Carter, Forrest. The education of Little Tree

Carter, Forrest. The education of Little Tree. University of New Mexico, 1976 [0-82632809-1]
This book takes place in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee during the depression of the 1930's. Little Tree is a Cherokee orphan who is adopted by his grandparents. In the mountains he learns to hunt and live the "Cherokee Way. He also learns the cruelty of the white people toward them who eventually take him away from his grandparents and send him to an orphanage. This 216 is not a quick read but is a warm and touching story of a family caring deeply for each other and their way of life. Unfortunately, there is some controversy surrounding this book. It originally was marketed at autobiographical (which it is not.) Also, the "Cherokee Way" as described in the book, is far from accurate according to some. I purchased this book because one of our sixth grade teachers requested it after seeing it on a list of suggested readings in their textbook.