Man of the Family—like Ralph Moody's earlier best seller Little Britches—is a story of the warmth and joy of close family relationships, a story of a boy's growing up, a story of ingenuity and perseverance that is typically American.

The theme is the successful attempt of Ralph, his older sister Grace, and their mother to hold the fatherless family together. Though not in his teens, Ralph earns his spurs as a cattle puncher. He rides in cowboy races and with Grace's help so disguises his winnings that their mother accepts the money. He designs a curtain stretcher the Grace and their mother use to bring the family a steady income. He takes seriously his responsibilities as man of the family; yet he has more fun than most boy who are farm more "fortunate."

In Man of the Family you'll meet, besides Ralph and his family, the good-hearted sheriff, who pays bumbling court to Ralph's mother; Hi, the cowboy friend who teaches Ralph by precept and example; Mr. Batchlett, the sharpest cattle trader for miles about; Mr. Nutting, who explains to Ralph the difference between a hired man and a businessman; and a number of others.

From the dust jacket