Oh Boy, Boston!

The Kids of the Polk Street School Specials #10

by Patricia Reilly Giff

The Polk Street Kids are coming--on their class trip to Boston. They're going to fly kites on Boston Common, walk the Freedom Trail, and put on a play--with Richard "Beast" Best as Paul Revere. Poor Beast can't remember his costume, or what he's supposed to do in the play. All he knows is that he has Dawn Bosco for a wife. And 16 kids. If only he could fly away, just like his kite! But loyal friends save the day for Beast, in a fun-filled visit to the city of the Bean and the Cod.

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 1997

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was an American author and educator whose warm, emotionally resonant books made her a beloved figure in children's literature. After spending roughly two decades as a teacher, she turned to writing and brought a deep understanding of young readers to stories that balanced humor, resilience, and emotional truth. Educated at Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, and Hofstra University, she drew on both her classroom experience and literary instincts to create memorable fiction for children and middle-grade readers. She became especially well known for the popular Polk Street School series, which captured the everyday dramas of school life with charm and empathy. Beyond those books, she wrote acclaimed novels such as Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Eleven, and Genevieve's War, often exploring themes of belonging, family, hardship, and courage. Her work earned wide recognition, including Newbery Honors, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, and a Christopher Award. Giff also influenced younger writers through her workshops and teaching spirit. Throughout her career, she remained a compassionate literary voice whose stories spoke directly to children's fears, hopes, and imaginations.

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis]

Oh Boy, Boston follows the Polk Street kids on a field trip to Boston to participate in a kite festival and a reenactment of Paul Revere's ride.

Richard "Beast" Best who I gather is the "tough" for the series, has been cast as Paul Revere except that he doesn't care the least about the trip or the play. Of course for this book to teach its lessons through the Beast's blundering, the teachers have to remain blind to his complete apathy over the play and the trip.

When the story isn't following the Beast as he slumps along from one mishap to another, the book is following the children's attempts to keep a stowaway dog out of site and out of trouble. What the dog's name is or who he belongs to (beyond belonging to another of the Polk Street students) escapes me.

The fictional bit of the book is nothing special. It's fairly typical poorly disguised morality play and history lesson. The second half of the book has an extended appendix explaining the different sites the Polk Street kids saw on their trip to Boston. Here is where the book gets interesting. The book even includes photographs of some historical markers so any Markeroons out there with children might consider finding a copy of the book if they are doing some family snarfing in Boston.

[Kayla]

The class was working on the play "Paul Revere's Ride." The children got the news that they would be going to Boston to perform the play to a school. I think students would relate to this book because they have probably been to a play before or possibly even been in a play themselves. I liked how in the back of the book it gave the kids' guide to all the best landmarks, museums, and monuments in Boston.

[Susan Kennedy]

Needs updating. Wish I liked it more