I truly relished this YA book that delved into the story of a boy in the early 1900s. It was evident that he was autistic, yet in that era, no one had any understanding of what that condition was.

As we journey through the book, we obtain fleeting glances of him and come to know that he was a gentle soul with a good heart.

However, after an evening that took a tragic turn, everything was altered for him. Nevertheless, he managed to leave a profound impression on the protagonist, Katy. She is the one who shared his tale with us.

For me, this book serves as a poignant reminder that we should refrain from passing judgment on anyone and how certain individuals can have a tremendous impact on our lives. It makes us realize that beneath the surface, everyone has a unique story and a heart that beats with kindness and love. We should strive to look beyond the obvious and embrace the differences in others, for it is these differences that make our world a more beautiful and diverse place.

This great book, "The Silent Boy", was written by Lois Lowry.

Lois Lowry, the talented writer of this book, employs a very accessible language that makes it easy for readers to understand. The book is presented in a diary format, and it also features tiny pictures of its characters, adding a touch of charm.

The story is narrated by Katy Thatcher, an old woman who lived in 1987. In the book, she shares with the reader a crucial period in her life. Katy's father, a wealthy doctor, hires a maid named Peggy when his wife (Katy's mother) becomes pregnant. Peggy has a younger brother named Jacob, who is about five years younger than her.

As Peggy and Katy become good friends and start spending time together, Katy gets to know Peggy's family, including Jacob. Katy suddenly becomes extremely interested in Jacob, who never speaks to anyone, is considered "touched", but sings softly to himself and seems to have a special ability to communicate with animals.

Eventually, Katy and Jacob become such good friends that they are able to communicate with sounds. In the middle of the book, Jacob gives Katy a kitten, further strengthening their bond.

However, the ending of the book is rather strange and a bit sad. After being accused of doing something he didn't do, Jacob runs away from the village, and no one ever sees him again. This unexpected turn of events leaves the reader with a sense of mystery and a tinge of sadness.

Overall, "The Silent Boy" is a captivating and thought-provoking book that explores themes of friendship, acceptance, and the power of communication.

A wonderful historical fiction novel awaits readers.

This is a captivating story that revolves around a young girl's memory of a silent boy. Set against the backdrop of the 1910s, it skillfully intertwines the vast differences in lifestyle between white and blue collar workers and the fates of their families.

As we follow the story of Katy Thatcher, we gain insights into the harsh reality of farmers' children. They often had to drop out of school in their early teens and become hired hands to减轻家庭的负担. We also learn about the tragic misfortune that befalls a special needs child when he is not understood.

However, due to the adult theme of teen pregnancy present in the story, it is not advisable to recommend this novel to children under 15 or 16. Parents and guardians should exercise caution when considering this book for younger readers.

Well, that was truly tragic.

Told from the point of view of nine-year-old Katy Thatcher, this story offers a detailed look into the daily life of a young girl in the early 1900s. It not only showcases her ordinary days but also reveals a tragic story unfolding around her. Similar to To Kill a Mockingbird, we get to witness adult events through the innocent eyes of a young girl. The silent boy mentioned in the title is the brother of their maid, Peggy. He is a mysterious figure who doesn't speak, and it seems likely that he has autism. One day, something tragic occurs as a result of his actions, and he is sent to an asylum. Despite this, Katy bravely stands up for him, showing her kindness and compassion. The book is filled with great detail, which makes it easy to picture Katy's world. However, it does seem that not much is happening until the last few chapters. At times, there isn't a strong conflict to hold the story together. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed Katy's perspective and the insights it provided into that era.

I really need to stop rating every book five stars!!!! But goodness, do I love short and charming books. This one was no exception. I didn't realize this book was due in like three days, but that didn't ruin it for me at all. In fact, it might have even added a bit of excitement as I raced to finish it. The story was engaging from start to finish, filled with interesting characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was beautiful, with just the right amount of description to paint a vivid picture in my mind. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read. It's one that I will definitely be thinking about for a long time to come.

This is a truly remarkable book.

As I delved into its pages, I was struck by the profound meaning it seemed to hold.

The story was engaging from the very beginning, drawing me in and making me eager to discover what would happen next.

However, when I reached the ending, I was left with a sense of sadness.

The conclusion was rather complex and it took some effort on my part to fully understand all that had transpired.

Despite this, I still believe that the book is a great piece of literature.

It challenges the reader's mind and makes them think about various aspects of life.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and immersive world that the reader can easily get lost in.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading thought-provoking and engaging stories.

This is a short yet exquisitely written book that manages to convey a wealth of information in just a few pages.

At the beginning of each chapter, black and white photos offer a fascinating glimpse into how children looked in the early 1900s.

While some might consider certain passages to be "quaint," Lowry employs phrases from everyday language. For example, instead of saying "throw a load in" as we do today, laundry in those days took the better part of the morning to complete. It had to be soaked, washed, and hung out to dry, which was a real challenge, especially in the winter.

Most clothing was handmade rather than store-bought, and redoing collars was an effective way to extend the life of a dress.

Birthday parties were remembered from year to year and were much simpler than today's elaborate celebrations.

Pregnancy was not a topic that could be openly discussed around children.

Autos were a new invention and not yet fully trusted for their reliability.

Children played simple games, and if they were different from other children, they were often unjustly blamed for things they didn't do, being labeled as "touched" or addled.

Katy Thatcher recalls all these details as she shares her memories of the silent boy who, in our modern world, would likely be diagnosed with autism.

One knows early on the ultimate fate of the silent boy. But this book illuminates the why in an explosive event.

Early on, I was so certain of what that event would be that I told a friend. "I know how the book ends." He would never read the book as he's not a reader, so I shared it with him. There is this fact set up in the story, along with this fact and this obvious conclusion, which made me really sad.

I was wrong. Lowery's masterful storytelling leads you one way and suddenly you are drawn another. Both endings are sad, but one is sadder, to me, than the other. As I told my friend what I thought the ending was, I felt a pang of sadness. When I told him the actual ending, my eyes were "leaking" and my voice was cracking. And I don't normally cry with books or movies (though more likely with books).

The silent boy was a majestic character. Although he is only a direct character, he ultimately dominates the heart of the main character. Through her view of him, we come to value and love this silent boy. It is a story that will touch any tender heart. It makes you reflect on the power of human connection and the unexpected turns that life can take.

This is a truly timeless story-telling book that vividly showcases the compassion related to mental illness.

The illness of the boys is deliberately left untold, which ingeniously enables young adult readers to infer the severity of his condition through Katy's friendship with the boy, Jacob.

This story not only introduces the concept of death to young readers but also weaves a path that leads to a happy ending, encompassing elements of tragedy and the beautiful act of giving and receiving love.

Set in 1908, Lowry further enriches the reading experience by adding a photograph to set the scene for readers and provide background information on the time-period.

A wonderful teaching idea that can be derived from this book is to incorporate compassion and communication as an activity take-away lesson. This would not only enhance the students' understanding of the story but also help them develop important life skills.

By engaging with this book, young readers can embark on a journey of discovery, empathy, and personal growth.

I read this many years ago and, for the life of me, could not remember the name of the book or the author or anything except for some of the broader plot points.

Now, after all this time, I've finally found it and it's time to reread it.

I am a little surprised to discover that it's marketed for children, considering what I remember of the plot.

However, when I think about when I first got ahold of it, it makes sense.

Perhaps at that age, the story was presented in a way that was accessible and engaging for a younger audience.

But now, as an adult, I'm curious to see if my perception of the book will change.

Will I notice details that I missed as a child?

Will the story still have the same impact on me?

These are the questions that are running through my mind as I prepare to embark on this reread.

I'm excited to see how this book holds up and to rediscover the magic that initially drew me to it.

I was truly kind of disturbed by this particular tale.

It is recounted by Katy, a young girl who lived at the turn of the century. The story is about a boy named Jacob, the so-called “silent” boy. He is what modern people would describe as mentally challenged. He doesn't speak any words, yet he has the remarkable ability to accurately replicate the sounds he hears. For instance, he can imitate the sound of a grindstone in motion or a horse’s whinny with great precision.

This is by no means a light read. In fact, it may be one that will haunt me for a very long time. I can't really explain why without revealing the ending. However, if you've had the chance to read it, you most likely understand what I mean. There is no happy ending to this story. Right from the start, Katy warns the reader that most would find this tale “too depressing”. And it's not just depressing; it's definitely very sad. The story is well-written, but the overall tone and the events that unfold make it a truly heart-wrenching and sorrowful piece.