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kayscr33klibrarian 's review for:
The Book of Boy
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
I had occasion last week to discuss the ALA awards that were given out and my friend Stephanie, a junior high librarian. She wondered what my thoughts would be on this book that had just won a Newbery Honor. I had no idea what the book was even about when I started.
The Book of Boy takes place in the Middle Ages and is about a deformed boy who is recruited by a passing pilgrim to help him save a religious relic. This is the beginning of a quest that will eventually lead them to Rome.
I found the history to be interesting as I am not familiar with the specific time period. The state of Rome around the 1300s was unexpected (the exact time period is given in the book, I just don't have the copy in front of me).
The story is easy to read though the book seems more geared towards young adults then children. My hesitation with the book is that it was really slow and I'm not sure that I ever felt pulled in. I certainly came to care about the two main characters, Boy and Secondus (the pilgrim). The book had unexpected twists as well. My favorite part was the author's note at the end of the book. I appreciate how she made comparisons between religious relics and modern day sports or movie relics. The author's note adds to the overall appeal of the book in my opinion.
The subject and writing style I believe are what make this book unique. Perhaps this is also why it was selected for a Newbery Honor.
The Book of Boy takes place in the Middle Ages and is about a deformed boy who is recruited by a passing pilgrim to help him save a religious relic. This is the beginning of a quest that will eventually lead them to Rome.
I found the history to be interesting as I am not familiar with the specific time period. The state of Rome around the 1300s was unexpected (the exact time period is given in the book, I just don't have the copy in front of me).
The story is easy to read though the book seems more geared towards young adults then children. My hesitation with the book is that it was really slow and I'm not sure that I ever felt pulled in. I certainly came to care about the two main characters, Boy and Secondus (the pilgrim). The book had unexpected twists as well. My favorite part was the author's note at the end of the book. I appreciate how she made comparisons between religious relics and modern day sports or movie relics. The author's note adds to the overall appeal of the book in my opinion.
The subject and writing style I believe are what make this book unique. Perhaps this is also why it was selected for a Newbery Honor.