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Boy O'Boy

A story of resilience and friendship in challenging times.

Brian Doyle author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada

Published:10th Mar '05

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Boy O'Boy cover

This poignant story follows Martin O'Boy as he navigates family struggles and friendship in post-war Ottawa, ultimately finding healing and justice in his life.

In Boy O'Boy, we follow the challenging life of Martin O'Boy, a young boy navigating the complexities of family and friendship in post-war Ottawa. Martin is grappling with the recent loss of his beloved Granny, the turmoil in his home due to his parents' constant fighting, and the burden of caring for his incapacitated twin brother, Phil. As the one his mother relies on, Martin feels the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, making life all the more difficult.

Despite these challenges, Martin finds solace in the company of his best friend, Billy Batson, who is also known as Captain Marvel. Together, they escape into the world of movies and the adventures of childhood. Their neighborhood is alive with the excitement of returning soldiers, parties, and the chaos of life after war. Yet, Martin's life is not without its complications, especially when he and Billy join the church choir as summer boys, led by the peculiar organist, Mr. T.D.S. George, who seems to take a special interest in Martin.

As the story unfolds, Martin's pure heart and the love he carries from his Granny guide him through the trials he faces. With the support of his friends and the hope of a brighter future, he learns to confront the injustices around him, ultimately leading to healing for himself and those he cares about. Boy O'Boy is a touching tale of resilience, friendship, and the journey toward self-discovery amidst life's hardships.

...Doyle's genius lies in the ability to temper his humorous nostalgia with a razor-sharp edge. * Vancouver Sun *
...Doyle's writing is consistently lyrical and beautiful. He is able to convey through character dialogue a consistent and clear picture of setting and timeline. * CM Magazine *
...one of our finest writers for children...Here's a novel of richness, a mature artistic expression. * Toronto Star *
An extraordinary writer, he neatly walks the fine line between tragedy and comedy, almost seamlessly melding them. * Quill & Quire, STARRED REVIEW *
Doyle can suck readers into a world like nobody else...his city neighbourhood teems with moments of vigorous human existence... * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *
Doyle proves he is more than an award winner. He is a daring writer who skates on some dangerous ice, whirls through some complicated moves and is triumphant. * Guelph Mercury *
This is a heartbreaking book of uncommon beauty - not an unusual thing coming from Brian Doyle, but remarkable nonetheless because it gets straight to the heart of evil with extraordinary clarity and delicacy, and without a drop of sentimentality. * Globe and Mail *
With a writing style that gives a realistic impression of a story told by a child...Doyle pulls in the reader with descriptions and dialogue perfectly representative of the time. * Amazon.ca *

  • Winner of NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature 2004 (United States)
  • Winner of Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People 2004 (Canada)
  • Winner of CLA Book of the Year for Children Award 2004 (Canada)
  • Winner of Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award 2004 (Canada)
  • Commended for Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice - Best of the List 2005 (United States)

ISBN: 9780888996541

Dimensions: 190mm x 127mm x 12mm

Weight: 170g

162 pages

First Trade Paper Edition