The Book of Boy Review written by the Hobbit on 6/25/2020
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Know before you read:
Book: The Book of Boy
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Pages: 288
Published: 2018
Rating: 5 stars
Age Suggestion: 9+
Warnings: References to the Plague could affect kids who have known people with COVID
Awards: Newbery Honor Book; Booklist Editors’ Choice; BookPage Best Books; Chicago Public Library Best Fiction; Horn Book Fanfare; Kirkus Reviews Best Books ; Publishers Weekly Best Books; Wall Street Journal Best of the Year; and ALA Notable Book
Quick Summary
It is 1350 and Boy is a servant at a manor in France. He is shy and awkward because he is a hunchback. A pilgrim comes through the manor and Boy accompanies him as he journeys to Rome. In a series of adventures, we discover that the pilgrim is not a simple pilgrim. And Boy is not who he thinks he is either. As they journey together, will Boy not only learn but accept who he is meant to be?
Why you (and your kids) should read this book:
This is truly a book about discovering who you are meant to be, and learning to embrace your identity. It can spark some great discussions on this with kids. Also, The Book of Boy can start some discussions about how people who have physical differences are treated. It is also a good way to learn about life in the 14th century. This and The Inquisitor’s Tale (see our review here) are an excellent way to introduce a period of time that is foreign to most of us.
The Book of Boy Review
When we meet Boy, he is ostracized because he is a hunchback. At this point in history, people viewed hunchbacks as monsters. They were cursed by God and were, therefore on the outskirts of society. As Boy journeys with the pilgrim Secundus he is charged with carrying Secundus’s pack. Tied to his back Boy finds that the pack conceals his hump. People begin to treat him as a normal boy. He is thrilled by this and vows to pray in Rome (their destination) that God will make him a normal boy.
(Major Spoilers beyond this point!)
As they journey and face a series of challenging adventures, we find out that Secundus is over a thousand years old. He has escaped from hell and is on a quest that will gain him entrance into heaven, where he will be reunited with his wife and young son. We also discover that Boy is not a hunchback. But rather he has wings and is an angel. However, he finds this difficult to accept, as his ambition is still to be accepted as a normal human boy.
You are thoroughly drawn into the characterization of Boy. Boy’s character does not change throughout the book. He is kind and compassionate, and is already brave. The story is, as noted above, about his discovery of who he is, and his struggles with who he wants to be. The story has richly drawn secondary characters, and you will be rooting for the relationship between Boy and Secundus as it grows into a deep friendship. We give it an unqualified recommendation for all ages.
Note: This is a work of fiction, not a theology textbook. While it is immersed in Christian terminology, and uses many Christian concepts from 1350, the book is s journey of self-discovery. We find this to be rich and a way to open conversation, but there may be some who are offended by this. If you only want 20th century evangelical theology in your fiction you may want to skip this book.
The Book of Boy Discussion questions:
- Have you ever wanted to talk to animals? What do you think they would say? Which animals would you want to talk to most?
- Secundus and Boy visit a lot of different places. Some of them are nice and some of them are scary. Would you like to visit any of them? Which ones?
- In the beginning of the book, Boy is shy and awkward. How would you describe his character? What changes in the book? How does Boy see himself at the beginning and at the end?
- Boy learns at the end of the book that he does have a job to do. What job is that? What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? 15 years?
- Boy is treated badly because he is physically different. Have you known anyone who was physically different (in a wheelchair, blind, deaf, etc.). How did other people treat them? What can you learn about that from Boy?
Favorite quote:
“Something a wise man once told me.” Saint Paul, in fact. “He said there was work to be done.” And joy in the labor. Such joy, if you knew how to find it.
If you enjoyed The Book of Boy review, check out these other posts:
–Look Both Ways Review & Discussion Guide
–Artemis Fowl Movie Review & Discussion Guide
–The Unicorn Rescue Society Review & Discussion Guide
–Boxers & Saints Graphic Novel Review & Discussion Guide
-Talking Your Teens Through the movie Just Mercy.
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