Books published by publisher Jesse Stuart Foundation

The thirty-four stories in this collection, selected from Stuart's 460 published stories, reveal the variety and range of his fictional world. Some reflect the wonder of growing up, while others portray the comedy and tragedy in the lives of the strong, rough-hewn characters of his world. Running through most of them like a golden thread is Stuart's celebration of the strength and affirmative view of life of his people, and their love for the land. Stuart's own love for the land and its rhythms of life also comes through clearly.

This is a collection of folk tales, or stories based on traditional tales which originated in the Old World before America became a nation. They came to this country in the memories of the settlers and were passed on to younger generations through the oral tradition. However, as the immigrants to America began to change and develop into Americans, so did the characters in the folk tales.

Fact and fiction from a colorful era of America's past. The first part of the book is the story of a boy living in eastern Kentucky during the 40s who develops a friendship with Huey the train engineer. Sunny Logan longingly watches Huey drive the train day after day, wishing to know what was beyond his home in Clearwater Valley. One day Huey stops the train and invites Sunny to ride to the end of the line. ”Even in Sunny’s wildest dreams he could not imagine the excitement that was to follow”The second part of the book is a factual account of the Eastern Kentucky railway.

The thirty-four stories in this collection, selected from Stuart's 460 published stories, reveal the variety and range of his fictional world. Some reflect the wonder of growing up, while others portray the comedy and tragedy in the lives of the strong, rough-hewn characters of his world. Running through most of them like a golden thread is Staurt's celebration of the strength and affirmative view of life of his people, and their love for the land. Stuart's own love for the land and its rhythyms of life also comes through clearly.