Mountain Born (Mountain Born #1)
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
Wolves, weather, a black lamb, a trusty dog—all are part of Peter’s life on a mountain farm. His best friend is Benji, a wise old shepherd, and Benj teaches Peter to care for the sprightly lamb that becomes his special pet, his cosset. As Biddy grows into her place as leader of the flock, Peter grows too, learning the skills and joys of the shepherd’s life. Mountain Born is a Newbery Honor Book.
The novel, illustrated by Nora Spicer Unwin, was first published in 1943 by Coward-McCann and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1944.
Reviews with the most likes.
The lamb must be dead, it seemed, but the old sheepherder, Benj, tried some things he'd learned from his many years with sheep, and the baby lamb stirred. This lamb, Biddy, became the responsibility of young Peter, and he cared for his cosset well. Biddy and Peter grew up together, Biddy to become the leader of the sheep, and Peter, a strong young man.
It's a simple story of a simple life, and it's filled with the deep wisdom that comes from a life caring for sheep.
One of my favorite parts of the story was when Peter had to leave Biddy in the pasture with the others. Biddy bleated as he returned to the house, calling to him, and Peter kept turning back to look at Biddy. Benj advised Peter not to look back, but Peter insisted on continuing to turn back toward his cosset. “I don't care for anything but my cosset,” Peter said stubbornly. Benj wisely told Peter, “There are many things in the world. If we care for them all a little we won't feel the hurt too much when we part with one.”
A 1944 Newbery Honor Book.
