From critically acclaimed author Catherine Gilbert Murdock comes an enthralling medieval adventure story featuring an unlikely young hero sure to win readers’ hearts.
With a hump on his back and an uncanny ability with animals, Boy has never really fit in with the other residents of his small village. And it doesn’t help that his past is shrouded in mystery. He is bullied and mistreated by everyone from the cook to the herdsman, and his only companions are the goats that he cares for at the manor he calls home. But all of that changes the day that Secundus, a pilgrim on a quest across Europe to gather seven relics of Saint Peter, sees Boy effortlessly climbing and jumping from trees, and enlists his help on the journey. Unsure about his motives, Boy is initially fearful of Secundus and what this perilous expedition might entail. But as they travel on together, facing all manner of challenges and triumphs, Boy begins to unravel the secrets of his origin and come into his own in ways that he never could have anticipated.
With a unique, multigenerational friendship at its heart and a style of writing that creates a convincing and immersive medieval atmosphere, The Book of Boy stands above the crowded middle grade adventure bookshelves. Murdock artfully strikes a balance between action and emotion, making for a well-rounded reading experience that has something to offer everyone.
