Coming soon..."My Sometimes Pal"...tell me more...

    In the backwoods of the Mississippi Valley, a long time ago, young Peter McDugal tries hard to be friends with a bully named Franky. Some days are filled with country excitement in a one-room schoolhouse or on his family’s farm. Others are darkened by Franky’s sudden and unexplained cruelty. Set in the 1800’s, Peter struggles with the same questions asked today: “Why me? What did I do?” As Peter’s tells his story in his own words, children work through the emotions of being bullied right along with him. There are no easy answers. But through his journey, children come to understand they are not alone…and bullying isn’t about them.

    The continuing adventures of Peter McDugal take place in a long-ago world that celebrates simple pleasures and hard work. Some things never change, though, and today’s children will identify with Peter’s ‘growing-up lessons.’ As the seasons pass from planting to harvest, Peter learns how to balance fun times like snakin’ and fishin’ at the creek with new responsibilities on the farm, at school and in his community.

    At the heart of the community is a one-room rock schoolhouse called Belden. More than a school, Belden holds the hopes and dreams of a community struggling to survive in good times and bad. And it is still there, tucked away in the hills of the Mississippi Valley and open to children everywhere!

    Come with us. Find out what makes Belden so special and Peter's life so adventurous!