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The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon
Crackpot notions, community spirit, and sky-high aspirations transform a quiet boy’s life in this whimsical tale from the stellar team of David Almond and Polly Dunbar.
There are some strange ideas floating around in Paul’s apartment block. There’s Mabel, who now calls herself Molly and whose brother hides under a paper bag. Then there’s Clarence, the poodle who thinks he c...more
There are some strange ideas floating around in Paul’s apartment block. There’s Mabel, who now calls herself Molly and whose brother hides under a paper bag. Then there’s Clarence, the poodle who thinks he c...more
Hardcover, 128 pages
Published
April 13th 2010
by Candlewick
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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 kind of book. One that...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 kind of book. One that...more
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 he meets the off-beat...more
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 events that Paul meets...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 events that Paul meets...more
This story is about a young boy called Paul who is bored of living in his basement flat. He doesn’t like school, and school does not really like him. Paul believe that the moon is a hole in the sky. He decides to test out his theory. Along the way Paul meets some friends who believe in him and his mission. This story is best read at upper key stage two. KS2 children will able to relate to having dreams that are unrealistic but they will find this story every enjoyable. While the book is unreal,...more
Jul 24, 2010
Doreen
added it
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-war sen...more
May 24, 2010
Carmine
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
I haven't figured that out yet
Shelves:
juvenile-fiction
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...ok, trying to reach...more
Look! I am my own twin!
There is a lot of trying to do who knows what...ok, trying to reach...more
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 reach the moon...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 reach the moon...more
One day Paul was sick and stayed home from school. He lived in a large apartment block (building) in a basement unit with his parents. Because he lived underground, he sometimes felt far away from everything. So on this day that he was sick, he decided that he wanted to touch the sky. After beginning his journey from his basement apartment up the stairwell to the top floor he runs into all kinds of comical characters. There is Harry the jogger, Mabel who has switched identities with her twin sis...more
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 is.
This silly story made me laugh! A boy climbs to the top of his apartment building, then up a very long ladder, until he gets to the moon. This book will stretch your imagination and make you wonder if you could climb into the moon.
Dream Big (Summer Reading Program 2012) recommended book
Available from OCLS in print and e-audiobook formats.
Dream Big (Summer Reading Program 2012) recommended book
Available from OCLS in print and e-audiobook formats.
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 something sold to them.)
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 something sold to them.)
What a suitable time to read this book! it's the mid autumn festival! David Almond brings us to his imaginative world in this book where we're brought to question a child's imagination. If education were stifling and a constrain to our wonders, this is the book that shows an alternative mind, where random ideas are explored and furthered.
"He sat on the edge. At his back were the night, the world, the universe, going on forever. In front of him just endless silvery light. His legs dangled down i...more
"He sat on the edge. At his back were the night, the world, the universe, going on forever. In front of him just endless silvery light. His legs dangled down i...more
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...more
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.
What if the moon was just a big hole in the sky full of pterodactyls, dragonflies, baseballs, helicopters, and trapeze artists? Paul, the shy boy who lives in the basement, is going to find out exactly what is inside the moon with the help of his imaginative friends Molly and Benjamin. This story is beyond words. It is crazy and unbelievable yet at the end of the book I believed that anything is possible.
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.
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.
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.
This book created magic in our home for me and wally. I found myself whispering as we read the end of the story. It was so wonderful. There was a section about the war and bombers that I thought would frighten wally but he was ok. The end contained so much truth. The illustrations were a fabulous style and perfectly spaced.
I randomly picked this out based on the title and im excited to read other works by this author.
I randomly picked this out based on the title and im excited to read other works by this author.
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!
Love this book. It is such an imaginative, creative, and exciting children's book. I found myself laughing out loud at all the play on words that Almond uses...I wonder if children will catch on to all of the small details, but either way, it is a great and quick read.
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.
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.
A bit more spacey than "My dad is a birdman".
I love the illustrations by Polly Dunbar. The story teaches an important lesson and will make readers think.
It is one of those unique David Almond surreal reading experience.
I love the illustrations by Polly Dunbar. The story teaches an important lesson and will make readers think.
It is one of those unique David Almond surreal reading experience.
Jun 10, 2011
Jenni
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves a whimsically simple story.
Shelves:
favorite-authors
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.
Brilliant!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The delicious dialogue, the wonderfully imaginative plot. All I can say is David Almond is a genius. I love, love, love this book.
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.
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
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.
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.
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David Almond is a British children's writer who has penned several novels, each one to critical acclaim. He was born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the University of East Anglia. When he was young, he found his love of writing when some short stories of his were published in a local magazine. He started out as an author of adult fiction be...more
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Mar 19, 2012 04:38pm