
Joel Pepper is a restless, quick‑tempered kid whose imagination often lands him in sticky situations. When Polly, the patient older sister‑figure, calls him out on his latest scheme, a chaotic chase erupts through the rickety boardwalk and the shadowy woodshed of their countryside home. Their banter, filled with stuttered threats and sudden howls, instantly sets a lively, slightly mischievous tone.
The tale follows Joel’s sprint to the mysterious “provision room” after a secret is threatened, introducing a cast of colorful characters like the booming Mr. Biggs and the enigmatic Miss Pettingill from the East Quarter. Along the way, a sly snake, whispered rumors, and a series of near‑misses keep the action humming, while the rural backdrop adds a nostalgic charm. Listeners will be drawn into a world where every corner hides a new prank, a hidden clue, or a chance for Joel to prove he isn’t as naughty as he seems.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (436K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Eric Eldred, Susan Skinner and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2005-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1844–1924
Best remembered as the creator of the beloved Five Little Peppers books, this American writer built a long career telling lively, warmhearted stories for young readers. Writing under the pen name Margaret Sidney, she also helped preserve literary history through her work connected to The Wayside in Concord, Massachusetts.
View all books