A Difficult Boy (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780823420865)

Riveting historical fiction from a debut novelist about the friendship that grows between two young indentured servants, one of them Irish, as they struggle to survive their harsh master in nineteenth century New England. It is 1839, Nine-year-old Ethan does not want to work for Mr. Lyman, the wealthy shopkeeper in their small Massachusetts' town. But Ethan has no choice--it is the only way to pay off his family's debt to the man. Ethan tries to befriend the Lymans' other indentured servant, but Daniel, as everyone says, is a difficult boy. Sixteen years old, Irish, and moody, Daniel brushes off Ethan as if he were a pesky gnat. Ethan resolves to ignore the brusque older boy, but is then shocked to see how cruelly Mr. Lyman's blows, and the two boys have only each other. Will Ethan be able to save his friend? And will others finally have the courage to do what is right for this not-so-difficult boy?

Author: M. P. Barker
ISBN-10: 0823420868
ISBN-13: 9780823420865
Publisher: Holiday House
Language: English
Published: 04/15/2008
Pages: 298
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.08lbs
Size: 8.32h x 5.86w x 1.05d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.9
Point Value: 13
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 122584 / Difficult Boy

Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Voice of Youth Advocates 04/01/2008 pg. 41 - Recommended - Hard To Beat
Kirkus Review - Children 04/01/2008 pg. 352
Publishers Weekly 04/28/2008 pg. 138
School Library Journal 05/01/2008 pg. 119
Booklist 04/15/2008 pg. 55
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2008 pg. 416 - Recommended
Hornbook Guide to Children 10/01/2008 pg. 335 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Multicultural Review 03/01/2009 pg. 81
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2008 pg. 335 - Recommended, Satisfactory