Reading the three books in Lois Lowry’s The Giver series years ago was truly one of my most cherished remembrances of my early reading experience. The first book, The Giver, holds a special place as one of my all-time favorite young adult/dystopian novels. So, I had purchased Lowry’s The Silent Boy years ago, but only recently did I have the opportunity to sit down and read it. As I delved into the story, it brought back a flood of nostalgia, reminding me of all the wonderful aspects of Lowry’s writing and her meticulous attention to detail in crafting a story.

Obviously, this book is quite different in terms of genre. The Silent Boy takes a historical fiction approach, centering around an elderly Katy Thatcher who narrates and looks back at her childhood in the early 1900s. She is interested in her father’s profession as a doctor and is also fascinated by a young boy named Jacob. Jacob is unfairly mocked by the townspeople due to his eccentricities, such as not speaking and his unique mannerisms. (Most likely, Jacob is autistic, although this term was not yet labeled in that time period.)

There is a certain somberness and bleakness to this novel, but I believe Lowry handles the very deep and complicated themes in a capable and sensitive way through Katy’s point of view. In many ways, Katy’s act of looking back and telling Jacob’s story seems to be a cathartic and therapeutic experience for her, as she attempts to come to terms with some very haunting moments in her life that have stayed with her. So, despite the definite presence of bleakness, this book serves as a great discussion piece for examining these deeper themes.

As Katy follows her father during his medical rounds in town, she begins to have encounters with Jacob and gains a better understanding of who he is. She realizes that he has a deep affinity and love for animals and a gentle way of working with them. She starts to form a friendship with him and tries to understand his mannerisms and his affliction. However, there is a tragic twist that unfolds in the latter portions of the story.

Although this book is marketed as a young adult novel, I think it’s important to caution readers that there are some very serious thematic moments and scenes that might not be typical of a young adult style read. Lowry does an excellent job of handling the difficult discussion points of disabilities, mental illness, and how people sometimes unfairly perceive others. I appreciate how she styled the book with a historical perspective, and through Katy as the first-person narrator, we are able to understand her feelings and experiences along the way. The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter are a nice addition, providing a snapshot of that time period.

Overall, I thought The Silent Boy was a powerful read. While it may not be as good as The Giver, it is still a solid novel. This edition also includes group discussion questions and an interview with Lois Lowry, which add to its value.

Personal Response:
This book truly piqued my interest. It made me delve deeper into the early 1900s. Initially, I had some reservations, but it turned out to be far better than I expected.

Plot:
In September 1910, six-year-old Katy Thatcher was celebrating her birthday. One fall day, she and her father went to the country to pick up their new hired girl, Peggy Stoltz, who grew up on a farm. Peggy had a thirteen-year-old brother, Jacob, who was a bit different. The Thatchers' neighbors, the Bishops, also had a hired girl, Nellie Stoltz, who was Peggy's older sister. Jacob had a special affinity for animals. One day, Katy found him by her horses and, instead of being unkind, she was nice to him and joined in. In April 1911, Katy's grandmother came to help her mother. Katy's school didn't allow boys and girls to play together, but at home, she and Austin Bishop would create games. One morning, Katy偷偷 went to the Stoltz's farm. She was warmly welcomed, and Jacob showed her around. Before she left, he gave her a kitten. Katy believed she would marry Austin. She also discovered that Nellie and Paul Bishop had a secret relationship. In August 1911, Nellie left the Bishop's and went back home. In October 1911, Jacob went missing one night. Katy's father searched for him, and her mother went to check on the newborn, Mary. It turned out that Jacob was hiding in Mary's room because he had killed Nellie's baby, thinking it was the right thing to do as he had been taught to drown unwanted animals on the farm. In the end, Katy married Austin Bishop.

Characterization:
Katy was a young, curious, and friendly girl. Jacob Stoltz, the thirteen-year-old, was a bit simple-minded. He preferred to keep to himself but eventually became friends with Katy.

Setting:
The story took place from 1908 to 1911. The Thatcher's house was on Orchard Street in a small rural town. In the early 1900s, there were no advanced hospitals for childbirth, and there were no adoption agencies to take in unwanted children.

Thematic connection:
The theme of friendship was prominent. Katy's kindness towards Jacob led to a unique friendship. Just being there for each other was enough. She also befriended Peggy and the entire Stoltz family.

Recommend:
I would recommend this book to both boys and girls aged thirteen to seventeen. It's not overly complicated, and although it contains elements of death, it can still be an engaging read for this age group.

A lot of people on here were talking about how inappropriate this book is for young children, and I couldn't agree more.

However, I teach middle school literature, and I have a different perspective. I will recommend this to my more mature 8th graders. They have already read books about the holocaust and the race riots, so this particular book is not going to be more disturbing than those.

In addition, I've noticed that there are lots of reviews on here that seem to imply that the Silent Boy killed the baby. But if you truly believe that, it's obvious that you did not read the same book that I read. In fact, the Silent Boy tried to save the baby. He took it to a "mother" who would care for it, just as they did with the lambs.

This shows that there are often different interpretations of a book, and it's important to read it carefully before making assumptions. As a teacher, I believe it's my responsibility to introduce my students to a variety of literature, even if it may be challenging or controversial at times.

Heartbreaking.

This simple word can carry so much weight and emotion. It describes a feeling that is truly difficult to bear.

I gave this a 3.5-star rating because, to be honest, I just wasn't in the mood to have my heart broken.

Sometimes, we go into a situation with certain expectations, and when those expectations are not met, it can leave us feeling disappointed and hurt.

But perhaps there is also a lesson to be learned from this experience. Maybe it will make us stronger and more resilient in the future.

Even though it was a heartbreaking moment, it is also a part of life, and we must find a way to move forward.

I keep stating that I'm not truly a fan of historical fiction. However, here's yet another one that I really relished. Let me just mention this right off the bat. As a mother of a high functioning autistic child, I truly valued the personality of Katy Thatcher. Katy is the young daughter of a doctor and aspires to follow in his footsteps one day. Her personality is characterized by patience and understanding. She doesn't always accept things at face value and perceives things more deeply than most children her age. Normally, a character like this might make me roll my eyes slightly (since she's just so sweet and good). But somehow, Lois Lowry crafted the character in a manner that makes me simply adore her.

Although the boy plays only a smaller role in the overall book, their relationship seems as if it is the entire book, and everything revolves around it.

Jacob Stoltz is 'touched in the head'. He doesn't communicate through words or writing. Instead, he makes noises and movements. He is quiet and reserved and has a great affection for animals and life itself. Perhaps it's this that forms a connection with Katy. Even though they don't spend a great deal of time together, Jacob will have an impact on Katy's life that will remain with her forever.

This is a wonderful read that will take you on a nice, smooth, emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end.

This is the third book that I have read by this author.

Just like other books penned by Lois Lowry, there is an underlying darkness in this story.

The story is narrated through the eyes of a young girl named Katy Thatcher, who is the daughter of a local doctor.

While on a call with her father, young Katy encounters a young farm boy named Jacob, whom some refer to as "touched."

The story of Jacob and Katy's interactions unfolds along a timeline, as Katy vividly describes the events that lead up to a tragedy.

I have a penchant for Lois Lowry's books, and although I preferred her other stories slightly more than The Silent Boy, it was still a worthwhile read.

Parents, I would suggest that you read this book first before deciding if it is suitable for your specific child, as the subject matter and events described in the story are rather sensitive.

Though I was still a child, we talked of the ways in which death comes. We discussed how it can arrive suddenly, like a thief in the night, or gradually, as if it is creeping up on us. And we also talked about how, perhaps not always but sometimes, a doctor could push death away. A doctor might be able to hold it back, using their skills and knowledge to keep a patient alive. Or, at the very least, a doctor could make it come easily, easing the pain and suffering of the dying.

Another beautiful, mysterious and heart-wrenching novel by Lois Lowry. Her words have the power to transport us to another world, to make us feel the emotions of her characters as if they were our own. This novel is no exception. It will make you think about life and death, about love and loss, and about the meaning of it all. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

The book I selected for my quarterly reading project was “The Silent Boy” by Lois Lowry. Lois Lowry is a renowned author with many award-winning works under her belt, such as “The Giver”, “The Messenger”, and “The Gossamer”, which are among my personal favorites.

In this story, the main character is a young girl named Katy. She grows up in a loving family consisting of her mother, father, older sister, younger sister, and older brother. From a tender age, Katy dreams of becoming a doctor like her father.

The family hires a girl named Peggy to work for them. Peggy’s younger brother, Jacob, who has special needs, has a unique connection with animals. Every night, he makes his way to Katy’s barn to lie with her horses. Katy, in turn, sits with Jacob in the stalls each night, and despite his silence, she feels a special bond with him.

One fateful night, Peggy’s sister gives birth to an unwanted baby. Jacob, in an attempt to help, travels 12 miles in the cold to Katy’s house to deliver the baby. However, something goes awry, and Jacob is committed to an insane asylum for a long time. Katy never sees him again.

I believe this book had great potential. However, I felt that there could have been more exciting events to keep the reader engaged. The story seemed a bit dull at times, and the introduction of Jacob was delayed until the second half of the book, which I found disappointing.

When I read the back cover of the book, it appeared very interesting, and I was eager to start reading. But in the end, I was left somewhat dissatisfied as it didn't meet my expectations. As I mentioned earlier, the book was supposed to be about Jacob and Katy, but Jacob's presence was not felt until halfway through. The first half mainly focused on Katy and her family's home life, which was rather mundane.

Even when Jacob entered the story, the flow wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. Nevertheless, I still think the book had promise. Given Lois Lowry's reputation for writing amazing books, I had higher hopes for this one. In terms of literary devices, the author mainly used metaphors to describe the town and certain items.

In conclusion, while I did enjoy reading “The Silent Boy”, I believe there is significant room for improvement. Compared to Lois Lowry's other outstanding works, this book doesn't fully showcase her writing potential. The concept was good, but the plot could have benefited from more twists and turns to make it less monotonous. I think if the book was longer, the main character was introduced earlier, and there were more exciting developments, it could have been an outstanding read.

The story seems to have all the elements that I ought to enjoy.

It is set during a historical time period filled with a great deal of change. This book should have been one that I relished as much as other works by Lowry.

Maybe this particular book wasn't the right fit for me at this precise moment in time. I discovered that it was lacking in emotional depth.

The employment of a child as the limited narrator likely contributes to that perception. I found the narrator's use of the word "touched" to describe Nelly's brother to be an offensive means of referring to individuals with developmental difficulties.

I desired to feel a connection to Jacob and all the troubles he encountered. Instead, I remained unyieldingly unmoved, even at the conclusion.

Certainly not my favorite.

If you have ever been to the early 1900's, you could probably relate to this book.

This fiction novel by Lois Lowry is targeted at people around the ages of twelve to eighteen.

As you race through the story, there are many speed bumps. Just when you start to understand the situation, another major event or conflict is thrown at you.

When you first begin the book, you might think it will be a boring historical one. However, once you meet the characters, it pulls you in.

A hardworking farm family faces trouble when their ambitious daughter comes home with a surprise. While they try to make extra money and solve the problem she brought home, a little boy tries to help but ends up destroying his own life and a few others.

I thought this book was well thought out, but some events were too disturbing for the target age group. Most people my age (13), especially girls, would find it very sad and horrific. I think a few might be too immature to understand the main concept.

Personally, I love this book, and I'm sure many others have and will. It is beautifully written and very detailed. Moreover, the entire story is a reflection of Katy's, the main character, past. It also provides insights into how people with autism and other mental disorders were treated.

Altogether, I thought this book was very entertaining, as I believe that was its main purpose, and very real. I had to remind myself it was a fiction story while reading.

You may have never lived in the early 1900's or even seen a black and white photograph, but when you finish this book, you'll feel like you grew up there.

Lois Lowry is a master at penning emotionally poignant stories that often have a twist you can sense approaching.

In "The Silent Boy", set in 1911, we are treated to a nostalgic look back at a bygone era. It's a time when life was simpler, yet it also presents a stark comparison between the impoverished rural caste and the privileged lives that exist side by side and sometimes intersect.

The titular character, the Silent Boy, is an autistic rural teen. He is frequently misunderstood by those around him. However, he finds solace and takes great care in the animals and the sounds and actions of the gristmill.

Contrary to his name, he is far from silent. Although he doesn't speak words, his actions are rich with meaning and easily interpretable.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version of this story, and I found the voice to be calm and utterly lovely, enhancing the overall experience of this beautiful and touching tale.

A Realistic Story of Growing Up in Rural America from 1915 - 1918

In the years between 1915 and 1918, life in rural America was a tapestry of hardships and simple joys.

For the people living there, growing up was a journey filled with challenges. The vast landscapes were both a source of beauty and a test of endurance.

Families worked hard on their farms, toiling from dawn till dusk to make ends meet. The children, too, had their share of responsibilities.

They helped with the chores, learned the ways of the land, and witnessed the struggles of their parents.

Despite the difficulties, there were moments of warmth and togetherness. Neighbors would come together to celebrate special occasions or to offer support in times of need.

This was a time when values like hard work, perseverance, and community were deeply ingrained.

The story of growing up in rural America during this period is a realistic portrayal of a bygone era, one that offers valuable insights into the lives and experiences of those who came before us.

It is a story that should be read and remembered, not listened to in an audiobook with a depressed-sounding woman's voice that might detract from the essence of the narrative.