Hunting and Fishing — Margaret McCulloch

Charlie McCain lives on his grandpa's farm with a religious and superstitious mama, who believes in ghosts; and tattling little sister, Lucy. Grandpa, who lives next door, is understanding and kind. Charlie likes to hunt and fish with Rocky, his best friend and neighbor. When Charlie finds a beautiful stray Lab with eight puppies in the barn, he is afraid to tell his mama, because she does not like dogs. She, somehow, associates dogs with the BB gun that blinded her in one eye as a child. After Lucy tattles about the Lab, Charlie convinces his mama to let him keep one puppy. Daisy is beautiful, smart and a prize hunting dog. The Adventures of Charlie, Rocky, and Daisy carry readers across the South Georgia woodlands, swamp, creek, and ponds where they hunt for deer, wild hogs, doves, raccoons, and ducks. They also ride in their hand-made boat down the Ocmulgee River with the unwanted company of little sister, Lucy, to catch the prize fish of their dreams; but their catch is not worth the trouble they face with Mrs. McCain and the law. Then Daisy's heroic act makes a happy ending. One of the most interesting stories about hunting is the Prize Buck that Charlie dreams about killing, but his dream turns into a disaster when Daisy digs out of her pen and chases the deer he and Rocky want to kill. Warden Brown fines them and the State patrol chases them. Grandpa comes to their rescue, and Mrs. McCain's clever plan settles their dispute with Warden Brown. Three other stories are the Wild Boar, a dangerous adventure in Gum Swamp; the Dove Shoot that teaches them the skills needed to kill doves; and the Duck Hunt, which is Daisy's favorite adventure. Still another interesting story about hunting is the Ghost Stream, where they chase a raccoon they call Slicker. A singing tree at Ghost Stream spooks Daisy, and slicker escapes. The mention of Ghost Stream gets Mrs. McCain's attention. Lucy takes her mama's stories about ghosts seriously, and her ordeal with ghosts makes reading fun. Will they solve the mystery of Ghost Stream? In addition to hunting and fishing, Charlie and Rocky's trip to the state fair is exciting but leaves them stranded in the city, and gets them into trouble with their parents and the law. Then the reader relates to Charlie's fear when a Rattle Snake confronts him; the ending reveals why Charlie questions his mama's superstitious and religious beliefs. Another story that holds the readers interest and teaches Charlie a lesson is the Birthday Surprise. When Charlie forgets his mama's birthday, he gives her one of Daisy's new born puppies, but this unwanted present makes matters worse. Then Lucy makes a Regretful Wish for Daisy to come back home after she goes missing. Her wish turns into a disaster when Daisy returns home with her puppies, the puppies that Charlie and Rocky give to neighbors two weeks earlier. Next, Daisy Attacks is a familiar story that happens often when dogs jump on a person, meaning no harm, but causing injury. Mrs. McCain calls Daisy's playful act an attack and demands that Charlie carry Daisy to the pound. He and Rocky scheme of ways to keep Daisy. Last, but not the least, Change of Heart leaves the reader with an insight as to why Katie McCain is cold and uncaring toward Charlie's dog, Daisy. The climax of each story builds from Charlie and Rocky's good intentions that take a turn for the worst and Charlie's struggle with his mama to keep Daisy.