Katy, a future doctor, had a poignant story to tell. Growing up in the early 1900's, she witnessed the lives of many, including that of a "touched boy" and others she knew.

Her experiences during that time were filled with both joy and sorrow. The "touched boy" had a special charm that drew Katy to him. She saw his struggles and his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

But it wasn't just the "touched boy" who left an impression on Katy. There were others in her life who also had their own unique stories. Some faced poverty, while others dealt with illness and loss.

Despite the hardships, Katy was determined to become a doctor and make a difference in the lives of those around her. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of following one's dreams. It is a story that is truly worthwhile and one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Love this story!

It is truly tender and revealing of the class differences that prevailed during the turn of the century. The story delicately portrays the lives and experiences of the characters from different social strata, highlighting the disparities in their opportunities, values, and relationships.

We see how the upper class enjoys a life of luxury and privilege, while the lower class struggles to make ends meet. The interactions between the two classes are often marked by misunderstandings, prejudices, and power imbalances.

Despite these differences, the story also shows that love can transcend class boundaries. The characters find themselves drawn to each other, despite the obstacles in their way. This aspect of the story adds a touch of romance and hope, making it all the more engaging and heartwarming.

Overall, this story is a beautiful and poignant exploration of class differences and the power of love in a bygone era. It offers a fascinating glimpse into a world that is both familiar and foreign, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

This is like a strange and rather absurd situation.

It's as if one were to market a classic and often quite profound and complex novel like "Of Mice and Men" towards children.

However, it's not really that straightforward.

"Of Mice and Men" contains themes such as friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression.

These are not necessarily concepts that are easily understood or appropriate for young children.

Yet, there could be aspects of the story that might capture a child's imagination.

Perhaps the relationship between George and Lennie could be seen as an unusual form of friendship.

But overall, marketing this book directly to children would require a careful consideration of how to present these themes in a way that is accessible and not overly disturbing.

It's a delicate balance that would need to be struck.

The Silent Boy is a truly captivating and poignant story that unfolds between 1910 and 1911, as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Jacob, a remarkable yet silent boy, is "touched" and shows no inclination towards human interaction. However, he possesses an extraordinary gift for handling animals and imitating the sounds of his environment. Katy, upon meeting Jacob, feels an immediate and profound connection, despite scarcely knowing him. Somehow, she believes she is the only one who truly understands him. This special bond will have a lasting impact on Katy, haunting her throughout her life.

My personal take on this book is that I am a huge admirer of Lois Lowry's writing, and The Silent Boy did not let me down. The narrative is beautifully crafted, and each chapter is enhanced by a small photograph that effectively transports the reader back to that era. While the ending, along with some other moments in the story, may seem a bit dark, I understand why some people might be concerned about the recommended age. Nevertheless, I don't think it's reasonable to rate the book only 1 or 2 stars simply because of this aspect. There is so much more to appreciate and discover within its pages.

As an author, Lois Lowry is indeed quite gifted. However, I must admit that I found this particular book to be a bit of a letdown.

The story is set in the early part of the 20th century, presenting a classic theme of loss-of-innocence during an innovative era in history. It had a certain resemblance to a wannabe "To Kill A Mockingbird".

There were several moments that I found quaint and captivating. For instance, Peggy's explanation of the drowning of the kittens provided some interesting insights into the characters' perceptions. However, many of these moments were marred by an over-stereotyped version of the time period.

The book was marketed to 5th - 8th graders, but I would not recommend it for a ten-year-old. The tale of a baby unloved by all except a severely "touched in the head" teenage boy, who accidentally suffocates the baby while trying to take it to his friend's house, is not suitable for middle-school children.

From the very first mention of Nellie and Paul being caught alone together, the plot was quite predictable and stereotypical, not at all what I would have expected from Lowry.

Nevertheless, it's not all bad. I did love the idea of taking photographs and writing stories about each one, which reminded me of Hemingway's writing style.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a story about classic loss-of-innocence, a judgmental community, an over-involved father, and a nearly absent mother, along with a more accurate portrayal of a time period, I would highly recommend "To Kill a Mockingbird" instead.

Personal Response- The Silent Boy is a rather ordinary and relaxing book for the most part. It is told from the perspective of a young girl, Katy, who is always full of curiosity about various things and sometimes struggles to understand certain concepts. The book offers an interesting different viewpoint on a traumatic event. However, it wasn't until the end that the story really picked up pace and became exciting. Everything seemed to happen in a flash. Overall, the book was easy to follow and quite enjoyable.

Plot- Katy, a young girl from a wealthy family, was in second grade and quite popular at school. One day, when she went to get their household helper, she noticed a boy. He was the new helper's brother, Jacob. Naturally curious, Katy had the opportunity to talk to him. They went to the mill together. Jacob was rubbing his knees, making a sound similar to that of a grinding stone. Every night, Katy would meet Jacob in their horse barn. Jacob never made eye contact or spoke, but he showed Katy their friendship by giving her a kitten. When Jacob's sister had a baby, he did what he thought was right. He had a special connection with animals. He took the baby from the sick mother and gave it to another nursing mother. However, in the cold night, when Jacob took his sister's baby to Katy's house, there was a great deal of commotion. As a result, Jacob was taken away and never seen again.

Characterization- Katy grows and develops throughout the book. In the beginning, being in second grade, she had only a limited understanding of the world, but she already knew she wanted to be a doctor. When she first saw Jacob, she could sense that he was different from the other kids at school. Despite the barrier between them, Jacob and Katy eventually became friends.

Setting- The Thatcher's house was located on Orchard Street in a small, rural town. The story took place in the early 1900s, a time when there were no advanced hospitals for women giving birth. Abortions were not an option, so adoption agencies were set up for unwanted children.

Thematic Connection- Jacob was simply trying to help the baby because deep down he knew it was the right thing to do. However, people misinterpreted his actions and ended up killing him. They thought he was trying to harm the baby, but Katy knew he meant no harm. This shows that people need to think before they act. Instead of immediately killing Jacob, they should have considered his intentions.

Recommendation- I recommend this book to anyone aged 12 and up. It is suitable for both genders. I suggest this age group because I believe they need to have a basic understanding of what life was like in the early 1900s. Additionally, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about a person's past experiences.

While this book was beautiful,

and it provided a useful look at autism before we began to understand it,

I think it is completely inappropriate for the age range for which it was written.

Reviews suggest grades 5 - 8, but the serious subject matter,

references to sex and a resulting pregnancy,

and a very horrific ending make this book only suitable for a YA audience.

Moreover, that audience must also be comfortable with a dark tale that has no real resolution.

In general, I found this book too gloomy to be enjoyable.

It seems that the author might have intended to explore complex themes,

but perhaps didn't consider the impact on the younger readers for whom it was initially targeted.

The combination of mature content and a lack of a positive or conclusive ending

can leave readers in a state of discomfort and dissatisfaction.

It's important to ensure that the books we recommend for different age groups

are not only engaging but also appropriate in terms of subject matter and tone.

This book, unfortunately, fails to meet those criteria for the intended age range.

This was the second book I read by Lois Lowry, and I truly relished it.

I was captivated by the unique manner in which Jacob and Katy interacted. Contrary to other readers, I didn't perceive it as "gloomy" or "dark" in the slightest. Katy constantly appeared happy and optimistic, and Jacob, for the most part, didn't seem overly moody either. The only aspect that could be considered dark or gloomy was towards the very end, when Jacob kills the infant and is dispatched to the Asylum.

Yes, it contains elements like pregnancy and murder that might seem a bit inappropriate for a certain age group. However, I believe we should approach this more from an emotional perspective rather than a physical one. I firmly believe this is one of those books where there are more words and thoughts than action.

The only two aspects that I didn't quite like were, first, the absence of a villain. As I previously mentioned, since this was more of an emotional book, perhaps it didn't necessarily require a traditional villain. The second thing was that the ending was shockingly unexpected and came out of nowhere. I think the beginning and middle should have gradually led up to the end, rather than Jacob suddenly turning "bad" in the last ten pages of the book. The ending seems to have no connection whatsoever with the beginning of the story.

But overall, this was an extremely good book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout my reading.

I really enjoyed this quick read. It was less than 200 pages, which made it a breeze to get through.

However, I must admit that I would have liked to have more. The story had me so engaged that I couldn't help but feel frustrated with how Jacob was treated.

He was constantly facing hardships and being mistreated, and it made me want to hit someone on his behalf. But at the same time, I do understand that the way he was treated was "typical" for the time and circumstances.

Despite all the difficulties, I loved Jacob's warm heart and his deep love for animals. It was truly endearing.

And let's not forget the pictures in the book. They were amazing and added another layer of beauty to the story.

Overall, it was a great read that left me wanting more. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and engaging story.

This story is set in the years 1910 - 1911, and the vivid descriptions of the sights and sounds truly bring the era to life. It is narrated from the perspective of Katy, a young girl who occasionally tags along with her father, the local doctor, on his house calls. As readers, we get to experience the sensation of riding in a buggy on a chilly day. Katy catches glimpses of lifestyles that are vastly different from her own, and she forms a gentle friendship with Jacob, a boy a few years older than her who has a developmental disability. The way the subject is dealt with is remarkable considering the times in which the characters lived. Katy is not afraid of Jacob, unlike many people during that era. She accepts his differences and enjoys his quiet company.

Although the story isn't solely focused on Jacob, his story weaves throughout, adding depth and poignancy. The entire narrative provides a wonderful snapshot of life in the early part of the twentieth century.

Jacob's story and his ultimate fate are highly believable for the era in which he lived, and it is truly heartbreaking.

I would definitely recommend this story. It is perhaps best suited for older children and serves as a great starting point for discussions.

Make sure to read the acknowledgements at the front of the book. They are related to the photos in the story, and knowing this enhances the reading experience even further.

Personal response: The Silent Boy is a rather calm book throughout most of its pages. It is told from the perspective of a young girl, Katy, who has a curious nature and struggles to fully understand certain concepts. The book offers an interesting different viewpoint on a traumatic event. However, it lacks excitement until the very end. The action suddenly picks up and then stops abruptly, without a proper build-up. It's like going from a flat line to a spike. Overall, it is an easy and enjoyable read.

Plot: Katy, a young girl from a wealthy family, is in second grade and popular at school. One day, when she goes to get the household helper, she sees a boy named Jacob, who is the helper's brother. Katy is curious about him and gets the chance to talk. They visit the mill together. Jacob has a habit of rubbing his knees, which makes a sound similar to that of a grinding stone. Every night, they meet in the horse barn. Jacob never makes eye contact or speaks, but shows their friendship by giving Katy a kitten. When Jacob's sister has a premature baby, he takes matters into his own hands. He believes it's the right thing to do, but his actions lead to a tragic outcome.

Characterization: Katy grows and develops throughout the story. In the beginning, she has a limited understanding of the world but knows she wants to be a doctor. When she meets Jacob, she realizes he is different from her school friends, yet she still becomes friends with him. In the end, when she discovers the truth about Jacob's actions, she shows maturity by understanding his reasoning and seeing him as a misunderstood individual.

Impacts of Setting: The town where Katy lives is a closed-off community. The first car arrives when she is young, and her father still practices medicine using a horse and buggy. In this time period, people have little understanding of those who are different. Jacob is seen as a nuisance, which adds to the complexity of the story. The setting helps to make the events and characters more believable.

Recommendation: This book is relatively easy to understand, making it suitable for readers around the age of 14. It presents an important concept that people with disabilities are still human beings and should not be looked down upon. Young readers can learn a lot from this book and gain a better understanding of the world around them.

Just wow!

I was truly taken on an emotional rollercoaster while reading this.

This is precisely what I adore about Lowry's writing.

She has this remarkable ability to write in such a simplistic manner, yet manages to make you experience almost every conceivable emotion.

The way she weaves the story and develops the characters is just outstanding.

It's as if you are right there with them, feeling their joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

This book will forever be etched in my mind and heart.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

It's a must-read that will leave you with a profound impact.

And definitely make sure to talk about it with others afterwards.

Sharing your thoughts and interpretations with others can enhance the reading experience even further.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed!