PAST THE END OF THE PAVEMENT

This is certainly not a novel. It is an adult book in the same way that Stalky & Co. is adult, that Helen's Babies is adult, that Worth Remembering is adult. It is fun, it sounds authentic, but it all depends on how it strikes one's nostalgic chords how it sells. I liked it. Men may like it better than women. Anyhow -- it is a story of two small boys, the older inclined to give orders and taunt the younger into doing the difficult things, but both driven by curiosity to find out about life and what goes on ""past the end of the pavement"". A pet drake causes a tempest in the community; a ""rain of beetles"" gets them into trouble; turtles almost lose them the roof over their heads; pet owlets bring down the wrath of the S P C A upon them; pet 'possums introduce them to mysteries of motherhood; and pet snakes almost prove their undoing. Amusingly and simply told, with a few bits of realism that remind one that this is Finney of The Circus of Dr. Lao. Not for a wide market --but might have a juvenile plus sale.