The Silent Boy

Lois Lowry

Apr 2003 · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

About this ebook

From a Newbery Medal winner, a novel of tragedy and friendship in a turn-of-the-century farm town, “narrated by a perceptive, large–hearted child.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
Katy Thatcher, the bright and curious daughter of the town doctor, was fascinated by her father’s work, and even as a child she knew that she too wanted to be a doctor. She wanted to know about people. Perhaps it was this, her insatiable curiosity, or simply the charm of Jacob’s gentle intimacy with animals large and small, that fueled their friendship.
 
Although Jacob never spoke to her or even looked at her directly, Katy grew to understand him from the moments they spent together quietly singing to the horses. She knew there was meaning in the sounds he made and purpose behind his movements. So when events took an unexpected and tragic turn, it was Katy alone who could unravel the mystery of what had occurred, and why.
 
A two-time recipient of the Newbery Medal, the New York Times-bestselling author of Number the Stars presents a sensitive, moving story of a young girl growing up at the beginning of the twentieth century and the influence of the farm community around her. Through Katy’s eyes, readers can see the human face so often hidden under modern psychological terminology and experience the haunting impact of her friendship with the silent boy.
 
“The author balances humor and generosity with the obstacles and injustice of Katy’s world to depict a complete picture of the turn of the century.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Ratings and reviews

So this is probably going to be a review more than description. (Heads up) I was fairly disappointed the description lied. It said something tragic would happen which it did just not till the very end. It was somewhat boring and Lois Lowery almost tried to hard. Plus the immoral of the other characters could have been avoided. Would this be one I would reread probably not. Like I said interesting book just don't waste your money. If you want to read get it from the library.

Oh my ! This book is good . Is sad , and could very well make you cry ! Dont Forget people! This book is now on your 'Must Read 'list. Also read ' A Summer to Die '

I loved this book! It is a touching and turns into an eye opening, heart wrenching story. Lowry does a fine job of depicting the treatment of an autistic boy well before there was an understanding and fight for people who have disabilities.

About the author

Lois Lowry is known for her versatility and invention as a writer. She was born in Hawaii and grew up in New York, Pennsylvania, and Japan. After several years at Brown University, she turned to her family and to writing. She is the author of more than thirty books for young adults, including the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received countless honors, among them the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Reader’s Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, NUMBER THE STARS and THE GIVER. Her first novel, A SUMMER TO DIE, was awarded the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award. Ms. Lowry now divides her time between Cambridge and an 1840s farmhouse in Maine. To learn more about Lois Lowry, see her website at www.loislowry.com