Men of Stone [Hardcover]

Gayle Friesen (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

In Gayle Friesen's powerful novel, 15-year-old Ben can't make sense of his life. He lives in a house full of women, yet he can't talk to girls. He tries to be a jock, but can't even make the co-ed volleyball team. And ridicule from the guys has driven Ben to give up the one thing at which he truly excels -- dance. Now, he's being bullied by a thug named Claude, who's found out about Ben's ballet classes. Ben feels his anger and frustration grow with each passing day. Then Great-Aunt Frieda comes to visit and Ben learns about the old woman's life in Russia. He's surprised at how Frieda dealt with the Men of Stone -- Stalin's agents who terrorized her community and family. As Frieda tells her powerful story, Ben begins to understand who he is and what kind of person he wants to be. But first he must get past the rage that has taken control of his life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-In this captivating tale, Ben Conrad, 15, confronts manhood and family. Raised in a household of four women, he finds his curiosity about his family history, including knowledge of his dad who died when Ben was five, sparked by an unexpected visit from his octogenarian Aunt Frieda. The boy learns of his Mennonite roots; his father's artistic talents; his mother's devastation by her husband's death; and his own talent as a dancer, which turns out to be part blessing and part curse. A local bully incites anger in the ordinarily restrained, sensitive Ben, and despite offers of help, he decides he must face him alone. In a journey of mind, body, and spirit, he learns to emphasize his strengths and conquer his weaknesses. The plot reveals itself through several characters but the message remains constant: Be true to yourself. The story is quick to read and engaging enough to interest even reluctant readers. Historical references to Frieda's life in Russia prompt readers to consider what it is like to be oppressed, whether by bullies in your neighborhood or in your government.
Lisa Denton, J. S. Russell JHS, Lawrenceville, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

The plot reveals itself through several characters but the message remains constant: Be true to yourself. The story is quick to read and engaging enough to interest even reluctant readers. Historical references to Frieda’s life in Russia prompt readers to consider what it is like to be oppressed, whether by bullies in your neighborhood or in your government. (School Library Journal )

Very well-written. (Kirkus Reviews )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550747819
• ISBN-13: 978-1550747812
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,270,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for middle schoolers!, April 8, 2002

By 

Michelle Robidoux "mspeach" (South Deerfield, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Men of Stone (Paperback)

This book tackles the theme of masculinity and what causes a boy to be a "man." As opposed to the Horn reviewer, I do not think this is a "not-so-new" theme. In fact, having worked with many young teen boys, I would recommend Men of Stone to most of them, as well as to most of the girls I know. True, masculinity has been addressed in previous works, but clearly the kids are not getting it. (Check out "Real Boys"). This book realistically and sensitively calls into question what it means to be a man in our society. Timely, as I watch the men of our world rattle their sabers and wage destruction.
Combines history and a good story line for a didactic, painless, fascinating read.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really Gooood, July 20, 2001

By 

Dennis (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men of Stone (Hardcover)

I found this book lying at my friend's house and picked it up to see what's it was all about. I knew that my friend was really into books and she read about a thousand of them everyday but this one book really intrigued me into getting a copy myself. I taught me some useful things but the only way to find out what the lessons are ou'll just have to read the book. Some passages made me sort of wonder a bit and thinking deeper into the situation. Ben is a likable narrator and can be related to quite easily.