Arley
Although Arly Poole seems bound to follow in his father's footsteps as a field worker in
Jailtown, Florida, where his family lives in 1927 in the shadow of a cruel boss, his world
suddenly seems larger when a schoolteacher comes to town.
Walker, 1989.
Arly's
Run
Arly, an orphan in search of a home and a family, escapes from a
brutal migrant labor camp, joins a traveling religious show, and battles a devastating
Florida hurricane.
Walker, 1991.
Banjo
While doing research for a school essay about a reclusive old mountain man, two boys fall
into an abandoned mine shaft from which only the old man can rescue them. Illustrated by
Andrew Glass.
Knopf, 1982.
Basket Case
Higbee Hartburn, Graffiti Prep's foremost prankster, goes to great lengths to provide the
school with a victorious basketball team.
Doubleday, 1979.
Bee Tree and Other
Stuff
More than prose and poetry, it is the lyric and tune of a family and a farm. Illustrated by
Laura Lydecker. Walker, 1975.
Bro
Florida: 1933. A train, rushing
through the night ... a car, stalled in its path ... a boy's life,
shattered. Tugwell Dockery hasn't spoken since the horrific events that
unfolded one afternoon six years ago at his grandfather's ranch. Now he's
back there, newly orphaned, living with his grandfather and gutsy
great-aunt. Broda Joe Dockery hasn't seen his brother since his
incarceration two years ago at the Pecan County Correctional Labor Camp.
Now, realizing Tug must live at the site of a tragedy he witnessed, Broda
Joe knows he must be with his brother, even if it means breaking the law and
risking his life. Robert Newton Peck writes of grit and courage, and
the steel-strong bonds that unite families and endure beyond life itself.
Harper
Collins, 2004, 160 pp., ISBN: 0060529741
Clunie
A teenage boy risks his own popularity to give friendship and support to a retarded girl
who is harassed by her classmates.
Knopf, 1979.
Cowboy Ghost
Growing up without a mother and with an aloof father on a cattle ranch in Florida in the
first part of the 1900s has made Titus very close to his older brother, Micah, and
determined to make Micah proud of him when the two go on their first cattle drive
together.
Harper Collins, 1999.
A Day No Pigs Would Die
To a thirteen-year-old Vermont farm boy whose father slaughters pigs for a living,
maturity comes early as he learns "doing what's got to be done," especially
regarding his pet pig who cannot produce a litter.
Knopf, 1972.
Dukes
An unlikely trio of a deaf-mute Black fighter, his elderly manager, and a young orphan
girl travel the Florida countryside putting on fight shows.
Pineapple Press, 1884.
Eagle Fur
A story about Abbott Coe, 16-year-old orphan boy, set in the wilds of Canada in 1754 as
the French and Indian War brewed across North America.
Knopf, 1978.
Extra
Innings
A humorous and heartwarming story of how yesterday's baseball diamonds help
to mend the crushed leg and battered spirit of Tate Stonemason, a young
athlete.
Harper Collins, 2001.
Fawn
At the time of the Battle of Ticonderoga in 1758, an Indian boy, the son of a Jesuit
priest, observes the savagery of the French, English, and Indians, and tries to save his
father from what could be a terrible fate. Little Brown, 1975.
Hallapossa
In a novel of extraordinary beauty and humanity, the author of A Day No Pigs Would Die
re-creates a small town in Florida during the Depression and brings to vivid life the
varied human beings who populate it.
Walker, 1988.
Hamilton
A pig's tremendous appetite proves useful when a wolf invades the barnyard. Illustrated by
Laura Lydecker. Walker, 1976.
Hang For Treason
The setting is Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, at a time when tensions ran high between American
patriots and British loyalists A young American boy joins Ethan Allen's Green Mountain
Boys despite the fact that his Father is a Tory.
Doubleday, 1976.
Higbee's Halloween
Life in quiet Clod's Corners changes drastically for Higbee and his best friend Quincy
when the very nasty Striker kids move in and Higbee decides to make them the target of a
grand Halloween prank.
Walker, 1990.
Horse Thief
After losing two fingers in his first bull ride, Tullis Yoder, age
seventeen, worries that he'll never have a chance to top another bull.
Then the rodeo show he works for goes belly-up broke, and he learns that its
thirteen horses - his only family - will be slaughtered for dog food.
With the help of a lady doctor and an aging, card-cheating, dice-rolling
horse thief (momentarily in jail), Tullis steals his beloved rodeo
horses. They travel by night, pursued by crooks, three sheriffs, a
powerful judge, and a pretty girl. A rough and rowdy case and a 1938
rural setting add grit and gusto to a fast-moving adventure...
The Horse Hunters
In 1932 in Florida, despite his older brother's objections, fifteen-year-old Ladd finds
himself, through a series of unforeseen circumstances, traveling alone more than 100 miles
to bring back wild horses for the rodeo and for breeding.
Random House, 1988.
Hub
When their teacher enters the annual Chump's Landing Overland Obstacle Bicycle Race,
Horrace Hubert and his best friend Spooner Jitwell do everything they can to make sure she
wins the silver trophy. Illustrated by Ted Lewin.
Knopf, 1979.
Jo Silver
Sixteen-year-old Kenny's hike through the Adirondacks in search of a writer at Lost Pond
becomes a fight for survival as he realizes he is not alone in the hostile wilderness.
Pineapple Press, 1975.
Justice Lion
Fifteen-year-old Muncie Bolt thinks he's lost Hem Lion's friendship forever when his
father prosecutes Hem's father for operating a still in Liberty, Vermont during the days
of prohibition.
Little Brown, 1981.
Kirk's Law
A rugged life-style in the Vermont woods with a feisty old hunter called Wishbone Kirk
develops the character of a 15-year-old boy.
Doubleday, 1981.
Last Sunday
Twelve-year-old mascot Babe helps her aging friend and pitcher Sober McGinty arrive in
time for the antics at Durkee's Lot when two local teams meet for the biggest game of the
season. Illustrated by Ben Stahl. Doubleday, 1977.
Little Soup's Birthday
A freak snowstorm almost keeps Rob and his best friend Soup from celebrating Soup's ninth
birthday, but the boys' ingenuity makes the party a success.
Dell, 1991.
Little Soup's Bunny
Easter is on the way and Soup and Rob are ready. They have a baby rabbit named Bucky who
loves to eat carrots, and they are dyeing Easter eggs (and Rob's foot). But putting all
your eggs in one basket can lead to trouble. Messy, yellow, smelly trouble!
Dell, 1993.
Little Soup's Hayride
Soup and his best pal, Rob are planning to go on a hayride. Rob hopes it's going to be an
ordinary hayride, but he should know better when Soup is in charge. There's no stopping
the boys as they fly into action.
Dell, 1991.
Little Soup's Turkey
Thanksgiving is coming, and Soup and Rob can't wait to perform in the school's holiday
play, but mix together a fifty pound turkey, seven sacks of mystery corn, a hot stove, and
two stagestruck boys, and what you get is a lot of trouble.
Dell, 1992.
Millie's Boy
A novel that begins with a murder on a cold Vermont night. The story of a boy's search for
his mother's killer and for his own identity.
Knopf, 1973.
Mr. Little
Greatly disappointed that the celebrated Miss K will not be their teacher, Finley Streeter
and Stanley Dragavich pull pranks on the new teacher in their small town. Illustrated by
Ben Stahl.
Doubleday, 1979.
Nine Man Tree
In Depression-era Florida, young Yoolee assumes the responsibility of protecting his
family from an unspeakable horror stalking the swamplands.
Random House, 1998.
A Part of the Sky
After the death of his father, thirteen-year-old Rob Peck struggles to take charge of the
family's small Vermont farm in the face of the financial hardships of the Depression, in
the poignant sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die. Knopf/Random House, 1994.
Patooie
A bishop's wife and a used-car salesman compete in a watermelon seed-spitting contest.
Illustrated by Ted Lewin.
Knopf, 1977.
Rabbits and Redcoats
In May 1775 two boys participate in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and the
Green Mountain Boys and befriend a young British soldier. Illustrated by Laura Lydecker.
Walker, 1976.
The Seminole Seed
Set in modern Florida, this is a story about Kirby Tree, a young, talented tennis player.
Kirby is the son of Flower Tree, a beautiful unwed Seminole who died in child-birth. He's
raised in the traditional way in the Florida swamp by his grandfather and his devoted
uncle Little Man Tree.
Pineapple Press, 1983.
Soup
Rural Vermont during the 1920s is the setting for this nostalgic (series) of episodes in
the lives of young Rob Peck and his pal, Soup. Soup is the first book in the series.
Illustrated by Charles Gehm.
Knopf, 1974.
Soup 1776
In May 1775 two boys participate in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and the
Green Mountain Boys and befriend a young British soldier.
Knopf/Random House, 1995.
Soup Ahoy
A radio contest, the impending visit of actor Sinker O. Sailor to their small Vermont
town, and rumors of a black pearl in Wet Lake spur Soup and Rob on to a spectacular
nautical disaster.
Delacorte, 1994.
Soup & Me
The further adventures and misadventures of Rob and Soup, two boys growing up in a small
Vermont town. Illustrated by Charles Lilly.
Knopf, 1975.
Soup for President
Rob manages Soup's campaign for class president in their small Vermont town. Illustrated
by Ted Lewin.
Knopf, 1978.
Soup in Love
As Valentine's Day approaches their Vermont town of Learning, Soup and Rob experience
several forms of love. Delacorte, 1992.
Soup in the Saddle
Anticipating the celebration of Miss Kelly Day in honor of the teacher of their one-room
school in Learning, Vermont, Soup and Rob save the day from certain catastrophe at the
hands of Dr. Elsa Pinkerton Uppit. Illustrated by Charles Robinson.
Knopf, 1983.
Soup on Fire
Rob and Soup set in motion a wild scheme to catch the eye of the Hollywood talent scout
visiting their small Vermont town. Illustrated by Charles Robinson.
Delacorte, 1987.
Soup on Ice
Rob and Soup engineer an incredible appearance by Santa and his sleigh in their small
Vermont town. Illustrated by Charles Robinson.
Knopf, 1985.
Soup on Wheels
Rob and Soup vie for the prize in their town's "Vermont Mardy Grah." Illustrated
by Charles Robinson.
Knopf, 1981.
Soup's Drum
Rob totes Soup's huge drum through the Fourth of July parade before he realizes Soup
hasn't carried his share. Before the close of the celebration Rob gets even. Illustrated
by Charles Robinson.
Knopf, 1980.
Soup's
Goat
Clean and tidy cousin Sexton lends his unusual talent to Soup and Rob as they engage in
the town's goat-cart race. Illustrated by Charles Robinson.
Knopf, 1984.
Soup's Hoop
Soup's crazy plan to help his town's basketball team to victory includes constructing a
musical instrument called a spitzentootle and snaring the evil Janice Riker in an
unpleasant trap. Illustrated by Charles Robinson. Delacorte, 1990.
Soup's Uncle
A visit from Uncle Virus and his motorcycle gang stimulates Soup to new and ingenious
schemes, involving a cache of moonshine, a motorcycle competition, and revenge on the
dreaded Janice Riker. Illustrated by Charles Robinson.
Delacorte, 1988.
Spanish Hoof
The year she turns twelve on Spanish Hoof, her family's beloved ranch in Florida, Harry
gets a pony and learns some hard lessons about life.
Knopf, 1985.
Trig
A young girl living on a Vermont farm relates the events of the day her uncle brought her
a genuine "Junior G-man machine gun." Illustrated by Pamela Johnson.
Little, Brown, 1977.
Trig Goes Ape
Trig gets in on an uproarious melee when Buck Fargo's Wild Ape and Monkey Show comes to
town. Illustrated by Pamela Johnson.
Little, Brown, 1980.
Trig or Treat
Assisted by her friends costumed as Samson and Gideon, frecklefaced Trig masquerades as
the seductive Delilah for the church Halloween costume pageant. Illustrated by Pamela
Johnson.
Little, Brown, 1982.
Trig Sees Red
An official Junior G-man takes matters into her own hands when Clodburg's only uniformed
policeman is replaced by a traffic light. Illustrated by Pamela Johnson.
Little, Brown, 1978.
Wildcat
Follows the activities and adventures of a wild city cat from her birth until she mates
and produces a litter of her own. Illustrated by Hal Frenck.
Holiday House, 1975.
Non
Fiction by Robert Newton Peck |
HOW to Write
Fiction Like a Pro - A Simple-to-Savvy Toolkit for Aspiring Authors
In HOW to Write Fiction Like a Pro: A Simple-to-Savvy Toolkit for
Aspiring Authors, provides emerging writers with the power tools they
need to start building their own books. Readers will learn everything from
pacing a story and writing dialogue that flows to molding the tangible
"stuff" of life into the characters and storylines of fiction.
HOW is written in the
straightforward, earthy, and humorous voice that fans of Rob's fiction have
come to know and love. Informative but not preachy, HOW's
lighthearted style immediately engages readers, inspiring them to take up
the tools and write from their own lives and their own strengths.
Learning isn't a load. It's laughter.
Aspiring authors are sure to learn-- and
laugh-- as they discover HOW to Write Fiction Like a Pro.
Maupin House, 2006
Weeds
in Bloom: Autobiography of an Ordinary Man
With over 65 books to his name,
including the classic A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton Peck has
enjoyed an illustrious writing career. Now, in an autobiography as
unique as he is, Peck tells his story through the people who've shaped his
life: a nameless man who shovels coal for the freight train, a farrier with
a penchant for early breakfasts, a homeless boy who learns to play piano by
ear, a grizzled backwoodsman, a panther-hunting Seminole, a Jamaican
sugar-cane cutter. Rough-cut and unpolished, they are what Peck would
call plain folk, the country's poor and uneducated.
In this extraordinary autobiography of
a self-proclaimed ordinary man, Robert Newton Peck gifts us with a treasury
of quiet wisdom and humble understanding. It is a rare glimpse not
only into the author's life but also into the lives of those who too often
go unseen and unheard.
Random House, 2005.
My Vermont II
Prose and poetry of Peck's farm life, plus humor, bits
and pieces.
Peck Press, 1988.
My Vermont
Prose and poetry of Peck's farm life, plus humor, bits
and pieces.
Peck Press, 1985.
Fiction is Folks: How
to Create Unforgettable Characters
Its purpose is to convince you that it is not
plot, but character that makes your story glisten. It will show you chapter by chapter,
how to flip over a rock and find folks for your fiction.
Writer's Digest Books, 1983.
Secrets of Successful
Fiction: A Fun-to-Read, Easy-to-Master Toolkit for Writers of All Ages
Primarily a book on style. Several chapters touch on characters and how they work for you.
Writer's Digest Books, 1980.
Path of Hunters:
Animal Struggle in a Meadow
Describes the behavior of a variety of common field, wood, and water animals emphasizing
their interdependency for survival. Illustrated by Betty Fraser.
Knopf, 1973.
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