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Book of Boy
Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
27 posts | 15 read | 10 to read
A 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 * An ALA Notable BookA young outcast is swept up into a thrilling and perilous medieval treasure hunt in this award-winning literary page-turner by acclaimed bestselling author Catherine Gilbert Murdock. The Book of Boy was awarded a Newbery Honor. "A treat from start to finish."--Wall Street JournalBoy has always been relegated to the outskirts of his small village. With a hump on his back, a mysterious past, and a tendency to talk to animals, he is often mocked by others in his town--until the arrival of a shadowy pilgrim named Secondus. Impressed with Boy's climbing and jumping abilities, Secondus engages Boy as his servant, pulling him into an action-packed and suspenseful expedition across Europe to gather seven precious relics of Saint Peter.Boy quickly realizes this journey is not an innocent one. They are stealing the relics and accumulating dangerous enemies in the process. But Boy is determined to see this pilgrimage through until the end--for what if St. Peter has the power to make him the same as the other boys? This epic and engrossing quest story by Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock is for fans of Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale and Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and for readers of all ages. Features a map and black-and-white art by Ian Schoenherr throughout.
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review
berko
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Pickpick

Very interesting and well written story. Takes place in medieval times around time of plague. Many references to church history and life of the times including relics and witch hunts. Quite a dark story but adventurous. Kids enjoyed the adventures and acts of bravery.

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madams421
Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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#wondrouswednesday
1. Probably Annie Dillard or Mary Oliver, but I try to read lots of different authors to keep variety!
2. We love trying new restaurants and bars, and I really miss having my adult ESL students over for dinner. :(
3. Ooh I love books in the big city when you can feel the energy in the constant movement. Or somewhere with water when the ocean/lake is described really powerfully.

@catiewithac @Crazeedi @Bookwormjillk

Crazeedi Thanks for the tag ❤ 4y
madams421 @Crazeedi Of course! ❤️ sent out your letter yesterday! 4y
Crazeedi @madams421 yay! I'll be writing back!! 4y
Crazeedi @madams421 welcome to #litsylove ❤💙💛💚 4y
madams421 @Crazeedi thank you 💚💚💚 4y
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review
Gissy
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Panpan

Last book read for Middle Grade March, a group reading but I didn't participate. For me, this book has elements of The Life Of The Lazarillo De Tormes, The Hunchback of Norte Dame and Don Quixote with a bad combination-terrible.I have an unpopular opinion. Rating in GR is 3.7. Confused, cruel in the treatment Boy received, the end, I don't know what happened here😳I don't know if it is the best book for these ages.1.5⭐️you tell me if you read it.

Chrissyreadit How are you? Has PR been impacted by Covid 19? 5y
Gissy @Chrissyreadit Hi! Yes, we have been in quarantine since March 15. Only primary services buildings are open. It was supposed to end on March 30th but it was extended until April 12. New curfew is from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am., started this week where on MWF persons with pair number on car plates can go out and TTS the odd numbers.Sunday supermarkets are closed. But is necessary, 11 deaths already 😢What about you? How is everything? Your family? 5y
Chrissyreadit We are okay. I am working from home. We have really bad internet so there are challenges. How is your internet? I wondered about the impact since I suspect parts of the island may be more impacted than others. You have more deaths than our State. I hope your quarantine continues until the end of April. I worry because I think we‘ve just slowed it, there will still be a lot of illness to come. How is your family? I hope everyone is healthy and safe 5y
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Gissy @Chrissyreadit Internet goes and come but I think is a situation experienced around the world.I'm alone at home so I'm dealing with the situation establishing routines around the house cleaning, reading, having candles and flowers. Not watching too much tv, the necessary to keep me updated informed.Keeping in touch with family and friends but I'm a person that I'm usually alone so I think I'm managing pretty well.I hope this can be controlled soon 5y
Chrissyreadit @Gissy do you like the quiet? Have you done any zoom meetings? I bet we could put together a Litsy zoom if people wanted a virtual book meet up? School and work keep me busy but I‘m usually an extrovert by nature. 5y
Gissy @Chrissyreadit Yes, I'm pretty quiet, solitary person but of course I miss some outside activities and share with family and friends some time. But, this is necessary so we have to do it. My sister and friends are continuously sending humorous videos, in one clip a person was so happy because was going to take the trash out so was worried about the outfit to wear for that important task😂 That attitude can be healthy in these time. 5y
Chrissyreadit @Gissy that‘s hysterical!! I should dress up to go for a walk around the yard. 5y
Gissy @Chrissyreadit It was a joke but in my community we cannot go out only if you have a pet and soon as the pet do it's business you have to stay at home or if you have to pick up your mail. The gardeners cannot come either at least where I live and I have a friend that she told me is the same. That is in accordance with the Executive Order. 5y
Chrissyreadit Oh! We can go out in our yards. But I‘m surrounded by fields and farmland. I think it would be harder if I still lived in the townhouse. 5y
Gissy @Chrissyreadit Yes, however one of my friends lives in a big community with control access and they are operating the same.Persons in the country side or without control access have opportunities to walk around as you. But we are seeing the same operation with condos/townhouses around the world as I saw in Spain, Italy and even in US as NY. I hope we can control this situation soon. I'm grateful that we have a support reading group in Litsy😘 5y
Gissy @Chrissyreadit Do you use audiobooks? Which sources can you recommend me? 5y
Chrissyreadit @Gissy I do! I have a bunch of info for you- I use libro.fm to support small business and indie booksellers. BUT I have used audible in the past and right now they have free books for students- but anyone can access them. They have a better price too because they are linked to Amazon. Modern Mrs Darcy had a recent post with audio info- I will try to find it and link it here. 5y
Chrissyreadit This article includes a link for three books for price of one on libro.fm https://modernmrsdarcy.com/7-favorite-independent-bookstores-that-are-doing-grea... 5y
Gissy @Chrissyreadit Thank you!!!! 5y
31 likes15 comments
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amber_ldsmom
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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BucklingBookshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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I had no clue how this book would end — and still feel I missed some point the author was trying to make, but I loved this ending for our two main characters & the meditations on home in the last chapter or two. The idea of leaving home in order to really find it when you return resonates, especially for young people. I‘m old enough now to really embrace the idea of “settling down,” but getting there can be a journey in itself. #buddyread

smilingshelves Nice summary thoughts! I'm glad you took the lead on this one, because my main thought when I finished was "This was a weird book." ? It's like historical fiction but with an angel?? It really gave a picture of life in the Middle Ages, but then it turns out it couldn't really have happened after all. I mean, I believe in angels, but I don't think that's exactly how they'd show up on Earth... Or that someone could escape from Hell. 5y
smilingshelves And yes, I feel like I missed some profound point at the end, too. I'm kind of surprised the Newbery committee picked this one. I guess it goes with the pattern of preferring more literary books. I don't see a lot of kids really picking this one up and loving it. What do you think? 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves you made a lot of good points! I too liked the historical fiction aspect most and kinda gave the book the side-eye when I realized there were essentially supernatural elements lurking beneath. I think the book could have been just as good or even better if they were both just human, but on a similar quest. Though the author seemed to emphasize that Secundus wasn‘t a demon or anything like that, but “just a man” — which worked well. 5y
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BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I think there are kids who would like it, but I agree it was an unorthodox pick for the Newbery. Betsy Bird who‘s an author and kidlit reviewer wrote a great review of it before it won the Honor that‘s worth a read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2269889812 5y
smilingshelves That was a good review, especially the last paragraph! I follow her on Goodreads, but I honestly don't read many of her reviews because they're so long. 😀 Have you listened to her podcast with her sister? It's hilarious and one of my favorites! 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves you‘re right - they are sooooo long 😆 but when I‘m looking for an in-depth review of a MG book, I love checking hers out. I listened to the podcast from the beginning, but then sort of lost interest. I‘m not sure if it was the book selections or what — maybe I should check it out again and cherry pick a few episodes rather than letting it build up in my feed without listening to any of them! 🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y
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BucklingBookshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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This was such a touching moment, too. #buddyread

smilingshelves Yes! And I loved the talking to animals thing, how every kind of animal had a different way of talking. It was a nice touch. 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I didn‘t understand the animal thing at first, but once I knew what was going on, I liked it too. 5y
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BucklingBookshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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What a great moment this was! For a character I was so iffy about the whole way through, I like the way things turned out for Secundus. #buddyread

smilingshelves Yep, he turned out to be an all right guy. 😊 I loved the scene where he got him out of the tomb and Boy thought he'd be all concerned about the relics, but he was just glad that Boy was safe. That might have been my favorite moment of the whole book! 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I totally agree! “Neither are for sale. The pack is worthless!” (Or something like that was said right around that point) really got me. Definitely a high point. (edited) 5y
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BucklingBookshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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It‘s getting harder and harder to read holding my wiggly almost 7-month old, but she still lets me get away with it sometimes! I haven‘t been finding too many discuss-able moments/quotes so far, probably since the focus of this book is on the action of a quest, but I‘m hoping once we get to the end there will be more to talk about overall. How are you doing @smilingshelves ? I‘m up to chapter 24 and eager to get to the end! #buddyread

smilingshelves I'm on chapter 18, but go ahead and read away! I should have time to catch up tonight. There was an unexpected twist there at the end of part two, and I'm curious to see where this is going! Have fun snuggling your little girl as long as she'll stay still! 😀 5y
smilingshelves Okay, I caught up! My kids are finally to the point where I can read while they play in the sandbox. Well, my daughter did put sand in her mouth... But only once, so I call that a success! 😄 Are we trying to finish the book tonight? 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I‘d love to try to finish tonight! That sandbox trick sounds amazing to me! I find I‘m much less fazed by stuff in the mouth the second time around myself. 😆 My older one gave up his nap ages ago and it‘s kind of killing me now with 2! 😬🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y
smilingshelves My kids take naps at completely opposite times, so I rarely get an overlap. But at least I'm down to one kid for some of the day. That must be so hard to have no breaks from the energy! 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I do get breaks when my son goes to my in-laws once a week, but YES, so much energy! I miss the solo time I used to get during naptime quite a lot! (edited) 5y
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smilingshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Just when I really start to hate Secundus for how he's manipulating Boy, he does something endearing. He's turning out to be quite the complex character.

@BucklingBookshelves #buddyread

BucklingBookshelves Complex indeed! I‘m glad we are starting to learn more about him and him family. Seems there is more to him than meets the eye. But yes, when Boy asked ‘milord‘ if he was quacking 😆😆😆 — there have been a few unexpectedly funny moments for me so far! 5y
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BucklingBookshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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It‘s #buddyread time! So excited to dive into this one with @smilingshelves this weekend — and then we will have read all the 2019 Newbery titles! 📚📚📚

smilingshelves I'm excited to start! I probably won't get to it until tonight, though. We're going to Day Out with Thomas today, so my day will be taken up by a very excited three-year-old! 😄 5y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves oh my goodness, my son would LOVE that — I can imagine how excited your little guy must be! We have 2 birthday parties this weekend, so I‘m trying for an early start. I‘m only a chapter in and I‘m getting drawn in already! I think it will be a quick read — it‘s shorter than it looks if you see how the pages are formatted. 📚📚📚 5y
smilingshelves Thomas was amazing yesterday! Highly recommended if there's any railroad in your area that does it. I hope your birthday parties are a lot of fun. I only read a few pages last night. I was mainly trying to finish the book I was in the middle of (mission accomplished!). What page are you on? I'll try to catch up tonight. 5y
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BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I‘m only on page 34 right now! I am hoping to read a little more today/tonight — it seems fast -paced once I get the chance to actually sit down and read it! 5y
smilingshelves Oh, good! I'll aim for at least page 50 tonight. 😀 5y
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TheBibliophile1
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock

I love the way the author took the structure of stories similar to The Wizard of Oz and Planet of the Apes, and wrapped it up with biblical references, time period specific issues, and the curses of the human condition. I‘m 19 but still love reading some youth books such as this because I can learn something from almost any reading. Love the depth in this very simple novel!!!

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smilingshelves
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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@BucklingBookshelves Picked up my library hold today! When do you want to start? No rush, since it's not due until September. Just let me know what works for you!

merelybookish I'll be interested to hear what you guys think of this book. Its on my TBR. 5y
BucklingBookshelves I was just remembering it‘s buddy read month! How about the weekend of the 17th/18th? (Or that Monday if you‘re busy on the weekend) — I‘m trying to finish up a couple others for my library‘s adult summer reading program then I can focus a bit better! 📚🤓 5y
BucklingBookshelves P.S. The Modern Mrs Darcy challenge has a category to read a recommended book, so when a friend of mine asked for a recommendation for that challenge, I went with Merci Suarez (or the Vanderbeekers if she wants to wait closer to Christmas!) 📚📚📚 (edited) 5y
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smilingshelves @BucklingBookshelves 17th sounds good to me! I wonder if we have the same library summer reading program. I used this one for my book to movie adaptation. 5y
smilingshelves @BucklingBookshelves Merci Suarez is a great recommendation! I made sure my school library had a copy, and I can't wait to put it in kids' hands once school starts! 5y
BucklingBookshelves I think the ALA has a theme every year that lots of libraries use (A Universe of Stories this year) Not sure if all categories are the same everywhere but I settled on The Secret Garden and just borrowed the movie today! I‘ve been meaning to read Time Traveller for ages! 5y
BucklingBookshelves The 17th it is then! 📚📚📚 5y
smilingshelves @BucklingBookshelves Yup, ours is the same one! The Secret Garden is a great choice. I should reread that soon! 5y
BucklingBookshelves A reread would be fun! Of course now I know we have the same challenge I want to ask which books you picked for all the categories! 😆 I‘ll just stick with the science fiction in space one though — I may not even get to it but I had a hard time choosing and finally settled on CS Lewis‘ Out of the Silent Planet. I‘m reading The Enchanted Hour now for book published in 2019. I‘ll have to post my stack here when I‘m done 📚📚📚 (edited) 5y
19 likes9 comments
review
DrSpalding
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Mehso-so

I finished the book last Saturday. I was surprised that BOY was an ANGEL! Did any of you see that coming? He was so loyal to Secunda until the very end. The photo is in St. Peter‘s Cathedral and the tomb is down below. #UCFBC19

CherylVDM I finished the book as well. I wasn‘t surprised that BOY was not “human” considering all the things he didn‘t do... I thought that perhaps he was in the “in between” and his task was to guide Secundus. Throughout the book I made connections to the relics, Catholicism, and my own belief systems. Rib, Tooth, Thumb, Toe, Dust, Skull, Tomb ... 🏡 6y
Ehoffman I finished as well. As I said from the beginning, interesting book, but I don‘t think I would use it in the classroom. I did think Boy was there to “guide” Secundus, but was surprised that he was an angel! 6y
DrSpalding I guess I saw SOME signs like when his hump was growing but I didn‘t think Angel. What genre would you think this book would be? 6y
KarriW I really liked this book. I did not predict angel and was surprised (though not completely) at end of part 2. I loved the message at end and the focus on good. I liked the home/tomb mix - made sense toward end. I like the historical setting details. I think this would be hybrid - historical fiction/fantasy - though the faith side of me says not fantasy :). I think 5th / 6th and above. I liked it just as a piece of literature - thought provoking 5y
DrSpalding I agree Karri! ❤️📚 5y
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DrSpalding
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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In chapters 1-10 I was immediately enamored with Boy. He‘s pure of heart! He LOVES animals which many of us in this book club do and obviously cherished the idea of reading and books! I made T-W connections with the Hunchback of Notre Dame especially in light of the recent fires and with several other stories where children have disabilities and just want to be accepted. In latter chapters I was happy to see the pilgrim caring for him.

CherylVDM I‘m enjoying the text but am concerned about the safety of Boy. He is so sweet and caring. Secundus is evil but I‘m not sure why. 6y
DrSpalding Secundas has some redeeming qualities but he is surely using Boy to access the seven relics of St. Peter! 6y
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KarriW @CherylVDM I agree about Secundus though he did show some kindness to Boy. 6y
KarriW I love Boy‘s connection to animals. I keep thinking that “never reveal yourself” means more than just the hump. 6y
DrSpalding Oh… I agree Karri! 6y
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Ehoffman
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock

So, interesting book! I am enjoying Murdock‘s use of language. Looking forward to where the story takes us.... #UCFBC19

DrSpalding It is interesting but I don‘t think it would be a choice of mine for LCs...you? 6y
Ehoffman That‘s what I am thinking as well.... 6y
CherylVDM I agree. It has a “Game of Thrones” meets the Catholic Church vibe going for me. 6y
DrSpalding Yes for sure! Liz did you go to any of the Roman Catholic churches when you were in Italy last year? @Ehoffman 6y
Ehoffman We went to sooo many churches and duomos. All incredibly beautiful! Our favorite was the duomo in Orvieto! 6y
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DrSpalding
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Let‘s begin reading this tomorrow UCF CCIE colleagues. Post your thoughts here using the hashtag #UCFBC19. ❤️📚

review
ChristyM
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Pickpick

In the Holy Year of 1350 a special boy and a pilgrim journey from France to Rome on a quest for holy relics. I bought this middle grade book for my school library and I‘m afraid it‘s going to be a tough sell. The writing is lovely and the story moves quickly, with plenty of surprises, but my wonderful students are going to need some support to stick with it to the end. Lots of similarities with The Inquisitor‘s Tale (which never gets checked out).

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juliegumdrop
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Really enjoying this #middlegrade novel that takes place in the Middle Ages for #middlegrademarch

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Bookgoil
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Enjoying this book tonight as I wind down from a day out and about. Had a busy day with the dogs to keep them out of the way of our windows being installed and new patio door. Went to the park, a friends and then back. Even worked out tonight after all of that. They are very tired since we got home this afternoon. #dogsoflitsy

JoScho ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
britt_brooke 💚🐾 6y
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review
TracyReadsBooks
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Pickpick

If you liked The Inquisitor‘s Tale, you‘ll enjoy this MG read. Set in 1350, on the surface it‘s the story of Boy (yep, that‘s his name) who goes on an adventure with Secundus, a pilgrim collecting a group of relics on his way to Rome. At a deeper level it‘s a story of mystery, faith & belief, knowing yourself, redemption, acceptance & intolerance & much more wrapped up in tale about medieval Europe. Impossible not to❤️Secundus & Boy. A good read.

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TracyReadsBooks
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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“...but how can one try to be normal? Normal is what somebody is.”

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TracyReadsBooks
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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This was one of those days when work kept getting in the way of more important things such as reading. I did manage to get over to the new Jeni‘s Ice Cream which opened two blocks from our house. It‘s at Wrigley Field and they have a baseball themed ice cream—Popcorn! Peanuts!—you can only get at this shop. (It was delicious!) Now, it‘s back to The Book of Boy which I‘m really enjoying. Reminds me a bit of The Inquisitor‘s Tale by Adam Gidwitz.

tessavi Popcorn peanuts icecream sounds good! 7y
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TracyReadsBooks
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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Tamra Awesome cover 7y
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TracyReadsBooks
The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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One more library book to preview before Spring Break. The cover and the title certainly draw the eye.

Melissa_J This sounds good. 7y
Jabberwocky Such a good looking cover! 7y
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