Product Description

In his debut novel, Richard Mason takes us back to 1944 Arkansas through the eyes of Richard, a twelve-year-old with a dream. The dream seems simple enough-to buy a red scarf for Rosalie, the prettiest girl in school. However, simply buying a scarf doesn't usually include skunks, bobcats, robbers, and a cast of eccentric characters such as Wing, the one-armed constable who swings a mean blackjack, and Bubba, a big man who wields an even bigger frying pan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86922 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 155 pages

Review
"I absolutely loved The Red Scarf!!! It's one of those rare works that anyone, no matter who, can read -- from a 12-year-old boy to an 84-year-old female, it has something for everyone. This is the best book I've read in awhile, and I could not put it down. I actually shed some tears over it, it was that good!" -- --Angela Cruz, Anchor/Producer/NBC 10 News Today

"I had a great time going back in time through the story. It was not unlike my childhood in the coal fields of Southern Illinois. It was a wonderful story of childhood and friendship as well as a reflection on what really is important, some glasses to help and old man read or a scarf to impress a girl. The story is a realistic look into the world of our adolescent years and the friendship of two boys. I hope the story will continue." -- --Dr. Lyndell P. Worthen, Pastor of First Baptist Church, El Dorado, Ark.

"I love it! It brings back many childhood memories of my growing up and spending time on my grandfather's farm." -- --U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Not classically a Christmas story, THE RED SCARF is a look at life in Arkansas in the fall of 1944. The reader meets a young Richard Mason. He is an eleven-year-old sixth-grader. His best friend is John Clayton. He has a dim-witted dog named Sniffer. And he lives in a small town with approximately 650 residents.

Richard has always had a crush on Rosalie. They've almost been boyfriend and girlfriend. But then Richard does something stupid, like any eleven-year-old boy would do. So to get back into her best graces, he decides he will buy her a Christmas present. Richard has it on the good authority of one of Rosalie's friends that the red scarf in Samples Department Store is just what Rosalie would love.

The only problem is that Richard doesn't have enough money to buy the scarf. At least not since his mom made him spend his paper route money on a new pair of shoes. But that doesn't deter Richard. He keeps getting up at 5am to deliver the newspapers to the townsfolk.

Taking place during the span between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, Richard tells the story of his efforts to buy the scarf for Rosalie. During the course of the month, the reader gets to experience Richard's daily life. The reader meets many interesting characters from the town of Norphlet. Among some of the most unique are Uncle Hugh, the old black man in the woods that Richard delivers groceries to every week; Bubba, the large cook at City Café, who's pretty daunting with a skillet; Curly Sawyer, the drunk constable; and many others. The reader also finds out about how accident-prone Richard can be. And the reader gets to experience the hardships on a family during the end of World War II.

Richard's spirit is pure and the story is infective. Mr. Mason weaves a sweet tale in spite of the hardships that his main character has to struggle with. As mentioned in the first sentence, this isn't a traditional Christmas story, but the spirit rings out for a joyous holiday season for everyone.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

Another time and place
The author has written an excellent Christmas story with a most unusual ending. The style of writing is reminiscent of Mark Twain and captures the readers attention from page one to the surprise ending.

The novel recounts the struggles and adventures of two young boys who are best friends in rural South Arkansas during the mid-forties. Despite all obstacles with which the boys are faced, they do have a very Merry Christmas.

This novel is excellent reading and I recommend it to all.

Read it out loud with your family!

We read this together out loud as a family (3 boys 13, 11, 7). The boys were rolling in the floor they were laughing so hard! (Mom and Dad were hee hawing as well) Mr. Mason makes you feel like you are right there in the thick of things. I could hardly read some chapters for crying through them but turn the page and he'd have you laughing again. I even read a chapter for my Cub Scouts at Pack Meeting and they were begging for more. Young and old everyone will love this book! We can hardly wait for his next book.