Dead Boy
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
Fans of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book will embrace this darkly funny novel!
Crow isn't like the other kids. He stinks. He’s got maggots. His body parts fall off at inopportune moments. (His mom always sews them back on, though.) And he hasn’t been able to sleep in years. Not since waking up from death.
But worse than the maggots is how lonely Crow feels. When Melody Plympton moves in next door, Crow can’t resist the chance to finally make a friend. With Melody around he may even have a shot at getting his life back from the mysterious wish-granting creature living in the park. But first there are tests to pass. And it will mean risking the only friend he’s had in years.
Debut author Laurel Gale’s story about friendship fulfilled may be the most moving—and most macabre—yet.
Praise for Dead Boy
“A stinky, creepy tale for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Gale takes readers on a dark and surprisingly funny journey. . . . A great recommendation to middle grade fans of dark humor.” —School Library Journal
Customer Reviews
Full of magic, fun and imagery, this story is a winner for middle graders
Debut author Laurel Gale didn’t miss a trick with this middle-school read. Crow is undead – not quite zombie, but truly dead, just still animated. Life is just weird for the poor little guy: his parents have split up, he’s sure it is his fault, he can’t go to school like other kids, his mother occasionally has to darn up a new hole or stitch a body part back on, and did we mention the smell? That’s not pleasant either, nor are the maggots that creep out of his nose like unmanageable bogies. But Crow is thoughtful and considered, and he really just wants a friend.
Then, Melody moves in next door. Not allowed to go out during the heat of the day because that will speed up his physical demise, he’s taken to sneaking out at night to meet this new girl who believes in aliens and Area 51, loves a good mystery and has few if any illusions about the facades that people present. She sees Crow as kind and generous, thoughtful and above all, great friend material.
Gale has created a wonderful set of characters in this: Crow who is just adorable and Melody who wants to know just HOW he died, and his mother who is more than a bit obsessed with keeping her child ‘alive’ and safe. While Melody is most interested in sorting out the mystery around Crow’s death, the solidity of their friendship and the beauty in selfless behaviors. While middle graders will find it easy to understand and relate to both Crow and Melody, adults who venture into this title will appreciate the nuance and fearless tackling of issues surrounding his parents, their divorce and Crow’s mother and her obsessions to the detriment of a life outside the home. Full of magic, fun and imagery, this story is a winner for middle graders and the parents who love them.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.