly finds himself facing the scorn of a former enemy, a privileged classmate named Bernard Hayden. The book explores themes of social class, forgiveness, and standing up for what's right, all through the experiences of Ben as he adjusts to a new school, deals with bullies, and grapples with acceptance among his peers. Despite the challenges, glimmers of kindness shine through when Ben finds friendship with the widow Mrs. Jones and her son, Jimmy, and when his bravery demonstrates his true character, offering a chance for reconciliation, and a new perspective to his community.