That Boy Red

by Rachna Gilmore

It’s the Depression, but Red’s family is managing better than most on their Prince Edward Island farm. Hard working and resourceful, they have enough to eat and to help others, even if at times they are mocked by their neighbours for putting education ahead of farm work. Eleven-year-old Red has plenty of chores around the farm, and the days can be long, but he still gets the odd break to go swimming or fishing, provided his homework is done. Red’s older sister, Ellen, teaches at the local school, and if Red doesn’t shine, she will not only punish him, but also make sure their parents hear about it.

But then Red’s father’s hand is seriously injured and the family’s situation looks dire. Red steps up to the challenge, finishing the tobacco boxes that his father makes and helping shovel out a train stuck in the snow. Stubborn and even pigheaded, Red does make mistakes along the way (such as pretending to be dead so that his younger sister will stop following him), but his heart is always in the right place.

Genres: Canada, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Historical, Childrens, Young Adult

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2011

About the author

Rachna Gilmore is the best-selling, critically acclaimed Governor General’s Award winning author of numerous books with multiple honours and awards. Her publications include picture books, early readers, middle grade and young adult novels, as well as adult fiction.
Rachna’s books are sold internationally with translations in French, Danish, German, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, Bengali, Chinese as well as several other languages. A skilled and experienced presenter, Rachna gives inumerable readings and workshops in schools, libraries and conferences across the country as well as internationally.
Born in India, Rachna has lived in London, England and Prince Edward Island. She now lives in Ottawa where she continues to plark (play, work, lark) at dreaming up weird and wonder-filled tales.

http://www.rachnagilmore.ca/bio.html

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tagline says that its “Anne of Green Gables meets Owen Skype” and I definitely got the Anne of Green Gables feel from it. I would describe the story as one with lots of charm, very wholesome and with a homely feel.

The story is told from Red’s point of view and follows him and his family living in rural Prince Edward Island during the height of the Depression. Red is your average eleven year old boy in the 1930‘s. He has chores, helps his Pa out with farm work but also likes to go fishing with friends and have fun like any other boy his age. He makes mistakes and tries his best to help wherever he can and for the most part he always tries to do the right thing.

The setting is described beautifully. The MacRae family live in a close knit community where everyone knows everyone. Reading this book really brought me back to rural life in a simpler time where neighbours would help each other out, no questions asked.

There’s six chapters and in each chapter there would be a major event and from it Red either leans from his mistakes or learns a life lesson. It’s like six stories about Red and his family all combined in one book…in my mind I kept picturing it as a TV series with six episodes. Overall, its an easy read with a great message and is a great book for parents to read and discuss with their kids.

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading THAT BOY RED is like reading about the precocious little boy you love to baby-sit – the one that leaves you exhausted running around after him, and despairing that he’ll ever settle down and mature, but ultimately surprises you when it counts.

Red is a young boy living in Depression era Prince Edward Island with his mom, dad, brother and two sisters. And occasionally a grannie, to Red’s despair. Red’s older sister is his teacher, his young sister will follow him around, and his brother is the “good one”. But Red, for all his mischief, can be counted on when it’s needed and cares for his family deeply. He’s just adventurous!

I finished reading THAT BOY RED and had that giddy little sigh I do after I finish a book that made me all kinds of content and happy. Red’s story is comfortable and familiar. Each chapter is an episode that leads the reader through important events in a year of Red’s life. From a visit from grannie, to his dad’s accident and a snowed-in train, I alternated between groaning at Red’s antics to feeling so proud of him for stepping up and helping out when things got tough. I highly enjoyed Rachna Gilmore’s writing style; the voice for her characters came through loud and clear, and the entire time I was reading I felt like I was in the 1930s.

THAT BOY RED has the gossipy, everyone-knows-everyone, simpler-if-harder times feel to it that makes me long for one-room school houses, playing outdoors and clear country winter nights. And even though I did not grow up in the 30s (far from it), parts of Red’s life and home reminded me so strongly of my own childhood it was crazy. This is one story that just made me comfortable, calm, happy and sad. It was a story of life – no big frills or daring adventures, just the every day ups and downs of life. I highly recommend it.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was taken with how much I enjoyed this book; I just gobbled it up! Once started I couldn't put it down. Each chapter is episodic, there is no major plot running through the book, except that of the life of a family living through the Depression on Prince Edward Island. The book is held together though by recurring themes in the lives of the characters, such as the love life of the eldest daughter, but the book is very much centred on the main male character and will be of especial appeal to boys. The stories are similar to those written in the 50s/60s such as Henry Huggins, Homer Price and Soup, but Gilmore has brought more of an edge to these tales of growing up. This coming of age story is more raw than those earlier others; people really get hurt, there is a life-like childhood meanness in the pranks and hi-jinks along with the real utter guilt and sorrow that follows. The author's note tells us this book is based on her father-in-law's childhood giving it a certain authenticity along with the nostalgia. One thing I really thought was brilliant was how the parents paid for the eldest child to go to college, then each sibling paid for the next one to follows' education.

A new edition with a much improved cover will be coming out this summer (2013); perchance it will be released in the US?

[Melanie Fishbane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply delightful read. Four interconnecting stories about a family in P.E.I. during the Depression. Gilmore has such a wonderful knack for dialogue which gives us a real sense of who her characters are. Also, wonderful descriptions of the Island. Made me want to be there even at winter time. The stories are funny and heart-warming. I could see it as a CBC family hour show. Get on that CBC! Reluctant readers will appreciate the boyhood antics as well as the short story feel of the book will give them a sense of completion. Highly recommend.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book kind of goes against everything we tell our students a story needs: there is no real problem, it almost seems like a list of events that Red goes through.

I thought it was rather slow to get going and like I said, no one big plot problem. Even the plot problem listed on the back of the book, the fathers accident, doesn't occur until over halfway through the book and last less than 30 pages.

I like Red and the family but didn't find this a particularly entertaining book and it likely wouldn't go over well as a book club book. I don't think it's exciting enough to capture kids attention.

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is so heart warming . This awesome book Is about a stubborn boy named Red MacRae and his Ma, Pa older brothers Alex and Mac his younger sister Bunch and his Older sister Ellen who is also the teacher at the local school house. It is the depression his family makes a living by making Tobacco caddies for a credit at the market but that are managing much better then most families.His family stands out because they put education ahead of working on the farm. Reds shines at wood working but schoolwork isn't exactly his cup of tea, but Ellen won't put up with slacking off. When his Pa is get his hand injured it's up to Red and Mac to fill the order for 200 Tobacco caddies. But some how manages to make the best of everything that comes his way including a lost Sister, getting lost in the winter, troublesome horses and a airplane. This is a must read for all children 10 and up!

[Yoits · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Red MacRae and how his life was. His family is managing a farm in Prince Edward Island, one of the best.Red was never the best in school, he would rather do woodwork. But he can not slack off for his older sister is the teacher and will not have his brother fail. but when a terrible accident happened to his father. Red and his siblings must step up and finish the tobacco boxes that his father makes. Many other problems comes along involving his sisters, outhouses and aeroplanes, but that will not stop him. I like this storyline and is recommended to maybe grade 4-6.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like a boy's version of "Anne of Green Gables", That Boy Red is told in a series of vingettes. This a gentle and sweet book with some very humourous moments; it's easy to see how it was nominated as a Silver Birch fiction contender.
For my middle schoolers, however, it's a little on the light side, and they were left with questions. Overall, they enjoyed it; however, it was a little young for their taste.
* A great holiday buy for your Grade 3-6 student!

[Rebecca Mckenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is essentially the boy version of Anne of Green Gables and takes place on Prince Edward Island as well. I enjoyed reading it but some parts didn't flow well - the second last chapter takes place in a snowstorm and the last chapter takes place in summer, which is also where the airplane finally makes an appearance. Not sure whether or not some chapters or large portions of chapters were edited out or if they were just neglected, but the story definitely requires more substance.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it, but I am pretty sure I have never read anything of Gilmore's that I haven't loved. If you haven't read A Group of One, for heaven's sake go and grab it from the library!
Whether she is writing modern fiction, or in this case, historical, Gilmore captures the essence of what it means to be Canadian.
http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca/201...

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as one of the books my son was doing for his local reading link competition. It was very enjoyable and reminded me so much of Anne of Green Gables, similar setting (PEI) and themes. Although this is a young person's book, I found it really entertaining and most adults who enjoyed Anne Shirley would enjoy the adventures of Red McRae

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet and charming read set in Depression Era P.E.I. Red is a fun character who does experience growth throughout the book. The lack of a real plot, and the episodic nature of the book drove me a little bit nuts, but kids will enjoy reading about his adventures.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an endearing boy Red is. He is not perfect by any means, but he loves his family and they love him. He gets into plenty of mischief, but that just adds to the story. The only drawback I see is a smattering of off-colour words (none that are very offensive).

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed ready this book. Perfect for the young reader, especially boys, who are difficult to find books written for them. One grandson who read the book before me, noticing I might read it, said it was a great book! I echo his recommendation.

[Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book very much. I thought it was too boreing. I can not really recomend this book to anyone because I do not like it.

[Girl Guides of Canada · Rating 5 out of 5]

We reviewed and recommended this book for our girls in Brownies and Guides, ages 7-11.

[Ella]

Hey

[Shazia Jafri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story. I can see why this jr. fiction won the GG award. It was funny and heartwarming.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good, quick read. I was surprised it was so light hearted for a book set during the depression, but gave a good look at a young boy's life at that time.