Window Boy [Hardcover]

Andrea White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Set in 1968, this touching novel tells the story of Sam Davis, a young man with cerebral palsy who peers though his bedroom window every day at the school he longs to attend. With great determination and the help of both his caretaker and his imaginary friend, Winston Churchill, Sam not only succeeds in gaining admittance to the school and the acceptance of his peers, but also fulfills his dream of becoming the school's basketball coach. The narrative, full of poignant insights into attitudes toward people with disabilities, provides a glimpse into the life of Winston Churchill, who is a key inspiration for young Sam.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–8—Sam Davis, confined to a wheelchair by crippling cerebral palsy, has two passions: basketball and the life of Winston Churchill. His beloved nurse cum companion, Miss Perkins, lived through the war in England and reads him multiple biographies of the prime minister as she shares her own stories of war-torn London. The novel is set in the 1960s, prior to the advent of the law mandating education of all children, and Sam is precluded from attending public school. When Miss Perkins offers to accompany him in the classroom, he finally has a chance to show what he can do. He wins over his reluctant teacher, but is unable to convince the principal that he should stay. In the midst of his struggles at school, his mother leaves the country with a new male friend and places him in an institution for children who are mentally disabled. White has created a 12-year-old with a vast life of the mind, making up for his physical disabilities. In spite of his many hardships, Sam perseveres and does not merely survive, he thrives. Strong character development is combined with an accurate representation of the lack of educational opportunities for those who were physically and mentally disabled pre-IDEA. The interweaving of Churchill's voice and strength of personality adds to the depth of the plot and allows Sam to have an intellectual companion, given the absence of any friends his own age.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
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Review

"White has created a 12-year-old with a vast life of the mind, making up for his physical disabilities."  —School Library Journal

"An excellent book."  —FLYP Forward, Florida Library Youth Program Newsletter

"The inspiration that White provides to adolescents is endless."  —Houston Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bright Sky Press; First Edition edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933979143
• ISBN-13: 978-1933979144
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,385,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WINDOW INTO CHURCHILL..., May 15, 2008

By 

Jonathan Sandys (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Window Boy (Hardcover)

'Window Boy' is a fantastic introduction into the life of my Great-Grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill. It completely encapsulates the principals of 'NEVER SURRENDER!' and 'DETERMINATION!' that he lived by. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. 'Window Boy' is a must read for any person of any age, especially a Churchill fan.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and moving story of hope and perserverance, May 5, 2008

By 

Kathryn L. E. Rabinow (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Window Boy (Hardcover)

As a grandparent of four grandsons I began to read the book with a sceptical eye. Thinking that the topic of an early adolescent boy with cerebral palsy who has an inpoverished single mother would be depressing I brought a cup of tea and a box of chocolate truffles to the sofa table to 'help me get through' the book. Although I did indulge in the truffles I needed nothing to get me through this interesting and fast moving 'read'. Andrea White has a deft understanding both of the mind and emotions of an preadolescent boy and of the power of people who love and believe in someone to empower that person to cope with and overcome obstacles. This book is a little bit of a fantasy-- with a lot of historical Churcillian 'tidbits'delightfully worked into the story line, But the book is also realistic and optimistic enough that I, who as an academic focused on child development, have purchased several copies of this book and sent them to friends who have a child with cerebral palsy in their families. Window Boy is a book written for children and teen age readers but it is also an important book to be read by adults who work with CP children and by those who interact with them. And, of course, the book should be read by all who love such individuals.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope, Determiniation, and Love Conquer All, May 26, 2008

By 

Becky B. Ferguson (Midland, Tx) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Window Boy (Hardcover)

I read Window Boy over the weekend and LOVED it. Sad and uplifting. The depiction of Sam, locked in a body with an active mind, so misunderstood broke my heart. Add to that a self-absorbed mother and it was almost too much. But the nanny and the comparison to Churchill's heartbreaking childhood brought hope to the story, as did the evolution of the teacher's feelings for Sam. And I liked that Sam is an extreme version of all of us - wishing at least someone would really know us and not just see us. This book was an ispiration to me - a reminder to persevere, to be kind and to look beneath the surface. It will inspire children - especially those for whom school and life are not a cakewalk. I've ordered five for some youngsters in my life.