This was Henry's last book, and there is a mention of "my mom's favorite CD" in the beginning, but then we slip, temporally, into a nondescript time when people are using horse carts and buggies, and everyone in Tennessee seems to use or want to use a mule and a plow, and nobody has farm machinery. Perhaps Tennessee is indeed like this.

There is little to no tension in this book. The neighbor lad is abusive and nasty about the mule for a while but then changes his mind. The mule is crowned King. The main character does great in school, writes an award-winning essay about mules and is feted across America, mom's jam business takes off despite the family being impoverished, everyone loves the mule, and they all live happily ever after about the fifth chapter in the book. If you're looking for a zero-impact tale to read to your Covid-shattered loved ones who need a bit of comfort, here's one for you.