Shenanigans at Sugar Creek

"Shenanigans at Sugar Creek" by Paul Hutchens is a children's novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around a group of boys known as the Sugar Creek Gang and their adventures involving school, friendships, and mischief in their quaint rural community. The main character, Bill Collins, along with his friends Dragonfly and Poetry, navigate the challenges presented by their new teacher, Mr. Black, and the rivalries that develop, particularly with a newcomer named Shorty Long. The opening of the book introduces us to the dynamics within the Sugar Creek Gang as they deal with the challenges posed by their new teacher, Mr. Black. Bill and his friends are concerned about the rising tension between Mr. Black and a boy named Shorty Long, who is known for his volatile temper. As the gang revels in typical childhood antics like sledding and building snowmen, they inadvertently bring Mr. Black into the fray by crafting a humorous snowman that resembles him, which sets the stage for mischief. The narrative captures their playful spirit while also hinting at deeper issues of friendship, loyalty, and understanding within their community. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Paul Hutchens was an American author. In addition to writing The Sugar Creek Gang, a series of 36 Christian-themed juvenile fiction books about the adventures of a group of young boys, he also wrote numerous adult fiction books, many with a romance theme. The author was a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. The Sugar Creek Gang books have been popular in evangelical Christian homes and have remained in print through multiple format and cover art changes. The books have also been dramatized on the radio, and in 2004, the stories were made into a series of movies, directed by Joy Chapman and Owen Smith. His books were originally published by Wm. B. Eerdmans, and later reprinted by other publishers such as Van Kampen Press and Moody Press.