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.
Recent Books
Blood in the Sand
Blood in the Sand tells the story of a charter boat captain who goes with his writing group for a retreat on an island in the Gulf of Mexico. One of the members is murdered and the protagonist becomes a sleuth and ultimately solves the murder.
The Seeds of Summer
The Seeds of Summer is a story about the struggles of Molly and her three sons who live on a farm in rural Central Florida during the Great Depression. After the death of her husband, she marries Bartho who is an abusive husband.
Florida Alligators
Florida Alligators offers a look at Florida's past when alligators were slaughtered needlessly and offers a glimpse into their present status.
Florida Adventure Stories
Florida Adventure Stories contains 16 stories filled with exciting adventures that are based on historical facts.
Books
- Blood in the Sand
- Cracker Boy
- Ellenton: Its Early Years
- Florida Adventure Stories
- Florida Alligators
- Florida and World War II: A Personal Recollection
- Gardening for the Soul
- Glimpses of Florida’s Past
- More Glimpses of Florida’s Past
- Images of America: Manatee County
- The Seeds of Summer
- Troubled Waters