Crackpot notions, community spirit, and sky-high aspirations transform a quiet boy’s life in this whimsical tale from the stellar team of ...
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reviews
Aug 10, 2011
Jane
rated it: 
I read this book thinking of two perspectives--my own, and that of a young, middle grade child.
Personally, I enjoyed these quacky characters and young Paul's adventure of learning to be both creative, and brave. It felt as though the author went into a creative trance while writing this book and didn't come out until the end. All the silly twists and turns--some of them that really didn't even make much sense, but didn't need to since there was very little plot.
I like this ki More...
Personally, I enjoyed these quacky characters and young Paul's adventure of learning to be both creative, and brave. It felt as though the author went into a creative trance while writing this book and didn't come out until the end. All the silly twists and turns--some of them that really didn't even make much sense, but didn't need to since there was very little plot.
I like this ki More...
Aug 15, 2010
Caren
rated it: 
The author, best known for his book, "Skellig", has just won the IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Hans Christian Andersen Author Award for 2010. This prestigious award is given for an author's lifetime body of work, which has been judged to have made "lasting contributions to children's literature": an impressive award indeed! This work of magical realism, illustrated by Polly Dunbar, is quirky and touching. Paul, shy and quiet, comes out of his shell as h
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May 29, 2010
Nicola
rated it:
I have actually never read David Almond before and the title of this book grabbed me and gave me my chance to finally read him.
A whimsical story full of the unbelievable where a lonely boy who lives in a basement apartment, is rather shy, and does not like school but then school does not like him either takes a day off learns about living life to the fullest through a set of quirky characters and fantastical events.
One must set reality aside for this story. The people and eve More...
A whimsical story full of the unbelievable where a lonely boy who lives in a basement apartment, is rather shy, and does not like school but then school does not like him either takes a day off learns about living life to the fullest through a set of quirky characters and fantastical events.
One must set reality aside for this story. The people and eve More...
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Jul 24, 2010
I spent a wonderful evening reading this to my son. I think he could have read this on his own- but it was just too much fun to read it out loud to him. Almond inspired me to give several characters funny voices. We laughed out loud at several points in the book. My son made some connections to another Almond book- indeed there were many to be made. This book is appropriate for most children of school age; however, for some students, be sensitive to the fact that this novel contains anti-w
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May 24, 2010
Carmine
rated it:
Zany, but not really laugh out loud. more of a quiet "hmmmmm, this is absolutely ludicrous." Theater of the absurd for 2/3rd graders without the tragic side...more the unpredictable world that mirrors our own sort of way. Also, reading it felt a bit like watching improv theater- you're not really sure what the character is going to say next and some times what comes out is more successful than other times.
Look! I am my own twin!
There is a lot of trying to do who knows what More...
Look! I am my own twin!
There is a lot of trying to do who knows what More...
Oct 17, 2010
Embrc
rated it:
Paul is a rather lonely boy who decides not to go to school one day. He ends up on a fantastical adventure with various oddball/eccentric neighbors. These neighbors all try to help him prove his theory that the moon is just a hole in the sky.
This got good reviews and I'm sure some kids with enjoy reading it, but to me Almond was trying too hard to suspend reality much in the vain that Dahl so easily executed, but didn't seem to work for Almond. The various adventures in trying to re More...
This got good reviews and I'm sure some kids with enjoy reading it, but to me Almond was trying too hard to suspend reality much in the vain that Dahl so easily executed, but didn't seem to work for Almond. The various adventures in trying to re More...
Jan 13, 2011
Bethany
rated it:
What an unusual story. Paul, not particularly liking school, stays home one day to touch the sky. Along the way, he meets several peculiar people who live in his apartment building. There's Harry, always running somewhere; Clara and her yappy poodle, Clarence; and there's Mabel (or is it Molly?) who lives on the top floor with perfect access to the sky. When Paul's frantic parents find him, they join Molly (or is it Mabel?) on an adventure to see her brother and discover what the moon really
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May 22, 2011
Chris
rated it:
I do love the David Almond. Really, I don't think there are many other authors that I "eagerly await" their new book, perhaps Keith Donahue, but that's about it. Otherwise, it's all about Mr. Almond.
This is a fun little book. Not quite as good as his YA stuff, as this is much more "just for kids," but his style and imagination are still intact here, and just as entertaining as always.
Another wonderful little book from Candlewick Press. (I'd love to have so
This is a fun little book. Not quite as good as his YA stuff, as this is much more "just for kids," but his style and imagination are still intact here, and just as entertaining as always.
Another wonderful little book from Candlewick Press. (I'd love to have so
Sep 18, 2010
Deanna
rated it: 
Shy basement dwelling Paul is lured out of his comfort zone to explore a theory he has about the moon. Along the way he (and his very present parents) encounter a cast of quirky characters. This magical realism story is reminiscent of Daniel Pinkwater's work in its episodic and whimsical quality. I was not, however, able to roll with this as easily as in Pinkwater's stories. The arbitrary and often abrupt changes in plot seemed purposeless and it wasn't nearly as funny. I did appreciate some of
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Nov 26, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Feels a bit like a Polly Horvath knock-off, without the poetic style...or, you know, the point. Plus I keep expecting the characters to hock up owl pellets, a la Almond's Skellig. Attractive illustrations help distract from the fact that even as the title's goal is acheived, not much is actually happening here. Odd, and not entirely displeasing, but overall this Boy falls flat when it comes to whimsy.
Jul 25, 2010
Tamsyn
rated it:
This is an unusual book from David Almond, for a younger audience than most of his earlier books. I haven't read him in a while, and this book struck me as different. Lots of illustrations will appeal to readers relatively new to chapter books, as well as the whimsy and preposterous of the premise: a boy who thinks that the moon is not solid, but a hole in the sky. A more-than-quirky cast of characters.
Nov 14, 2011
natercopia
rated it:
I didn't fancy the style of writing and find the story confusing. There were too many characters and it seems like they were forced to fit into the story. Although I do think Paul's idea about the moon theory was refreshing, it didn't follow throughout the story. The illustration was OK for young readers but I find it distrating. Also, it didn't make any difference to the story either.
May 01, 2010
Christiane
rated it:
Very Roald Dahlish tale of a boy who believes the moon is a great hole in the sky and determines to find out with the help of his family and neighbors, and a very long ladder. I liked it fine, but it lacked the depth of some of his earlier books like Skellig. I've loved so much of Almond's work that I was a little disappointed in how slight this novel is.
Feb 02, 2011
Polly
rated it: 
I loved this book. Dunbar's illustrations compliment Almond's words, and the story is quirky and whimsical without being too cutesy. Perfect to be read to children of 4 or 5 upwards, and I would say 7 or 8 reading on their own; also the kind of story parents enjoy reading to their children!
Nov 15, 2010
Molly
rated it:
I really did not like this book. It was one of those that I thought I should like, but I just couldn't. I did like the illustrations, but felt the book was just a tad too "out there". I couldn't picture any kid at my library who I would recommend this too.
Aug 06, 2010
The Reading Countess
rated it:
Odd, slow and pedantic; this book was finished only because I had nothing else to do than read it while waiting for my car to be fixed. At first, I envisioned it to be like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with its whimsical nature. Sadly, it fell far, far, short.
Jun 10, 2011
Jenni
rated it:
A sweetly innocent tale of nonsense and whimsy, The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon reminded me of why David Almond is one of my favorite children's authors. Anne Flosnik performs wonderfully as the audiobook narrator.
Aug 20, 2010
Peg
rated it:
Not surprisingly, this is an odd mix of realism and fantasy, with even odder characters hindering the plot. Yet with the right child, this might resonate, with its themes of loneliness and dealing with differences. The language flows, but the reader must suspend disbelief from the start.
Apr 08, 2011
Rodney
rated it:
this was weird, but an ok short read, it was "out there" overt type creative writing, far from subtle, this author wrote Skellig which was much better
Jan 26, 2010
Mary
rated it:
Paul comes to the conclusion that the Moon isn't a round object but rather a hole to climb through. With the help of his parents and neighbors he attempts to see if his theory is correct.
Nov 04, 2010
Marianna
rated it:
I'd probably really give this book a 2.5.
The story seemed odd simply for the sake of being odd.
The story seemed odd simply for the sake of being odd.
Nov 03, 2010
Susan
rated it: 
I never abandon a book...but I just couldn't take this one any longer. The title and cover are intriguing but I can't see children sticking with this book and/or liking it. It has a very confusing plot line and the characters are annoying. There are just too many really great books sitting in my TBR pile to give this one any more of my precious reading time.
Sep 24, 2011
Kristina Marie
rated it:
Cute and quirky. The dialogue and writing style have a vintage feel similar to the oddest Ellen Raskin books.
Jun 21, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Paul, a lonely boy who lives in the basement of a high rise building, meets some unusual neighbors who help him on his way to self-confidence. Told in only the way David Almond can tell it!
Aug 05, 2010
Donalyn
rated it:
I think this book tried too hard. I thought it was weird and obscure. The characters were too outrageous and I cannot imagine children enjoying the story.
Jun 13, 2011
Kaethe
rated it:
It's not like anything else I can think of. Sort of a modern urban fairy tale not based on anything else. Enchanting.
Library copy.
Library copy.
