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Jaline's Reviews > The One-in-a-Million Boy
The One-in-a-Million Boy
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A diligent, hard-working 11 year old boy who loves making lists and counts everything bonds with a 104 year old woman over animal crackers and milk. The boy is committed to earning a Scout badge for volunteering to do her yard work and, despite ‘firing’ previous young lads, Ona Vitkus sees something in this boy that is rare and special.
When the boy can no longer keep his commitment, his father, Quinn, steps in to complete the seven remaining scheduled Saturdays. Quinn considers himself a failed husband, a failure as a father, and is bemused by the fact that he may be the oldest working musician who has never had a recording offer.
Quinn’s twice-ex-wife Belle agrees with his self-assessments but also has her own problems to bear. Like magnets, they keep being drawn to Ona and her ambitions set in motion by the boy to become a respected entry in the Guinness World Book of Records.
The dynamics between the characters in this book are unreservedly captivating. I bonded with almost every character mentioned in the book for various reasons and shed tears for – and with – many of them, too.
This story is unique and breaks your heart at times, yet the strong notes of redemption and triumph are always there in the wings, awaiting their moment. I found this book to be very moving and tangible. The people are genuine, their story dramatic, yet without a hint of soap opera or melodrama. Real people, living real lives, experiencing the realities of each other and the bright notes where their realities touch each other’s. A beautiful book that will bring light into your life and a song in your heart.
When the boy can no longer keep his commitment, his father, Quinn, steps in to complete the seven remaining scheduled Saturdays. Quinn considers himself a failed husband, a failure as a father, and is bemused by the fact that he may be the oldest working musician who has never had a recording offer.
Quinn’s twice-ex-wife Belle agrees with his self-assessments but also has her own problems to bear. Like magnets, they keep being drawn to Ona and her ambitions set in motion by the boy to become a respected entry in the Guinness World Book of Records.
The dynamics between the characters in this book are unreservedly captivating. I bonded with almost every character mentioned in the book for various reasons and shed tears for – and with – many of them, too.
This story is unique and breaks your heart at times, yet the strong notes of redemption and triumph are always there in the wings, awaiting their moment. I found this book to be very moving and tangible. The people are genuine, their story dramatic, yet without a hint of soap opera or melodrama. Real people, living real lives, experiencing the realities of each other and the bright notes where their realities touch each other’s. A beautiful book that will bring light into your life and a song in your heart.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 69 (69 new)
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Ingrid
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Oct 23, 2017 12:13AM
That sounds like a lovely book.
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Such a beautiful review! I’ll have to remember this when I need a nice soothing book :)
Funny, I'd never heard of anyone eating crackers and milk before, but yesterday I saw Audrey Hepburn doing just that in Roman Holiday and now I've seen it in your splendid review! Great stuff, Jaline.
Crackers and milk does sound rather dull though...
So happy that you loved this too!! Wonderful review Jaline!
Jaline, beautiful review! I thought you would love this and so glad you did. Throughout the book , my only issue was that I wanted to know his name. I actually sent an email to the author telling her how much I loved it and that I wish I knew his name. She said only a couple of people knew it and that I should feel free to name him. I don’t think I can do that so he’ll have to remain nameless for me but definitely a character to remember.
This sounds so good, Jaline! Wonderful review! And bonus is I have it waiting on my Kindle! :)
Another book to add because of your great review!
Fabulous review Jaline, this book broke my heart too.
Lovely review, Jaline! I can't wait to read this one!
Sweet review, Jaline! I’ve got this on my list. I like the idea of different generations building individual relationships. It sounds like a very heartwarming and satisfying read.
Wonderful review, Janine! Sounds like a good one.
Absolutely beautiful review Jaline!
Beautiful review Jaline! This is on my 'want to read list'.
On the list. Thanks, Jaline.
Fabulous, Jaline! Sounds very promising.
Ingrid wrote: "That sounds like a lovely book."It is indeed a lovely book, Ingrid - definitely well worth checking into. :)
Dem wrote: "Great review Jaline"Thank you, Dem! :)
Vanessa wrote: "Such a beautiful review! I’ll have to remember this when I need a nice soothing book :)"Thank you so much, Vanessa! I am sure you won't regret it. :)
Kevin wrote: "Funny, I'd never heard of anyone eating crackers and milk before, but yesterday I saw Audrey Hepburn doing just that in Roman Holiday and now I've seen it in your splendid review! Great stuff, Jaline.
Crackers and milk does sound rather dull though... "
Hahaha - you and Ona both. She was quite offended that it was Meals on Wheels' idea of dessert! I think animal crackers over here are more of an arrowroot-based cookie, but still . . . I'm with Ona on this one. :)
Karen wrote: "So happy that you loved this too!! Wonderful review Jaline!"Thank you so much, Karen! It is such an all 'round inspiring book despite the sad bits. :)
Wonderful review! I think I'd like this one.
Angela M wrote: "Jaline, beautiful review! I thought you would love this and so glad you did. Throughout the book , my only issue was that I wanted to know his name. I actually sent an email to the author telling her how much I loved it and that I wish I knew his name. She said only a couple of people knew it and that I should feel free to name him. I don’t think I can do that so he’ll have to remain nameless for me but definitely a character to remember."Thank you, Angela - and your fabulous review was one of the ones that magnetized me to this book, so I am very grateful for that! :)
I have a friend (used to be my assistant at work) and she always calls her son "The Boy" - only she spells it "Boi". I have to think long and hard to remember his real name sometimes - hahaha
I think it's amazing that you wrote the author to ask about his name. It's a strange answer, "only a couple of people know it" . . .
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "This sounds so good, Jaline! Wonderful review! And bonus is I have it waiting on my Kindle! :)"Thank you so much, Jennifer - that is a bonus indeed! I look forward to your impressions of this book once you get a chance to read it! :)
Marialyce wrote: "Another book to add because of your great review!"Thank you for your lovely comment, Marialyce! You won't be sorry . . . :)
Crumb wrote: "Fantastic review, Jaline!"Thank you so much, Crumb! :)
Maureen wrote: "Fabulous review Jaline, this book broke my heart too."Thank you, Maureen, and how many books can you think of that can break your heart and then inspire you to wholeness again? I loved the entire process. :)
Jan wrote: "Lovely review, Jaline! I can't wait to read this one!"Thank you, Jan - and I can't wait to read your review once you do!! :)
Susan wrote: "Sweet review, Jaline! I’ve got this on my list. I like the idea of different generations building individual relationships. It sounds like a very heartwarming and satisfying read."Thank you for your lovely comment, Susan - and you nailed it! It's a reminder for all of us of one of the biggest reasons why we read in the first place. :)
Meredith wrote: "Wonderful review, Jaline! Sounds like a good one."Thank you so much, Meredith - it is beyond awesome! :)
Svetlana wrote: "awe wonderful review Jaline! 💕"Thank you very much, Svetlana! :)
Selena wrote: "Absolutely beautiful review Jaline!"Thank you for your very kind comment, Selena! :)
Ioana wrote: "Beautiful review Jaline! This is on my 'want to read list'."Thank you, Iona! I hope you are able to get it and read it soon! I look forward to your review whenever you are able to read this beautiful book. :)
Jaline , I looked at the mail again and I mixed it up . It was in her interview - I can’t remember where it was - that she said a couple of people knew. What she told me in the mail was that I should feel free to name him and she thanked me for my kind words . I just don’t think I can name him !
Betsy wrote: "On the list. Thanks, Jaline."You are welcome, Betsy - I think this will be a very heartwarming and inspiring read for everyone. Heaven knows we can all benefit from those feelings right now! :)
Lisa wrote: "Fabulous, Jaline! Sounds very promising."Thank you, Lisa! If you feel a need for a deeply satisfying read that is also inspiring, funny, and poignant - reach for this one! :)
Sarah wrote: "Wonderful review! I think I'd like this one."Thank you, Sarah! I think you would, too - and I can't wait until you read it! :)
Angela M wrote: "Jaline , I looked at the mail again and I mixed it up . It was in her interview - I can’t remember where it was - that she said a couple of people knew. What she told me in the mail was that I should feel free to name him and she thanked me for my kind words . I just don’t think I can name him !"I know exactly how you feel, Angela! I remember thinking, "well I'll call him something else in my head . . ." and then I couldn't think of any name I wanted to give him. He remained "the boy", "the son", or "boy" throughout. Oddly, I was fine with it! :)
Norma wrote: "Wonderful review, Jaline!"Thank you so much, Norma! :)
Amalia wrote: "Such a beautiful review, Jaline...."Thank you so very much for your kind comment, Amalia! :)
Terrific review! Yet another add!
I was smiling so much just to see your 5 stars and to know that you'd read this, and then I read your review and all those memories came rushing back. Loved this book so much, these people! Wonderful, beautiful review, Jaline! Loved it!
Fantastic review, Jaline!
Debbie wrote: "Terrific review! Yet another add!"Thank you, Debbie! And guess what? Your Complaint Board will stay in the garage for this one! ;)
Cheri wrote: "I was smiling so much just to see your 5 stars and to know that you'd read this, and then I read your review and all those memories came rushing back. Loved this book so much, these people! Wonderful, beautiful review, Jaline! Loved it!"Thank you so much for the generosity of your comment, Cheri! I read your review and loved it, too. For me, having these fond memories of books come back to me through others' eyes is one of the highlights of my GR experience! (The other is, of course, being introduced to books and/or authors I have never heard of before.) I appreciate your enthusiasm for this book and thank you for reading my review and commenting! :)
Brenda wrote: "Fantastic review, Jaline!"Thank you so very much, Brenda! :)
