Independent reviews, awards, educational references and historical documentation associated with The Barefoot Fisherman by Paul Amdahl.
Many of these records concern earlier editions of the book. This page identifies that history clearly rather than implying that a historical review was written about the current 2026 revised edition.
Return to the BookAn earlier edition of The Barefoot Fisherman was reviewed by Diane Olivo-Posner of the Long Beach Public Library for School Library Journal.
The review recognized the practical information Paul passes directly to young readers from his fishing experience. It also noted his catch-and-release ethic.
View surviving review recordBoys’ Life reviewed the book for essentially the same youth audience Paul hoped to reach.
The review highlighted practical subjects including reels, fishing line, lures, individual fish species, approaching fish, fly casting, dough bait, worms, crawdads and grasshoppers.
View surviving editorial-review recordProfessional angler Walt Reynolds described the book as:
Reynolds also wrote that he wished a book like it had been available when he was a boy because it could have shortened years of trial and error.
View surviving review recordMidwest Book Review recommended The Barefoot Fisherman as a reader-friendly introduction to fishing for aspiring young anglers.
The archived review is attributed to Jim Cox of Midwest Book Review.
View archived review recordDetra Fitch observed that although the book was aimed at younger readers, experienced adults could learn from it as well.
Her review praised the straightforward conversational approach and practical fishing information.
View archived reviewAn archived 2001 review listed under the name Reviewed By Children compared the book to learning fishing from an older brother.
The original organization behind that attribution has not yet been independently identified, so this is presented as an archived review rather than as a major professional publication credential.
View archived recordGoodreads includes reader reactions emphasizing practical fishing knowledge, personal fishing stories and the book’s usefulness for parents trying to understand a child’s growing interest in fishing.
View Goodreads recordThe earlier paperback listing on Amazon accumulated customer ratings and reviews over time. Comments have included responses from parents, grandparents, children and beginning anglers.
This link is retained as a historical review reference to the older edition (ASIN 0692202145). Reviews on that listing are not necessarily displayed on the separately published 2026 revised edition.
View earlier-edition Amazon reviewsThe Barefoot Fisherman was one of five books nominated in the Intermediate category of Wisconsin’s 2005 Golden Archer Award.
The Golden Archer is a student-choice reading program. Other books in the 2005 Intermediate nominee group included works by Kate DiCamillo, Sharon Creech, Jack Gantos and Megan McDonald.
Following the Golden Archer recognition, Scholastic Book Fairs purchased 2,000 copies of The Barefoot Fisherman in a single order.
The transaction was later described publicly by Kenn Amdahl of Clearwater Publishing in an article published by the Independent Book Publishers Association.
The book has appeared in independent educational and youth-outdoor resources beyond ordinary retail bookselling.
The Barefoot Fisherman appears on the Iowa DNR Master WILD Activity Book List for grades 3–5.
View Iowa DNR resourceA Trout in the Classroom teacher manual lists The Barefoot Fisherman as related reading in material involving fishing activities, casting, knots and regulations.
View teacher manualAn Ontario 4-H Outdoor Living Reference Manual includes The Barefoot Fisherman among its cited resources.
View Ontario 4-H manualReviewers repeatedly respond to the conversational way Paul explains fishing without talking down to younger readers.
The record repeatedly highlights real-world subjects such as bait, tackle, approaching the water, species, fishing techniques and everyday problem-solving.
Parents, grandparents and experienced anglers also appear throughout the review history, suggesting that the book can function as a shared resource between generations.
Some reader accounts describe children becoming more interested in actually going fishing after reading the book.
The Barefoot Fisherman has existed in multiple editions over many years. Reviews, awards and educational references may therefore identify an earlier edition rather than the current revised paperback.
A historical review is not presented as if the reviewer examined the current revised edition.
Important factual claims are accompanied whenever possible by an outside record that readers can inspect themselves.
Historical claims that cannot yet be adequately documented are not presented here as established credentials.
Preserves historical editorial-review material including School Library Journal, Boys’ Life and Walt Reynolds.
Open sourceIndependent record identifying The Barefoot Fisherman among the 2005 Intermediate nominees.
Open sourceKenn Amdahl’s article documents the Golden Archer history and the subsequent 2,000-copy Scholastic Book Fairs order.
Open sourceMaster WILD Activity Book List containing The Barefoot Fisherman.
Open sourceTeacher resource referencing the book as related reading.
Open sourceYouth outdoor-education manual listing the book among its resources.
Open sourceReader ratings and written reactions associated with the book.
Open sourceThe current revised paperback was published October 17, 2026 (ASIN B0HNF5V77N; ISBN-13 9798163148233). Reviews and ratings shown on this listing may differ from those of earlier editions.
Open 2026 Amazon listingLearn more about the book, its audience, what young anglers learn and the story behind why Paul wrote it.
Explore The Barefoot Fisherman Contact Paul