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kiragrieco's review against another edition
4.0
When I was reading through different middle grade summaries for my YA lit class and I came across this one, I loved the sweet and simple idea behind it. And that’s exactly what it was when I read it- sweet. Archer is a cute and rather oblivious 5th/6th grader throughout the story who absolutely idolizes his dad, his grandpa, and his Uncle Paul. His best friend, Lynette, is a perfect example of a girl this age, especially as Archer mentions her changes and transitions once they hit middle school. In the same way, Archer is a perfect example of a boy at the age; clueless, funny, mischievous, and a perfect narrator for the story. He made me laugh so many times throughout, this was really just a perfect light-hearted middle grade book. My one qualm with it, and the reason I gave it a 4 star rating, is I would’ve liked to see more character development in some of the adults, along with relationship development. I know that this might have been done intentionally to show how Archer still doesn’t know a lot about adults, but the ending felt sort of abrupt, but didn’t leave me feeling dissatisfied in any way. That being said though, this really is a very good, light-hearted, happy middle grade read!
sprucetree520's review against another edition
2.0
Don't understand the point of the book at all.... There really wasn't a conflict
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
This is perfection in middle grade novel form. Peck is a MASTER.
Characters of all ages with faults, technology woven throughout (and often bungled), a loveably slow-on-the-uptake main character, en media res, and a coming of early age story that leaves so much to be discovered for all.
Characters of all ages with faults, technology woven throughout (and often bungled), a loveably slow-on-the-uptake main character, en media res, and a coming of early age story that leaves so much to be discovered for all.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
5.0
Archer is slow to catch on, but things will happen when they are supposed to.
knbee's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book, but did not absolutely adore it as others have. While I very much appreciated it as a whole (the loving family, the perfectly imperfect community, the casual yet fully supportive representation of gay marriage, the beautifully structured plot, most of the humor…) some of the events (particularly in the beginning of the book) seemed so exaggerated that I just could not believe them, and for me, that is a problem when reading realistic fiction. But with all of that being said, I’m an adult and this book was written for kids and I can totally see them adoring it, so in my mind, it’s a winner regardless of my issues with it. Plus I completely teared up at the end from loving the love so much. Ok… so maybe I really, REALLY liked it.
journey2's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I found The Best Man to be a Charming story.
Told by a young boy; Archer, as he grows up over a span of about 5 years. He has important men in his life that he looks to as role models with great respect. His grandfather, his father, and his uncle Paul. Also eventually his student teacher Mr McLeod who will become his uncle as well when he marries Uncle Paul.
Archer lives his life observing the world around him and learning about who he wants to be, based on the examples around him and the friends that shape him.
This is a pleasant, easy to read story. I found Archer endearing, and his connection to his family quite lovely.
The book calls itself a story about gay marriage, but the wedding of his uncle was really only a tiny part of it and it was more about him growing up and learning about the world around him. One of those things being that his beloved Uncle Paul was gay and learning to understand what that meant as well as being a big part of their relationship to each other and close connection. I don't think that it could be called a book about gay marriage, but rather a book that includes a gay wedding. Instead I would say this is a lovely story about positive male role models in a young boy's life and the lasting and important impact they can have.
Some of the things that happened in the story were a bit outlandish but there were some moving moments as well. You can tell that Archer will grow up to be a kind and well-rounded person.
Overall this book would be a nice read for the 8 to 12 year old reader in your life.
Told by a young boy; Archer, as he grows up over a span of about 5 years. He has important men in his life that he looks to as role models with great respect. His grandfather, his father, and his uncle Paul. Also eventually his student teacher Mr McLeod who will become his uncle as well when he marries Uncle Paul.
Archer lives his life observing the world around him and learning about who he wants to be, based on the examples around him and the friends that shape him.
This is a pleasant, easy to read story. I found Archer endearing, and his connection to his family quite lovely.
The book calls itself a story about gay marriage, but the wedding of his uncle was really only a tiny part of it and it was more about him growing up and learning about the world around him. One of those things being that his beloved Uncle Paul was gay and learning to understand what that meant as well as being a big part of their relationship to each other and close connection. I don't think that it could be called a book about gay marriage, but rather a book that includes a gay wedding. Instead I would say this is a lovely story about positive male role models in a young boy's life and the lasting and important impact they can have.
Some of the things that happened in the story were a bit outlandish but there were some moving moments as well. You can tell that Archer will grow up to be a kind and well-rounded person.
Overall this book would be a nice read for the 8 to 12 year old reader in your life.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Hate crime, Blood, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
cojack's review against another edition
4.0
Really cute and endearing. I love how Archer is the last to know/figure out anything, but we see him grow and mature emotionally. Topics such as gay marriage, bullying, and death figure into the plot without being too message-y or heavy handed. A good read for kids 8-12. You can read my full review on Common Sense Media:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-best-man
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-best-man
sfujii's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I picked it up on a whim, and love love LOVED it. It was incredibly endearing - reading 232 pages from the perspective of a young man (started the book in the first grade and ended after 6th grade). It reminded me of something that I already knew - that kids pick up on FAR more than we give them credit for. And also that youth, and love, are beautiful things.
I highly recommend this.
I highly recommend this.
arielml's review against another edition
3.0
When I first started this book, it annoyed me, because it opened supposedly from the perspective of a six-year-old but sounded like an adult man. (Maybe this frustration was especially strong because I had just finished another YA book, Marilyn Hilton's excellent "Full Cicada Moon," that did a really good job of making the child narrator's voice authentic.) But as I kept reading, and Archer got older, I began to like the book more. It still felt like an adult telling a child's story, but I got used to it. The characters were genuine and likeable, and there were some laugh-out-loud moments. The book also does a nice, if somewhat superficial, job of addressing homophobia. (What I mean by superficial is that homophobia comes up as an issue, but is relatively quickly resolved; it doesn't seem to be a deep-seated prejudice in the community that requires much work to overcome.)
carriebethreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars! Realistic characters full of depth and humor. It would make a great read aloud for 5th grade or middle school as long as parents knew same sex marriage is a part of the story. Archer's life is full of loving family members, a precocious close friend and the wild adventures of his days in school.