What is an American?

We're back with the Clark family of Vermont for a July read. Between 1947 and 1956, Vermonter Frances Frost wrote four "Windy Foot" books about a Vermont farm family that saw them around the year, starting at the late summer/early fall county fair, continuing at Christmas and in the spring, and ending on Independence Day. Read more about the Clarks in this post about Maple Sugar for Windy Foot.

As mentioned, I didn't know the fourth book in the series existed until a few years ago. Reading it today is half an exercise in nostalgia, but it's also still relevant to current events.

Toby and his younger sister come home on the last day of school excited: there is going to be an Independence Day parade in town and Betsy is going to be on a float honoring modern farm women with her bull calf Kris while Toby is going to be the flag-bearer in a recreation of the famous painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware. But Toby—who must be the most good-natured, friendliest kid in the world (unless you try to hurt Windy Foot)—has a bee in his bonnet: the eighth grade boy who was chosen to portray George Washington is an Italian boy who came to Vermont six years ago. His parents aren't even citizens, Toby protests, so why should he get to portray the First President of the United States? His family is disturbed by his attitude and his father tells him that until he thinks a little bit more about this business he won't be allowed to carry the flag in the parade. Toby is shocked, and even more shocked when all his friends think Pietro, the Italian boy, is a great choice.

As Toby helps his dad repair their house which was damaged in the spring by a flood, Jim Clark doesn't lecture Toby as they paint a room or even look at the stars together. He won't give him the answer; that would be too easy. Instead he asks Toby to think—with simply an occasional offhand question or remark that makes the boy rethink immigration and what makes an American. But when Pietro himself does the Clarks a kindness, can Toby use what he's learned to see the truth?

Fear not, the plot isn't all serious thought: there are band concerts, family fun, horse training, farm adventures, and a visit from Toby's best friend Tish Burnham. But it's Toby's revelation that makes this one special.