Home on the Rock Pile

Title: Home on the Rock Pile
Author: Pablo Yoder
Major Themes: Family Life, Virginia, Blue Ridge, Wildlife
Synopsis: Pablo Yoder tells the story of four years that he and his family lived in an old house in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Pablo Yoder has been a favorite author of our family for a few years now. We have read several of his books for adults, about his life in Costa Rica when he was a boy and, later, his family’s life in Nicaragua after he was married. Pablo’s life has been anything but tame—and Home on the Rock Pile narrates his earliest memories for children.

Sanford and Martha Yoder wanted to spread God’s love among the people living in the hills of Virginia. In the early 1960s, they moved their family into Shifflet’s Hollow, along the Blue Ridge. Their house was old, shabby and small, but Daddy and Mama loved their growing family and the four oldest, all boys had many adventures on the Rock Pile, as they called their home for four years. From skunks to bears, the wildlife was fascinating for these nature-loving boys, although sometimes the local wildlife caused almost too much excitement.

We thoroughly enjoyed this well-told story of a family who loved God and shared that love with each other and with the people around them. The boys are so real, and the scrapes they get themselves into quite believable. As the youngest of the four boys (although several sisters followed), Paul, now known as Pablo, did his best to keep up with the older boys, and they lovingly helped him to participate in their fun. If you’re looking for a good clean book to enjoy with your family, take a look at Home on the Rock Pile. You’ll enjoy it!

No warnings!