by Jack Schaefer
illustrated by Harold West
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: S
Where to find this book: Boston Public Library
Old Ramon is a shepherd with a crooked nose (it was probably broken at some point) and a knife cut scar on one edge of his mouth. He has clearly learned some hard lessons throughout his long life. He has learned about true friendship, the (lack of) intelligence of sheep, the value of a smart sheep dog, and his connection to the natural world of the Mojave Desert. He has cared for many herds of sheep in his long life.
In this book, Old Ramon and a boy drive a herd of sheep across the desert toward the fertile mountains beyond. The sheep are owned by the boy's father, for whom Old Ramon works. During their journey, Ramon shares with the boy his wisdom about life, nature, and sheep. Several sheep nearly drown while crossing a river, only to be rescued by Ramon. They encounter rattlesnakes, wolves, and a blinding sandstorm before reaching the mountain pastures.
The main reason I liked this book was its descriptions of the natural scenery of the Mojave Desert in California and the ways that Ramon and the boy had to accommodate themselves and the sheep to it. One of my favorite quotes from the book is Old Ramon speaking: "I do not see how a man can be lonely when the good God's world is open around him, when there is the sun that shines by day and the stars that look down by night and the wind that blows and the mountains that watch all and everything and the grass that grows, when there are the sheep that need him to care for them and the dogs to help him and Don Coyote to call him names and the owl to ask him questions from hidden places..." That quote perfectly captures the mood of this book. I recommend Old Ramon for readers who enjoy reading about nature, dogs, and friendship.
