Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Sorry for the delay in getting discussion posts up!

Here's some questions for this first 1/2 of the book.

Did you have any expectations of this one going into it? Is it meeting them so far?
What are you initial impressions of the writing style?
How does it compare to other MG you've read?
What do you think of Boy and Secundus and their relationship?
Are you liking it so far?

I really like the book and am so happy it was picked as the group read, I had not heard of the book before.

I'm liking it so far.

I want to love this book but so far it’s just okay....though I will say I really loved the reveal at the end of Part 2. I do love Boy but Secundus is such a horrible person it is hard to get over him. I do love Middle Grade March and the books don’t usually steer me wrong so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it more in the second half.

I was skeptical at first. The writing style and verbiage through me off a little. It's definitely a book that will make you stop and process the meaning of something more. Secundus doesn't seem to be a very nice person, and Boy appears to have little choice in anything that goes on in his life.

reply to Kim Kantor: I was going to stop at chapter 15 to do some chores. Then I read your post and darn, I had to pick the book back up to find out what the reveal was. LOL

Cheryl, you fell for my master plan! :-)

I’m not really enjoying the book so far. I think I went into it expecting an adventure story (that’s what it says in the goodreads blurb) and it’s not living up to that. Even though they are on a quest, I’m not getting pulled into it. And the baby part was just weird and I didn’t like that at all.

Well I just got up to this part. I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. I'm definitely not loving it, but feel like it could pull me in by the end.

Yes, Secundus is not my favorite. But I still feel like there's more to his story too.

I find it a bit repetitive. Boy repeats some of the same phrases over and over. Also, Boy had never gone anywhere, but not he's so focused on getting to Rome. I feel like I missed something there. I also wonder why he keeps saying "home" instead of "tomb". I feel like that is going to mean something by the end.

Finally, I'm not loving the fart talk. Maybe that's in hopes of keeping kids interested? I don't feel like it's the most interesting for kids so far. Although some scenes I can see them loving.

My first thought was that the language was quite challenging for someone who is not a native English speaker, but it felt easier if I read aloud to myself. While reading aloud I also got a kind of storytelling feeling, which I really liked. :) But, of course, I couldn't keep on reading aloud very long, it's weird how tiresome it is...!

From the very beginning I was intrigued about the boy: Why is he able to communicate with animals? Why doesn't he eat? What is he??

I have to say that I was quite disappointed by the reveal at the end of part 2:

First of all, I now have troubles imagining what Boy looks like, because a hump and two (large?) wings aren't that similar in my opinion...

Also, if Boy is so religious, why is he so appalled by the thought that he is an angel?? I'm confused.

However, I like reading this and I'm curious to see what happens next. :)

But what about children? If I was reading this to a child, what would they think? Like I said, the language is quite challenging and I don't know if evilness and hunting for old bones is that fun... But I like the parts where Boy is communicating with animals. Too bad Boy doesn't have a small animal sidekick, it would lighten things up a little! ;)

I agree with all of you about I feel about the book.
I have some trobble with it, reagardless to if a child found it good, when I not is so intresting in the story either.
(I must say am not a native english speaking so I hope you get what I want to tell about my feelings for the book).
I heard somewhere at the end is good, so I´ll read the book to the end and hope I will like it better then.

I wasn't sure at first what to think about this book. Secunda seemed like such a jerk and I am still not sold on him. It seems he is a thief all around and using Boy to help him steal. I feel for Boy he seems very sweet and to worry about people and especially the animals. I was surprised he had wings, but I did think there was something other than a bump on his back.

I do have to say there have been a few times that I chuckled to myself. I am looking forward to seeing how this story is going to end. I am hoping I enjoy it.

So far I am liking the book-- first, much like the last book we read, I appreciate that Boy as a hunchback is a character with a disability. Although we have read two books in a row featuring disabled characters, they were very few and far between when I was middle-grade age. As in I could not even name one title now at 30+ years old. I also like Boy's ability to talk to or sense the thoughts of animals and I feel like that could appeal to many middle-graders. The fart talk may be a bit gratuitous... but think of 10-year-old boys LOL! Finally, I am interested as to how Boy's relationship with Secundus will progress...to me, Secundus is not exactly a character you can trust, but nor is he completely evil...I like the fact that there are complex characterizations in this book. I would not have picked this book up if not for this book club and Middle Grade March, and I am glad I did.