Benjy's childhood in rural Arkansas is enriched by the special times he spends with his grandfather, but it is not until his grandfather's death that an old family secret is revealed.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Benjy King isn't sure why his grandfather is so unpopular with everyone in town. Grandpa says it is because people are jealous of his wealth. Others, including Benjy's parents, hint that there are other reasons. The only thing Benjy knows for sure is that he loves spending time fishing and talking with his grandfather, who lives nearby. Spanning eight years, this leisurely novel traces Benjy's ups and downs as he attempts to find out the truth about Grandpa King's past. The rural setting and unsentimentalized portrayal of life and death gives the story the same earthy quality evoked in Lilies of the Field and The Day No Pigs Would Die. Some isolated events prove meaningful, but Benjy's coming of age is awkwardly presented; evidence of his maturation occurs rather suddenly when, in the end, family secrets are revealed. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-- The warm bond between Benjy King and his grandfather grows over the years they spend fishing together, sharing dreams and encouragement. Yet increasingly the boy becomes aware of the terrible rift between his parents and his grandfather, and of hatred throughout the county for the older man. Tension provoked by that mystery pervades the narrative from Benjy's first day of school until, when he is 16, his grandfather dies. At heart, this is a story of relationships--abused and severed between father and son, cherished and nurtured between grandfather and grandson--the latter in obvious repentance for the former. Smoothly unfolding adventures, together with the compelling quality of revealed character and the bittersweet pattern of unhealed family, set this apart from a plethora of other intergenerational stories. The writing is simple, reflecting a rural Arkansas accent of 40 years ago, but the message is charged and memorable. Even older reluctant readers will find substance here. --Katharine Bruner, Brown Middle School, Harrison, TN
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
J. Rhodes is my teacher.,
By Jess'ca (Pine Bluff, AR USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The KING BOY (Hardcover)
J. Rhodes or Coach Rhodes as she is known to us, her students is a very good writer and an amazing teacher. I think the book, The King Boy paints a perfect picture of life in a small southern town and shows some of the hardships along the way. This book is truly amazing as is Coach Rhodes,she has inspired many people in her career.
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