“The Oak and the Acorn” by Dean Grissom

The Oak and the Acorn

Dean Grissom
48hr books (2026)
ISBN:  979-8234203526
Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views (07/2026)

Tommy Meadors comes from modest means. After being orphaned as a baby and left on a porch, a couple he calls Grandma and Grandpa raise him as their own on their farm. When Tommy enters school, he is bullied for being poor, but a girl named Maggie Scott takes him under her wing and changes everything. Life on a farm is hard work, especially during the Second World War. Still, when the Meadors receive a business proposition they cannot turn down, life becomes vastly different. Leadership opportunities develop for Tommy and Maggie as they become young adults.

Is leadership in Tommy’s future? Will Tommy and Maggie’s friendship blossom into love?

The Oak and the Acorn by Dean Grissom is a charming coming-of-age historical novel that follows Tommy Meador as he navigates the challenges of growing up. The Meador family struggles significantly in the beginning—low income, discrimination, and Tommy getting picked on by a ruthless peer. But the family experiences a huge shift when Rex Walker comes into their lives. Spanning several decades, the novel educates readers about how the farming industry evolved after the war, the highs and lows of building a cattle empire, and, of course, the enduring relationship between Tommy and Maggie.

The author has done an excellent job of developing Tommy and Maggie’s relationship. Still, my favorite connection was the one between Tommy and his grandfather. Full of practical wisdom, Mr. Meador seemed to know what to say at the right time to bring Tommy comfort. He was a gentle man who loved his grandson immensely, and that shone through when he consoled Tommy through grief and the sadness Tommy experienced when leaving home in search of greener pastures. It reminded me of how my grandmother counseled me through trying times in my younger years. When you have the love and support of a wise friend or family member, it profoundly affects the way you look at life.

The Oak and the Acorn is a gentler-paced novel that focuses on building character relationships and describing the day-to-day on a farm. It also focuses on representation and inclusion, particularly of those with a Cherokee heritage. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction that follows a close-knit family as the passage of time marches forward. More, for the romantic enthusiasts, Grissom doesn’t disappoint, sprinkling in heartwarming moments between the main characters that elevate the wholesome dynamic.