Book cover of The Education of Little Tree

Book description

This story has entranced readers of all ages since it was first published twenty-five years ago. The tale tells the story of a boy orphaned very young, who is adopted by his Cherokee grandmother and half-Cherokee grandfather in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee during the Great Depression. 'Little Tree' as…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Education of Little Tree as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Even though this book was published as nonfiction and later revealed as fiction, it immersed me in the Cherokee way of thinking and tapped into my emotions as few books ever have. The relationship between grandfather and grandson (Little Tree) had me wishing for a Cherokee mentor in my youth.

I’ve heard many people name this book as their favorite of all time. It is interesting to read it now with the full knowledge of the author’s racist background. That he could produce such a book is one of the great literary paradoxes of the 20th century.

If you love The Education of Little Tree...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like The Education of Little Tree?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 70 books like The Education of Little Tree.

Browse books like The Education of Little Tree

Book cover of The Water Is Wide: A Memoir
Book cover of Centennial
Book cover of When the Legends Die

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Education of Little Tree, you might also like...

Book cover of Pioneer Paddles of the Colonial South

Pioneer Paddles of the Colonial South by William D. Auman,

Award-winning novelist William Auman, author of If Trees Could Testify..., takes the reader on a time-traveling odyssey featuring 345 bodies of water in six states within the historical context through which they unfold.

Journey into remaining Colonial-era wilderness with stories of pirate treasure, epic frontiersmen, Indigenous Peoples, and Revolutionary…

Book cover of A Winter's Disgrace

A Winter's Disgrace by Kathleen Buckley,

Cyprian, a marquess’s heir, will not let his mother choose his next bride. Leaving a house party in a blizzard to avoid her stratagems, he finds a woman trudging half frozen toward the London road. Rosamund fled disgrace, hoping to reach the one person who might shelter her, but even…

5 book lists we think you will like!