From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 6-9–Boyce's second novel is written with the same charm and deadpan humor as
Millions (HarperCollins, 2004). Dylan Hughes is the only boy living in Manod, an uneventful Welsh town of drizzling grayness that he thinks is full of Hidden Beauty. His best buddies are two agoraphobic chickens named Michelangelo and Donatello after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His family runs the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel garage. When the business falters, his father takes off, and Dylan, Mam, his older sister, Marie, and his aspiring criminal genius younger sister, Minnie, try to make Oasis more profitable so that he will return. Flooding in London causes the National Gallery to evacuate its paintings to the safety of Manod's mine. (An actual evacuation to the Manod slate quarry occurred during World War II.) Lester, the art expert in charge, takes a shine to Dylan as an art connoisseur on hearing the chickens' names. When he agrees to put one masterpiece at a time on view, the villagers' lives are changed. Minnie concocts a hilarious scheme to nick Van Gogh's
Sunflowers, replacing it with a paint-by-number affair. All gets sorted out and Dad comes home. The colorful characters steal the show–even the secondary players are cleverly drawn. But it is Dylan's narrative voice, with its unintended humor, appealing naïveté, and expression of absolute belief in his dad that is truly a masterpiece.
–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From AudioFile
In a Welsh mountainside town a family struggles to maintain both their business and familial bonds. Other elements of this energetic novel include a repository for works of art from the National Gallery, Ninja Turtle lovers, football, and a bit of thievery. The concoction is fast paced, humorous, and poignant as young Dylan lays himself on the line for his family. Jason Hughes takes on the characters and situations, deftly creating personalities and narrative drive. One marvels at the craftiness of sister Minnie, the wisdom of the lone schoolteacher, the optimism and determinism of narrator Dylan, and the humorous confusion over famous artists, Turtles, and free-range chickens. Appreciation for the power of fine art shines through all. A.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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