54 pages 1 hour read

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

The Yearling

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1938

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' The Yearling narrates a year in the life of Jody Baxter, living in 1870s northern Florida, as his family faces floods, plague, and death while he forms a tender relationship with an orphaned fawn named Flag. Jody learns to navigate hardship, responsibility, and loss, reflecting the harsh realities of rural life and the process of coming of age. Instances of animal mistreatment, and a mention of child death occur in this book.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Reviews for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' The Yearling reflect both admiration and critique. Praised for its vivid depiction of rural life and emotional depth, the novel captures readers' hearts. However, some find its pacing slow and certain themes outdated. Overall, its storytelling and character development receive commendation despite these minor drawbacks.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Yearling?

A reader who would enjoy The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings likely cherishes coming-of-age tales set in nature-rich environments. Similar to fans of Wilson Rawls’ Where the Red Fern Grows and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, they appreciate emotional depth, family dynamics, and life’s hardships interwoven with the beauty of the natural world.

RecommendedReading Age

12-18years

Lexile Level

750L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Classic Fiction

Topics

Animals

Agriculture

Grief / Death

Themes

Natural World: Animals

Relationships: Fathers

Relationships: Daughters & Sons