“…Richard’s folksy voice is winsome.”                                                                              
—Horn Book Guide

 “I absolutely loved The Red Scarf!!! It’s one of those rare works that anyone, no matter who, can read — from a 12-year-old boy to an 84-year-old female, it has something for everyone. This is the best book I’ve read in awhile, and I could not put it down. I actually shed some tears over it, it was that good!”
 —Angela Cruz, Anchor/Producer, NBC-TV, Monroe, LA

 “The nice Christmas message of “The Red Scarf” is that providence will reward a boy’s unselfish kindness. Better is the subtext. Two white boys in a world as segregated as it could ever be enjoy an earnest and mutual friendship with an aging black man that is uncomplicated by the fearful prejudices of their elders, which you suspect will arrive soon enough for them.”
 —Ernest Dumas, Arkansas Times

”… Arkansas’s greatest resource is its people. Your novel emphasizes just that.”
 —Blanche L. Lincoln, United States Senator

“Richard’s spirit is pure and the story is infective. Mr. Mason weaves a sweet tale in spite of the hardships that his main character has to struggle with. …this isn’t a traditional Christmas story, but the spirit rings out for a joyous holiday season for everyone.”
—www.teensreadtoo.com

“…his adventures are reminiscent of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.”
—Provo City Library Children’s Book Review

“Richard, your book encompasses so many of the character education aspects that we are emphasizing in our curriculum as well as the local flavor and history surrounding our school and community. It will be ideal for a class read. Children today still confront bullying, discover the rewards of doing the right thing, and learn from their own experiences what it means to give to and care about others – The Red Scarf is chock full of life lessons written in language that will delight children.”
 —Janice Hughes, Library Media Specialist, Norphlet, Ark.

“Never did Richard imagine that his quest to impress the prettiest girl in school would lead to run-ins with wild animals and bandits that populate rural Arkansas.”                                                                                                                                         —Bloomsbury Review

 “…a classic bildungsroman or coming-of-age tale with Richard learning many life lessons and having various adventures along the way.…very much like the way people sit around and tell stories about real people and events and humorous incidents.”
—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

“…an eleven year-old boy who wants nothing more than to buy a $15 scarf for the prettiest girl in his seventh grade class. That wish comes with lots of challenges, some of them humorous; other will surely bring a tear to your eye. But in the end, it’s a wonderful and heartwarming holiday story set in Arkansas’ past.”
—Hot in Little Rock

 “I had a great time going back in time through the story. It was not unlike my childhood in the coal fields of Southern Illinois. It was a wonderful story of childhood and friendship as well as a reflection on what really is important, some glasses to help and old man read or a scarf to impress a girl. The story is a realistic look into the world of our adolescent years and the friendship of two boys. I hope the story will continue.”
—Dr. Lyndell P. Worthen, Pastor of First Baptist Church, El Dorado, Ark. 

 “Richard’s well-written book has a very powerful ending. It brought back memories of the time I spent growing up on my grandpa’s farm just outside Prescott. I laughed out loud on a Delta flight over the skunk story and I teared up on another flight as Uncle Hugh said goodbye.”
—U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District

 “My ‘reviewer’ liked the book quite much, genuinely so.”
—Doug Sprei, Director Marketing and Communications
    Orphan Foundation of America

“With only four weeks to Christmas and $15 to come up with in the hardscrabble rural Arkansas of 1944, what will he do?….Mr. Mason’s research included talking to many older people in Union County, an experience that reawakened many of his memories and helped make his book richer.”
 —Magale Library Newsletter
South Arkansas University

“I want to congratulate you on a beautifully written book. It is truly a beautifully Christmas story. As I finished each chapter I could hardly wait to read the next one….it should be made into a movie.”
—Major General (Ret) Jimmy Red Jones
Colonel (Ret) Shirley Ledbetter Jones

 

“give this to upper elementary students, boy or girl and watch them chuckle.”
—Cindy Yeager, Boone County Public Library, Ohio

 

 

“…a timeless story, a book that will be on the shelves for years…and would make a good movie. There just aren’t enough books such asThe Red Scarf, that can be shared and enjoyed across generations.”
—Liz Parkhurst, August House

“I’m 51 and I haven’t read a book since I graduated from high school, but I thought The Red Scarf was great. By the way, what happened to Sniffer?”
—Larry Young, dog lover

“Before any more time passes, I want to thank you for the galley proof of The Red Scarf. The cover is terrific…. Congratulation on its upcoming release….” Authors note—The President has been rather busy lately, but he has told me he is looking forward to reading it once the election season is behind us.
—President William Jefferson Clinton

“We read this together out loud as a family (3 boys 13, 11, 7). The boys were rolling in the floor they were laughing so hard! (Mom and Dad were hee hawing as well) Mr. Mason makes you feel like you are right there in the thick of things. I could hardly read some chapters for crying through them but turn the page and he’d have you laughing again. I even read a chapter for my Cub Scouts at Pack Meeting and they were begging for more. Young and old everyone will love this book! We can hardly wait for his next book.”
—www.amazon.com

“Every single person I have shared your book with has loved it. That is really, really saying something when a piece of literature can cut across so many generations and bring so much Christmas joy to so many. Congratulations and thanks for sharing a piece of your Arkansas childhood with the rest of us!”
 —www.amazon.com

“I enjoyed the book tremendously!…..I look forward to seeing your next manuscript.”
Cal Downs
Kansas City, Kansas

“Just wanted you to know that your writing The Red Scarf was one of the highlights of the Christmas gifts I received…..Your book has been such fun reading and truly touched my heart.”
Becky Mullins
Magnolia, Arkansas

 

 

The Red Scarf is a jewel! The characters are so very, real and your use of humor is delightful.……It is a dear story, wonderfully told…”

 

Pedie Bramblet

Dallas, Texas

 

 

“I just finished reading The Red Scarf and I could hardly put it down. You have captured the feel of that time. You may have been a modern day Huck Finn.”

 

Bob Nunnally

Camden, Arkansas

 

 

“I want to congratulate you on a beautifully written book. It is truly a beautifully Christmas story. As I finished each chapter I could hardly wait to read the next one. I told Steve it should be made into a movie.”

 

Major General (Ret) Jimmy Red Jones

Colonel (Ret) Shirley Ledbetter Jones

Hot Springs, Arkansas

 

 

“Reading the book was a pleasure, a perception glimpse into a new world for me, a boy in the rural South. I loved Richard’s plunk fueled by curiosity and a little perversity, a delightful refusal to learn from his mistakes (or a willingness to tolerate the punishment for the action and excitement.)”

 

Bettie Anne Mahony

El Dorado, Arkansas

 

 

“With only four weeks to Christmas and $15 to come up with in the hardscrabble rural Arkansas of 1944, what will he do?….Mr. Mason’s research included talking to many older people in Union County, an experience the reawakened many of his memories and helped make his book richer.”

 

Magale Library Newsletter

South Arkansas University

Magnolia, Arkansas

 

 

“The book is wonderful! Hope to see more..”

Jim Barton

Huttig, Arkansas

 

 

“…an eleven year-old boy who wants nothing more than to buy a $15 scarf for the prettiest girl in his seventh grade class. That wish comes with lots of challenges, some of them humorous; other will surely bring a tear to your eye. But in the end, it’s a wonderful and heartwarming holiday story set in Arkansas’ past.”

 

Hot in Little Rock newsletter

Little Rock, Arkansas

 

 

“…I feel very honored to have an autographed copy of The Red Scarf, which I am about to finish and have enjoyed so much. Of course, I want Richard to find a way to purchase the red scarf, but most of all I hope that somehow Uncle Hugh will be able to acquire a pair of eye glasses.”

 

Mary C. Decker, Attorney at Law

Jacksonville, Texas

 

 

“I enjoyed The Red Scarf very much and it was especially interesting because I grew up in those simpler times during WW II. It’s a great down to earth story and fun to read. There are lessons to be learned, hopes and dreams, disappointments, true friendships, Rosalie and the red scarf. What really moved me was the poignant friendship between the boys and Uncle Hugh.”

 

Robert Schmidt

Straford, Ontario, Canada

 

 

“I just loved your book, The Red Scarf….it also reminded me of another favorite of mine, Where The Red Fern Grows…..you attract your reader from the first page to just keep on turning the pages with anticipation of what’s going to happen next!!”

 

Betty Linda Nolan

El Dorado, Arkansas

 

 

“My ‘reviewer’ liked the book quite much, genuinely so.”

 

Doug Sprei

The Orphan Foundation of America

 

Sterling, Va

Endorsements

 

The Red Scarf

 

By Richard Mason

 

“Before any more time passes, I want to thank you for the galley proof of The Red Scarf. The cover is terrific…. Congratulation on its upcoming release….” Authors note—The President has been rather busy lately, but he has told me he is looking forward to reading it once the election season is behind us.

 

—President William Jefferson Clinton

 

“I absolutely loved The Red Scarf!!! It’s one of those rare works that anyone, no matter who, can read — from a 12-year-old boy to an 84-year-old female, it has something for everyone. This is the best book I’ve read in awhile, and I could not put it down. I actually shed some tears over it, it was that good!”

 

                   —Angela Cruz, Anchor/Producer, NBC-TV, Monroe, LA

 

“The nice Christmas message of “The Red Scarf” is that providence will reward a boy’s unselfish kindness. Better is the subtext. Two white boys in a world as segregated as it could ever be enjoy an earnest and mutual friendship with an aging black man that is uncomplicated by the fearful prejudices of their elders, which you suspect will arrive soon enough for them.”

 

—Ernest Dumas, Arkansas Times

 

”… Arkansas’s greatest resource is its people. Your novel emphasizes just that.”

 

—Blanche L. Lincoln, United States Senator

 

“Richard’s spirit is pure and the story is infective. Mr. Mason weaves a sweet tale in spite of the hardships that his main character has to struggle with. …this isn’t a traditional Christmas story, but the spirit rings out for a joyous holiday season for everyone.”

 

—www.teensreadtoo.com

“…his adventures are reminiscent of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.”

—Provo City Library Children’s Book Review

“Richard, your book encompasses so many of the character education aspects that we are emphasizing in our curriculum as well as the local flavor and history surrounding our school and community. It will be ideal for a class read. Children today still confront bullying, discover the rewards of doing the right thing, and learn from their own experiences what it means to give to and care about others – The Red Scarf is chock full of life lessons written in language that will delight children.”

                   —Janice Hughes, Library Media Specialist, Norphlet, Ark.

“Never did Richard imagine that his quest to impress the prettiest girl in school would lead to run-ins with wild animals and bandits that populate rural Arkansas.”

—Bloomsbury Review

“…a classic bildungsroman or coming-of-age tale with Richard learning many life lessons and having various adventures along the way.…very much like the way people sit around and tell stories about real people and events and humorous incidents.”

—Arkansas Democrat Gazette

“…an eleven year-old boy who wants nothing more than to buy a $15 scarf for the prettiest girl in his seventh grade class. That wish comes with lots of challenges, some of them humorous; other will surely bring a tear to your eye. But in the end, it’s a wonderful and heartwarming holiday story set in Arkansas’ past.”

—Hot in Little Rock

 “I had a great time going back in time through the story. It was not unlike my childhood in the coal fields of Southern Illinois. It was a wonderful story of childhood and friendship as well as a reflection on what really is important, some glasses to help and old man read or a scarf to impress a girl. The story is a realistic look into the world of our adolescent years and the friendship of two boys. I hope the story will continue.”

—Dr. Lyndell P. Worthen, Pastor of First Baptist Church, El Dorado, Ark. 

 “Richard’s well-written book has a very powerful ending. It brought back memories of the time I spent growing up on my grandpa’s farm just outside Prescott. I laughed out loud on a Delta flight over the skunk story and I teared up on another flight as Uncle Hugh said goodbye.”

 

—U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District

 

“My ‘reviewer’ liked the book quite much, genuinely so.”

 

—Doug Sprei, Director Marketing and Communications

Orphan Foundation of America

 

“With only four weeks to Christmas and $15 to come up with in the hardscrabble rural Arkansas of 1944, what will he do?….Mr. Mason’s research included talking to many older people in Union County, an experience that reawakened many of his memories and helped make his book richer.”

 

—Magale Library Newsletter

South Arkansas University

 

“I want to congratulate you on a beautifully written book. It is truly a beautifully Christmas story. As I finished each chapter I could hardly wait to read the next one….it should be made into a movie.”

 

—Major General (Ret) Jimmy Red Jones

Colonel (Ret) Shirley Ledbetter Jones

“I’m 51 and I haven’t read a book since I graduated from high school, but I thought The Red Scarf was great. By the way, what happened to Sniffer?”

                   —Larry Young, dog lover

 

 

“I’ve started reading it (The Red Scarf) and I love the imagery. I live in a small town in Connecticut and the scenes you describe ring true!”

 

                                                                                         Richard J. Schlesinger

                                                                                         CBS “48 Hours”

 

…..”Along the way, he and his best friend have encounters with a host of offbeat and dangerous adversaries (human and animal)…..Richard’s folksy voice is winsome.”  “Recommended…. “

                                                                                               

                                                                                          Jack Forman

                                                                                   The Horn Book Guide

…..”I would give this to upper elementary students, boy or girl, and watch them chuckle.”

Literary merit: Good

Characterization: Excellent

Recommendation: Recommended

                                                                             Cindy Yeager

                                                                             Boone County Public Library

                                                                             Southwest Ohio and Neighboring

                                                                             Libraries

 

“I just finished reading it and thought it was absolutely and amazing story.”

                                                                                    Todd Yakoubian

                                                                                    Weatherman, KATV Channel 7

                                                                                     Little Rock, Ar.

 

“We read this together out loud as a family (3 boys 13, 11, 7). The boys were rolling in the floor they were laughing so hard! (Mom and Dad were hee hawing as well) Mr. Mason makes you feel like you are right there in the thick of things. I could hardly read some chapters for crying through them but turn the page and he’d have you laughing again. I even read a chapter for my Cub Scouts at Pack Meeting and they were begging for more. Young and old everyone will love this book! We can hardly wait for his next book.”

 

—www.amazon.com

 

“Every single person I have shared your book with has loved it. That is really, really saying something when a piece of literature can cut across so many generations and bring so much Christmas joy to so many. Congratulations and thanks for sharing a piece of your Arkansas childhood with the rest of us!”

 

—www.amazon.com

 

 

“……smiles and laughter. However, the scenes that will stay in my heart and mind forever are you, John Clayton, and Uncle Hugh on Christmas Eve. I purchased the book but those scenes on Christmas Eve are a gift from you, the writer. Thank you.

                                                                                    Cherie Lang

                                                                             Watauga, TX