Farm Boys and Girls

Country childhood takes shape through homes, schools, work, and recreation in William A. McKeever's handbook for rural parents and community leaders. He treats raising children as a shared responsibility, linking family routines with better school grounds, neighborhood libraries, church activities, and opportunities for play. Chapters consider the country dwelling, children's reading, the demands of farm work, and practical business training for boys and girls.

A section on choosing an occupation argues that parents should watch a child's developing interests patiently and allow the young person to make the final choice. McKeever also describes organized efforts to improve country life, including an Illinois federation that brings local groups together. For readers interested in rural education and the history of family life, the book records a program of community reform in which children's prospects depend on adults taking their needs seriously.