Boy Life Stories and Readings Selected From The Works of William Dean Howells

"Boy Life" by William Dean Howells is a collection of his stories and readings picked for kids in elementary school in the olden days. The book shares the fun and hard times of boys growing up in a small American town. We see kids like Pony Baker and Jim Leonard getting into trouble, making friends, and learning about themselves. One story starts with Pony Baker thinking about running off to join the circus after a fuss with his mom, showing how kids can feel happy, naughty, and want to be free, all while loving their families. As the circus gets closer, Pony gets more excited and can't decide if he should stay or go, mirroring the tough choices childern wrestle with as they mature. As Pony plays with his buddies and discovers the world, the stories make us remember our own childhood and the freedom it brought.