The Boy With an R in His Hand by James Reaney

by James Reaney

It is a pleasure to find that James Reaney's first book for children, first published by Macmillan of Canada in 1965, has just been re-issued in a handsome paperback edition, complete with the original illustrations by Leo Rampen. "The Boy with an R in His Hand" tells the story of two orphan brothers who arrive in York from the Red River Settlement in 1826 and quickly become involved with the complex politics of Upper Canada. Joel, the elder brother, aligns himself with the Family Compact and his overbearing, stuffy uncle, while Alex, more imaginative and courageous, becomes an apprentice to William Lyon Mackenzie at the Colonial Advocate. There he (and the reader) learn in some detail about Mackenzie's press and the art of type-setting. Alex, rather improbably, had it set up right, and from that moment on his progress in the skill of type-setting was... like a house on fire.''This is a satisfying, fast-moving story, full of incident and detail about colonial life. It climaxes with the wrecking of Mackenzie's printshop and press by a band of young Tories acting with the implicit approval of the government, at the end of which Alex finds a single capital R, his souvenir of life as a printer's apprentice. Recommended for ages nine and up, as a piece of Canadiana which enlivens history for the young reader.' -- Marilyn Rueter, "The Devil's Artisan."

Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

James Crerar Reaney, OC FRSC was a Canadian poet, playwright, librettist, and professor. Reaney won Canada's highest literary award, the Governor General's Award, three times and received the Governor General's Award for Poetry or Drama for both his poetry and his drama.

Reviews

[Kristine Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very cute short novel, a coming of age story really for a young boy named Alec who spends a year living in York. Young Alec is made an type apprentice at William Lyon Mackenzie's printing shop and the book culminates in the ransacking of William Lyon Mackenzie's printing shop. I love personification of some of York's founding families: Bishop Strachan, William Allan, and the Jarvises. I am not sure if the boy's uncle is a historical figure (John Simcoe Macalister) or if he is loosely based on the real John Simcoe Macauley. The novel pits the mean, evil Tories/Family Compact against the Mackenzie and his supporters including young Alec. It does a good job of depicting the animosity that many "gentlemen" must have had towards Mackenzie. The author captures the sense of the smallness, the class distinctions, and the hardships of living in Muddy York. I love the hand drawn pictures too. This book is available online via Google Books.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75* because it was not captivating my attention.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

James REaney was the publisher of Ryerson Press. This little historic novel is about a young orphan boy who is hired by Wm.LYon McKenzie King as a typesetter during the 1826 type riots in Toronto. The little boy Alex is a rebel at heart so fits right into the politics of the time while his brother takes the safe road of working for his Uncle as an accountant apprentice. Mini profiles of Bishop STrachan, Jarvis, King, JOhn Simco McAllaster and a few other influential power seeking men of early Toronto.