MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY
The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
Sharon Creech’s middle grade book, “The Boy on the Porch,”
is a touching and soulful story of love, joy, caring, with a touch of
heartache. I read it in one sitting. There was no way I could put it down once
I’d started.
The story is about a young farm couple, Marta and John, who
discover a boy asleep on their front porch. There’s a note asking them to take
care of the boy and that “we will return for him.” The boy, Jacob, is special.
He communicates with taps, smiles, and nods. He is a genius musician and
artist. He has an affinity for animals and a natural joie de vivre, but no
speech.
Marta and John soon come to love the boy and give him the
best home they can. Still they try to do the right thing, to find out where he
came from, to see if anyone is looking for him, and eventually they tell the
sheriff. All is well until one day the boy’s father returns to claim Jacob.
John and Marta are devastated. They were childless before, but after they’ve
opened their home and their hearts to Jacob, they are truly empty when Jacob
leaves.
They are referred to the lady who places foster children and
soon fill their home with a series of children who need the love and support
they give. They’re more fulfilled, but they never forgot their first boy,
Jacob. Will he ever return? They build a shelf for the old shoes the many
foster children leave behind. Then when new children come, they tell them the
stories of the children who’ve come and gone.
This is an amazing book of love, support, and giving. Although
not a typical middle grade novel with children as the main characters solving
problems, learning and growing, this story is one that children and adults can
enjoy and find satisfaction. I’m glad I found it and highly recommend it to
anyone who wants to feel its hopeful and uplifting message. It shows us how
much children need love, routine, play time, but above all, true acceptance.
Read more information about Sharon Creech at http://www.sharoncreech.com
She’s a marvelous award winning author of “Walk Two Moons.”
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Tags:
Sharon Creech, The Boy on the Porch, love, acceptance, children, art, music, parents, foster children, play, joy, dogs, cows, farms
Sharon Creech, The Boy on the Porch, love, acceptance, children, art, music, parents, foster children, play, joy, dogs, cows, farms
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