Book Description
After Nathaniel's leg is crushed in an accident, his father brings home an orphan boy, John Worth, to help work the fields. Worth has come to Nebraska from New York City on the Orphan Train, which brings homeless children west to find new lives.
Nathaniel feels increasingly jealous of the boy who has taken over not only his work but the attention of his father, who has barely spoken to him since his injury. In school for the first time he is far behind even his youngest classmates, and he feels as useless there as he does at home.
Meanwhile, Worth is still grieving for his family and his old life. As the farm chores prevent him from going to school, he also resents losing his dream of an education and a good job. And for all the work he does, he knows he will never inherit the farm that he's helping to save.
But a battle between ranchers and farmers -- and a book of Greek mythology that Nathaniel reads aloud each evening -- forges a connection between the two boys, who begin to discover that maybe there is enough room on the farm, and in the family, for both of them.
A. LaFaye's dynamic portrayal of two boys longing for something they no longer have -- and finding the resources to face the future -- offers a fresh perspective on the thousands of children who moved west via the Orphan Trains in the late nineteenth century.
- EXCELLANT-Wishing for Sequels!!!!! (5)
My daughter who is in 4th grade, read 'WORTH' for her book report. She read the book aloud before bed every night for 20 minutes. I was intrigued and couldnt wait every night to hear the book! After she did her oral book report in class, 2 other children wanted to read this book. I also read it right after reading Kite runner.....and have to say, THIS BOOK is EXCELLANT!!! Excellant character building, I only wish for Sequels!!!! Also, please write a sequel starting further back....more about the original families....!!
Thanks! - Worth (2)
I would give the book i read, two stars. The book, overall, was pretty decent but confusing. I would not recommend anyone under the age of 12, my age, to read this book. I am a good reader and it was hard for me to understand.
The book was about a boy who hurt his leg so his parents had to get a farm boy to help around the farm. There were parts of the book where i just didn't get it, then i would get all off track of the whole story. I guess you will have to read it yourself and see if you agree with my opinion, and my opinion is not a good one. - Worth (4)
I gave this book 4* because, some parts were a little off. This book is about two boys named Nathaniel and John Worth. Nate lives on a farm with his family. Nate loved to work on the farm, until one day there was a thunder storm and nate got hit on the leg with a strike of lightning.
That is where john comes in. John is a city boy and comes to work on the farm with Nate, Nate and John DO NOT get along! But they have to live under the same roof! see how his story ends, and get this book today! - Worth (2)
This book was well written, but very confusing at points. The book rarely described the characters and when they did it was done poorly. In the end I still didn't get a good picture in my head of what Nate or John looked like. Overall I give this 2 stars, and do not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 12. If I could change/add something I would've been more descriptive about the main characters. - Worth (2)
The book I read was called Worth. I would give this book 2 stars. I didn't enjoy reading this book because I thought the story was poorly written, and the author didn't put enough description in what the people looked like. It was also confusing. One thing I did like about was that the author put a lot of thought, and told what the people were doing and how they felt. I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 12. The story was about a boy named Nate. He hurt his leg and he couldn't help his father on the farm anymore. The family had to get a orphan boy so the work would get done around the farm. This is my opinion about the book but you will have to read the story yourself to find out weather or not you like the book.