Who is Cracker Boy?

The book, Cracker Boy, is a story about a young boy who grew up in mid- Florida. “Cracker” is the term used to identify rural folk who were usually poor and illiterate, struggling to make a living in difficult times. The term “cowboy” was never used to depict men on horses who rounded up cattle. Rather, they were called “cow hunters.” They were known for their proficiency in cracking their whips and many were known to kill rattlesnakes with their skill. In time, the term “Cracker” was used to describe rural Floridians, a term endeared to old-timers who are proud of their heritage.

The young lad in the book, Cracker Boy, uses a dialect common to rural Florida in the early 1900s. He fulfills the common image of a genuine Florida Cracker caught up in the transition to a new way of life.

Posted on 06/06

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About

Jim, a fourth generation Floridian, is the author of seven books and has contributed to numerous magazines such as Florida Wildlife, Nature Photographer, Florida Gardening, Tide, Birds and Blooms, Butterfly Gardener, American Butterflies, and others. He was a columnist for a local newspaper, The Observer, for six years and is an active member of The Florida Writers Association.