The Book of Boy

A young outcast is swept up into a thrilling and perilous medieval treasure hunt in this literary pause resistor by acclaimed best-selling author Catherine Gilbert Murdock. This epic and engrossing quest story is for fans of Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale and Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Boy has always been relegated to the outskirts of his small village. With a large hump on his back, a mysterious past, and a tendency to talk to animals, he is often mocked and abused by the other young people in his town. Until the arrival of a shadowy pilgrim named Secondus. Impressed with Boy's climbing and jumping abilities, Secondus engages Boy as his servant, pulling him into an expedition across Europe to gather the seven precious relics of Saint Peter.

Boy quickly realizes this journey is not an innocent one. They are stealing the relics and gaining dangerous enemies in the process. But Boy is determined to see this pilgrimage through until the end -for what if St. Peter can make Boy's hump go away?

This compelling, action-packed tale is full of bravery and daring stars a terrific cast of secondary characters and features an unlikely multigenerational friendship at its heart. Memorable and haunting, Catherine Gilbert Murdock's epic medieval adventure is just right for listeners of Sara Pennypacker's Pax, Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale, and Pam Munoz Ryan's Echo.

©2018 Catherine Gilbert Murdock (P)2018 Recorded Books

Audio Issue

Adventurous, suspenseful historical fiction from the medieval period. Quite original. I wish I’d read it instead of listened to it. Reynolds has a wonderful voice but his performance was so highly modulated that I kept having to turn the volume up and down—not ideal wham driving!

Unlike anything I’ve ever read

This book was amazing, highly recommend. It is nothing like anything I’ve ever read and I’ve read A LOT.

5 Stars for Boy

This story is so charming. The relationship development among characters and growth of our protagonist are well balanced. The narrator is simply perfect.

warning, the sound is not great

the story is for a very particular person and to top that, half the time I couldn't hear the narrator speaking.

The boy angel.

Truly a work that touches the heart and exercises the mind. Thank you for the gift.

great book

This book is amazing! Such a great story for all ages. The voice is low so I needed headphones to hear clearly but the reader does great voices.

Sound needs improvement

The story is wonderful and well-read; but was hard to hear. I needed to listen through headphones to hear it.

What an adventure!!

I loved it! Innocence vs. perspective. Good vs. evil. Great plot twists. I would recommend for any age.

So much goodness

Had trouble hearing/understanding some words at times. But loved this book. Want my grands to listen to it.

The best book I have read all year!

You needn’t know middle age history to enjoy this beautiful tale, but it won’t hurt either. The sweet young main character wants so badly to be a regular boy. However, he is a hunchback who can speak to animals. He meets a traveler who is headed to Rome! What grand adventures they have!