Unfortunately I picked up this book, not realising its for young adults. Therefore my rating would differ if I read it 50 years ago ( )

This is, I believe, A. E. Hotchner's last published work, and although I have not yet read his childhood memoir King of the Hill, I suspect this novel is something of a re-working of that, as it covers the same time period and the descriptions of the two works sound quite similar. This little novel tells the somewhat fanciful tale of a 12-year-old boy left to his own devices, in the St. Louis of the Depression, who sets out to get his father out of jail, where he is being held indefinitely as a "material witness" to a shooting in which the gunman was not caught or identified. Aaron believes he can discover who fired the fatal shot, thereby bringing about his father's release---and y'know, you have to believe right along with him. Quirky, and sometimes moving, but I have a feeling I will wish I had read the memoir first when I get around to it. ( )

Aaron is right outside when a jewelry store robbery goes awry, resulting in murder. Although Aaron sees the real culprit bolt from the scene, Aaron's father is the one the cops come and take to jail. It'll be up to the "detectifying" of an almost-thirteen-year-old boy to prove his father's innocence in The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by author A. E. Hotchner.

Now. I should tell some of you, don't be fooled by the young protagonist and the lads on the vintage book cover and think this is a children's book or something. Readers from Aaron's age to the age of the author—who's around a hundred years old—are bound to enjoy this tale.

An old-fashioned historical mystery it is, steeped in its Depression-era St. Louis setting, but it's not driving hard to be super-mystery-ish the entire time. During the first quarter, it kind of reminded me of reading one of those slice-of-life classics my teachers would've assigned back in school.

Then, gradually and all of a sudden, I was all in. Aaron is such a mix of maturity and innocence, of inexperience, sharp wits, and relevant, real-deal principles. (You ought to hear this kid talk about his soul.) He narrates in a distinct, blunt voice, saying what's on his mind as it comes to him, and he's also funny without necessarily trying to be.

I'd be having a bit of a laugh, and then, just like that, Aaron, his memories, and his next "happening" would break my heart. Then warm my heart. Then get my heart all pumped, like, "Yeah, you tell 'em, kid! You show 'em! Get it, Aaron!"

I suspected I'd find this novel delightful and entertaining, but I didn't expect all the substance, poignancy, and hope that comes along with it. I also didn't expect to have tears in my eyes twice or thrice, including at the end of the story, but, well. That happened. ( )

The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by A. E. Hotchner is a charming depression era story set in St. Louis featuring a young protagonist. It is very highly recommended

Twelve-year-old Aarom Broom (almost thirteen) is guarding his father's car from the repleviners, two guys from the finance company who would repossess the car for non-payment if they see it. His father, Fred, has an appointment at a jewelry store to show them his samples of Bulova watches - and hopefully sell them some. When his father is buzzed into the jewlery store, pulling his large sample case behind him, Aaron sees a fat man follow quickly follow his father into the store. Then he hears shots, a window shatters, and the fat man runs out of the store, tucking a gun into his waistband. The police show up and Aaron's father is soon being handcuffed and detained by the police.

Eavesdropping on the officers, Aaron learns that his father is considered a material witness and possible accomplice. He will be held without bail. Since his mother is currently at a tuberculosis sanitarium, Aaron is on his own. He quickly surmises that he needs to do some "detectifying" and find out the identity of the real robber. First he will find a way to get his father's car moved and hid in a safe place, then he is going to start looking into the jewelry store employees. Aaron wrangles together a group of friends to help him, including the building manager, a newspaper boy, an ex-neighbor girl, and a kind lawyer, all while hiding from the juvenile welfare officer, trying to find his next meal, and a safe place to sleep.

The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom is an old-fashioned tale about a self-reliant, determined young man whose clever sleuthing helps him find the answers he needs to free his father. There is a real sense of community and helpfulness that we don't generally see today portrayed in the novel. Are the answers a bit too convenient for Aaron to find? Sure, but Aaron is an appealing, optimistic, and undaunted narrator. Hotchner provides plenty of period details viewed in the matter-of-fact way a twelve-year-old would view them. This is a delightful, fast-paced, old-fashioned detective story that was a sheer delight to read.

(Apparently some of this story was also covered in Hotchner's autobiographical novel, King of the Hill, 1972, which I now have on my wish list.)

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/07/the-amazing-adventures-of-aaron-broom.htm... ( )