Catty Atkins

"Catty Atkins" by Clarence Budington Kelland is about a young boy named Catty and his dad, who live a wandering life in a little town where they are looked down upon. Because people call them "shiftless," the story looks at themes such as fitting in, how society sees people, and figuring out who you are. At first, Catty is just a kid with a new rifle, trying to make a shot, symbolizing his early struggles and naivety, and is also seen meeting another boy. The story quickly reveals there is a playful father-son relationship with Catty and his dad, even if the father's ideas about life aren't quite right. As they deal with being judged and even being kicked out of the town by the marshal, Catty's ambition to demonstrate their value and build a life respected by the community shapes their path as they learn to adapt and discover their place in the world.