Fathers and Sons

These three works, considered by many to be the author's finest short stories, tell of childhood encounters with his estranged father, the school bully, and an eccentric old maid cousin. A Christmas Memory is also avaliable on video.

In 1998, Frank Schaeffer was a successful novelist living in "Volvo-driving, higher-education worshipping" Massachusetts with two children graduated from top universities. Then his youngest child, straight out of high school, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Written in alternating voices by eighteen-year-old John and his father, Frank, Keeping Faith takes readers in riveting fashion through a family’s experience of the U.S. Marine Corps.

It was a terrific movie. It's an even better book. Norman Maclean's tale of his family's estrangement and coming together ripples along, as sure and memorable as the Blackfoot River.

When World War II comes to San Diego, eleven-year-old Foster must say good-bye to his big brother who is going to fight one kind of war while Foster remains behind to face his father's rage and try to help the war effort as best he can.

When four-year-old Susie treats her father to a series of special activities for Father's Day, they just happen to be all of her own favorite things.

Suggested for ages 3 - 6

A deaf boy and his father share a special time as they watch the sun rise at the beach.

Suggested for ages 4 - 8

A young doodlebug describes how he and his father are alike and the things they enjoy doing together.

Suggested for ages 3 - 6

Desta's father, who needs to return briefly to his Ethiopian homeland, describes what it was like for him to grow up there.

Suggested for ages 5 - 8

Abe will miss his father when he takes off on a business trip but is reassured of his return in two weeks, when the crescent moon becomes full.

Suggested for ages 3 - 7