Thirteen-year-old Martin Boyle struggles to break a family curse after discovering that he has only 12 weeks to live.
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Dec 15, 2011
Chris
rated it: 
What if you discovered you only had three months to live? And what if you were also guaranteed safe for the full three months, no matter how recklessly you lived? How would you spend your time?
That’s the scenario Martin faces. Martin Boyle, from a long line of Martin Boyles. He’s always been a timid germophobe, afraid to try anything daring or even slightly dangerous, protected by his even more crazily phobic mom. She sees danger in everything, but now Martin knows he’s safe from More...
That’s the scenario Martin faces. Martin Boyle, from a long line of Martin Boyles. He’s always been a timid germophobe, afraid to try anything daring or even slightly dangerous, protected by his even more crazily phobic mom. She sees danger in everything, but now Martin knows he’s safe from More...
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Oct 02, 2011
Lesa
rated it: 
I didn't like "The White Knight," or the story within the story, and I also found the book a bit rushed toward the end. Up till the last couple of chapters, though, the pacing was great.
I really enjoyed the characters, even the OCD mother and the father who'd rather be at a Civil War reenactment than with his own family, but I especially enjoyed Martin Boyle and his vagrant friend Poole.
Martin has to figure out the mystery surrounding his name so that he c More...
I really enjoyed the characters, even the OCD mother and the father who'd rather be at a Civil War reenactment than with his own family, but I especially enjoyed Martin Boyle and his vagrant friend Poole.
Martin has to figure out the mystery surrounding his name so that he c More...
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Sep 09, 2011
Jill
rated it:
First I (Jill) must say, that I bought this book strictly because of the book trailer. I thought it was awesome. And I showed it to my son, Luke. After he watched it, he nodded at me, and I ordered the book. So, here is the trailer, for your viewing pleasure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5qQ5WFs_...
Martin Boyle lives a crazy life. His mother is a germaphobe and his father is never home—always off reenacting Civil War battles, his best friend is trying to steal the girl he l More...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5qQ5WFs_...
Martin Boyle lives a crazy life. His mother is a germaphobe and his father is never home—always off reenacting Civil War battles, his best friend is trying to steal the girl he l More...
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May 10, 2011
Debbie
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I received this book from a good reads contest.
There is a tradition in Martin Boyle’s family that the first son born is named, Martin. Martin’s family
isn’t normal. His father reenacts war battles, his mother is obsessed with germs and makes sure the rest
of her family is sanitized, and his sister is a little bit like her mom but not at the same extent. When the
family visits some of relatives in the country, Martin realizes at the cemetery that when one Martin is
More...
There is a tradition in Martin Boyle’s family that the first son born is named, Martin. Martin’s family
isn’t normal. His father reenacts war battles, his mother is obsessed with germs and makes sure the rest
of her family is sanitized, and his sister is a little bit like her mom but not at the same extent. When the
family visits some of relatives in the country, Martin realizes at the cemetery that when one Martin is
More...
Mar 25, 2011
Precious
rated it:
With the charm and humour of a cartoon, The Last Martin made me laugh, worry, paranoid and scared. Martin Boyle, a young teenager, was cursed. The countdown to his cousin’s birth was the countdown to his death. He has succumbed to the germ-free ways of his mom, hiding in his shell and keeping himself safe. To his school mates, he was the weird kid who never speaks, never gets in trouble – plain, ordinary and forgettable. Because he only had a few months left, he strived to enjoy life.
T More...
T More...
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Apr 21, 2011
Brenda
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I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads first-reads program. The Last Martin is a rather odd story of a very odd boy named Martin Boyle. Martin is certainly no ordinary boy and neither is his family. You see when Martin was born, he was born dead and it was his mothers tears that brought him back. Then his father did what all Boyle's do and raised his son and proclaimed “I name you Martin.” Martin's mother is not your typical mother, she has a paranoia of germs and instills som
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Apr 18, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
With a deft turn of phrase, Jonathan Friesen begins the story of a 13 year old boy beginning a new phase in his life. As an exploration of a young man's maturation, and as a contemporary young adult fantasy, this book captivates and enlightens as it entertains. At the core of the book is Martin Boyle and his anxiety over not just school, girls, popularity, and gym class, but also breaking away from the overprotectiveness of his mother.
Friesen's direct writing style and imaginati More...
Friesen's direct writing style and imaginati More...
Jul 14, 2011
Cindi
rated it:
Martin has lived a very protected life. His mother is a germaphobe and thus makes sure that Martin isn't subjected to germs by touching anything without the hand sanitizer nearby. He isn't allowed to climb trees, build forts, or even ride a bike for fear that danger will befall him. But all that changes when Martin realizes that when his newest cousin is born, a little boy, that his life will come to a screeching halt because of a family curse. Only then does Martin really begin to liv More...
Jul 12, 2011
Lydia
rated it:
His name is Martin Boyle. While his father spends all his time at war reenactments; his mother spends all her time making sure no germs enter the family life. After all, Martin was born dead - his life now a miracle. Each year his father insists on going to the family cemetery to honor the fallen members of the Boyle family. Repeatedly, Martin hears "There shall only be one Martin". But his Aunt Jenny is pregnant and they know it is a Boyle who will be named Martin. This Martin has to
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Jun 03, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
I was lucky enough to win this book from goodreads. There's always a Martin. One Martin. Martin Boyle already has plenty to worry about. His germaphobic mother keeps him home from school if she hears so much as a sneeze, and his father is always off somewhere reenacting old war battles. Julia, the most beautiful girl in school, won't even speak to Martin, and the gym teacher is officially out to get him. Which is why Martin really doesn't need this curse hanging over his head. On a trip to the f
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Jan 14, 2012
Amaris
rated it:
I received this book through good reads give aways- let me be the first to say... I know what ur thinking. I mean just look at the cover !!! NOW- just ignore the cover and read the first 5 pages. That's right- you weren't expecting to hear the inner thoughts of the most hilarious, witty young boy that in hearts, one way or another - somehow relate to. This book was an absolute gem. To the author Jonathan Friesen: Don't stop writing. do not give up hope. You are absolutely amazing. If your books
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Dec 19, 2011
Katrina
rated it:
Martin Boyle. There is only one Martin Boyle and there always will be. Martin Boyle is 13 and has an overprotective mom that is also a germaphobic, an annoying sister, and a dad that is into civil war reanactments. Martin and his family went to a graveyard full of dead Martin Boyles. The years are close in death and next Martin's birth. Martin found out he is doomed he will die when his cousin is born. Then one day when Martin was painting the boxcar a stange kid came out and said he lived in th
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Dec 29, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Martin Boyle has a problem. Actually, he has two. The first he can do something about: his overly protective mother, who insists he wear a portable airbag on the school bus, who sprays antibacterial lotion on everything, and who has the well-deserved nickname "The Barn Owl". His other problem is that there's a family tradition/curse, wherein there can only be one Martin Boyle - when a new one is born, the old one dies. His aunt is pregnant with yet another Martin Boyle, limiting th
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Jun 14, 2011
Latricia
rated it: 
I'm really liking this book. It is charming and reminds me of Hoot in a way. There is an interesting and dynamic 'vagrant' character (Poole - Last Martin and Mullet Fingers in Hoot) which helps a lonely main character (Martin - Last Martin and Roy in Hoot) conect with more. The plots are not similar and the characters don't feel like copies or imitations, but the quality of the writing and the feel of the two books link them in my mind. The Last Martin should definitely be on your reading list t
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Apr 30, 2011
Paula
rated it:
This is a funny book about kids taking control of their lives and breaking a curse in the process. The plot is far-fetched, but the writing is readable and fun. I really liked the knight's tale written by the boy Martin. Its serial unfolding became more interesting as the story deepened. My biggest complaint was that all of the adults were unbelievably unconnected or overtly hostile. It left a bad taste that didn't jibe with the lightheartedness of the pace and wit of the story.
Jan 26, 2012
Bridget
rated it:
A great book about a boy named Martin who's convinced he'll die from the family curse as soon as his baby cousin, Martin-to-be, is born. After all, the curse says there can only be one Martin, and the family's gravestones prove it. Martin takes life by the horns when he realizes he can't die yet-- defying his mother's claustrophobic, over-protective ways and hunting for the cure to the curse with the help of a very diverse group of friends.
Aug 15, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
I won this book here on Goodreads, and I am SO GLAD I did. This was a fun, fun story--I loved it. The voice is excellent, the mother is a hoot, the dad is uber lovable, Poole is too cool for words, and Martin is just perfect! This is a great story for middle grade readers, full of humor, middle school angst, weird and embarrassing family members, friendship, fears followed by courage, and dreams.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
Apr 12, 2011
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads first-reads program. I can't wait to read this book, it looks so good. Best part about getting this book is it will open me up to a book I don't think I would have normally read. I love reading and reviewing books that not everyone has read or books that are super popular at the time. Everyone has different opinions and I like sharing mine and reading others.
Jan 09, 2012
Melankalia
rated it:
I received this ARC as a part of the Goodreads giveaways promotion.
I had a bit of trouble with the beginning of this book, usually I don't mind just being thrown into the story, but in this case it kind of made me feel like I'd missed a chapter. A bit more character development in regards to the mother and Poole would've been been especially helpful. Also, I have to say that I did find the black knight story somewhat obtrusive. Not that I don't think it added to the storyline, but I j More...
I had a bit of trouble with the beginning of this book, usually I don't mind just being thrown into the story, but in this case it kind of made me feel like I'd missed a chapter. A bit more character development in regards to the mother and Poole would've been been especially helpful. Also, I have to say that I did find the black knight story somewhat obtrusive. Not that I don't think it added to the storyline, but I j More...
Feb 14, 2012
Brandon
rated it:
I received this book as a free giveaway through Goodreads.
What if you found out that your name was cursed? That when someone with your exact name was born, you would die? What if every first born male child in your family had that exact name? Welcome to the cursed life of Martin Boyle.
Martin has a mom who is a germaphobe, a dad who is a revolutionary war re-enactor as a full-time job, and a little sister who is a smart aleck. His best friend is using him to get to know More...
What if you found out that your name was cursed? That when someone with your exact name was born, you would die? What if every first born male child in your family had that exact name? Welcome to the cursed life of Martin Boyle.
Martin has a mom who is a germaphobe, a dad who is a revolutionary war re-enactor as a full-time job, and a little sister who is a smart aleck. His best friend is using him to get to know More...
Apr 18, 2011
Wensday
rated it:
The Last Martin is a quick easy read and enjoyable. I'm familiar with the Minneapolis area that the story takes place in so it was very easy to get the visual of the location. Although the book is a children's book, there is an adult message...One should enjoy life without having to wait for something tragic to happen. Even with the serious topic, the book is still light hearted and made me smile through out reading.
Jul 10, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Martin Boyle's germophobe mother and history re-enacting father don't make life easy. Life gets even more stressful when Martin visits the family graveyard and realizes that every time a Martin Boyle is born, another Martin Boyle dies. Knowing that his aunt is soon to deliver a boy to be named Martin makes Martin think that his own death is imminent. A quirky book, especially good for boys in 4th-7th grade.
I received this ARC to review from the author.
I received this ARC to review from the author.
Sep 09, 2011
The Library Lady
rated it:
An adult who expects to finish this probably will and may like it. But the opening is so uninteresting and confusing that few of the boys they expect to LOVE this book will get into more than a chapter or two. And I'm not sure that even those who get that far and actually reach the real plot of the book will be compelled enough to complete it.
Apr 23, 2011
Richard
rated it:
I received this book from goodreads and am so thankful for the opportunity to share this book with my grandson. It probably would not have been a book I would have ordinarily picked out, but my grandson and I enjoyed reading this together! Some of the characters in this book are a little quirky, which makes the book a fun one to read.
May 09, 2011
Kahultine
rated it:
The Last Martin was an exciting read. Martin is trying to break the family curse. He has many adventures as he works toward his goal. The story contains many interesting, quirky characters, including Martin's parents. If you like a mystery with a plucky main character, you will enjoy this story!
Jun 13, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This is a great book to read aloud to your kids. Mine found it to be funny, amusing and the strange characters made the story more interesting, and of course their bursts of laughter throughout shows that they must approve!
May 30, 2011
Lori
rated it:
Good story for middle grades. Especially boys. Poor Martin Boyle discovers there can be only one Martin...literally. And his cousin Martin is due in only a few months. Yikes! I love the characters, especially the mom!
Jun 17, 2011
Ann
rated it:
In-between. I kept waiting for it to get more supernatural or more figment-of-the-imagination-y. Because it did neither, it felt wishy-washy. Plus it featured my pet peeve: Disney channel caricature parents.
Aug 27, 2011
Cubbers
rated it: 
i hated this book it was VERY SLOW the description sounded great but it stunk this is the worst book ever i disliked it so much that i stopped reading it at page 150 this was horrible
Jun 06, 2011
Scott
rated it:
Fun book, though I think it's a little dark for my 7 and 5 year-olds. Probably best suited for the 8-13 crowd.
The Last Martin is the story of a young boy who comes to the realization that his name is cursed. He enlists his best friend, a homeless boy who lives in his backyard and the most popular girl in school to help him break the pattern of death among those who have shared his name. I loved the characters, including Martin's overbearing mother and father whose primary interest is r More...
The Last Martin is the story of a young boy who comes to the realization that his name is cursed. He enlists his best friend, a homeless boy who lives in his backyard and the most popular girl in school to help him break the pattern of death among those who have shared his name. I loved the characters, including Martin's overbearing mother and father whose primary interest is r More...
