When I was a kid, I was all about Sharon Creech and her books. We read Walk Two Moons and Chasing Redbird out loud in class and from there, it was kind of love. Picking up her books are kind of like seeing an old friend. My latest visit with the old friend, her books, was fairly brief. I read The Boy On The Porch in about an hour or so. It’s a slim little book that is quiet and just so calm in comparison to a few other books I’ve recently read. If you’re in the mood for a really, really quick read or on the prowl for something to read during the next 24 hour readathon, pick up The Boy On The Porch, it’s so calming.
The Boy On The Porch by Sharon Creech opens with young couple Marta and John finding a sleeping boy on their porch. They carry the boy inside and place him on the chair. When the boy wakes up, they discover he does not speak, not even to say his name. However, they find a note saying to take care of him and that ‘we will be back for him.’ Also, that his name is Jacob. Yet, the mysterious ‘we’ does not come back. So, Marta and John start to let the boy into their hearts. They discover he has a real talent for art and for music, despite his lack of words and talking. Jacob begins to form a bond with their dog, Beagle and this cow that also just showed up on their farm, he actually rides the cow and much is made of this.
Meanwhile, the couple, Marta and John worry about what will happen when whomever Jacobs parents are come to claim him. The two give Jacob the best home they can, keeping it warm and friendly, constantly buying art supplies and musical instruments to nurture him. Unfortunately, though, someone does come to claim Jacob and this rocks John and Marta’s world. And so, through much of the book we see how Jacob has changed them and impacted their lives in a big, big way. Will he ever return? I think you’ll need to read The Boy On The Porch to find out.
I do feel a bit bad about how short this review of Sharon Creech’s book is. However, there is only so much I can say about 151 pages. I liked how quiet this book was. I did tear up over the ending because I am sentimental and sappy. This is one of those very, very peaceful reads and it is satisfying seeing the changes in Marta and John’s lives. It’s really all about togetherness and what defines a family, blood or not. The pacing of The Boy On The Porch is of course very quick. The writing is simple and uses one word instead of ten, if you know what I mean. It’s not an overly verbose book. I loved that it was about good people who do good things and who open their hearts. While I might not have fallen in love with this book, I do think it’s a good read for children and families. Well, perhaps it is best read aloud before bedtime.
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I’ve always loved Sharon Creech. Her stories are sweet and, yes, quick but there’s something that just tugs at your heartstrings in her books. Sounds like a great bedtime read!
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It has been so long since I’ve read a Sharon Creech book! I have no doubt that The Boy on the Porch is a moving story. It’s always interesting to see how authors tackle the concept of family in their books, and that’s what makes me so curious about this one.
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