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Memory Boy #1
Memory Boy
Ash is still falling from the sky two years after a series of globally devastating volcanic eruptions. Sunlight is as scarce as food, and cities are becoming increasingly violent as people loot and kill in order to maintain their existence. Sixteen-year-old Miles Newell knows that the only chance his family has of surviving is to escape from their Minneapolis suburban home to their cabin in the woods, As the Newells travel the highways on Miles' supreme invention, the Ali Princess, they have high hopes for safety and peace. But as they venture deeper into the wilderness, they begin to realize that it's not only city folk who have changed for the worse.
240 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2001
65 people are currently reading
928 people want to read
About the author
Will Weaver
46 books100 followersI grew up in the Midwest, and had no idea I'd become a writer one day. However I gradually felt a need to tell my own stories. To explain, in writing, how I saw the world.
Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.
My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.
Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.
My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
December 16, 2014
This book was enjoyable. I liked the plot of the story and how the main character overcomes the situation he and his family encountered. The book definitely entertained me because it contained action and a plot that interests me. I would recommend this book to a friend because the book contains an exciting story line. The writing style was good.
May 6, 2020
Set in Minnesota which was enjoyable for me. It was also set in a future of 2008, so it’s dated. Pretty good story, but I wanted mire of the relationship of Miles and Mr Kurz.
November 20, 2021
Memory Boy by Weaver, Will is about Miles and his family trying to survive the changing world. I found this book in my school library for a project and enjoyed reading it.
The book is about Miles and his family trying to survive. They are living in a city where it soon becomes dangerous. They tell you how it all began. Then they decide to travel to a safer location on foot.
They find a safe place to stay till it becomes more safe in the city. They do not know when that is though. They are living in their lake cabin and are trying to survive the summer.
What I thought about the book. I personally really like it. I don't really read much because I have a hard time finding a book that is interesting. I would recommend this book to people who like survival books and have a hard time finding a book to stay hooked in the entire time like me.
The book is about Miles and his family trying to survive. They are living in a city where it soon becomes dangerous. They tell you how it all began. Then they decide to travel to a safer location on foot.
They find a safe place to stay till it becomes more safe in the city. They do not know when that is though. They are living in their lake cabin and are trying to survive the summer.
What I thought about the book. I personally really like it. I don't really read much because I have a hard time finding a book that is interesting. I would recommend this book to people who like survival books and have a hard time finding a book to stay hooked in the entire time like me.
January 28, 2014
This book manages to pack a lot of anxiety and nerves into a short little story. It was a quick and fun read but I felt like it was missing a lot. The relationship between Miles and Mr. Kurz isn't really built up at all but plays such a major role that it ends up coming across as just sort of an empty plot point.
There also wasn't a whole lot in the way of character development at all. The whole family is pretty static the whole story through although I think the author tried to build the father a little. Basically if you are looking for a fast post-apocalyptic read that you are into more for the anticipation and setting than you are the characters, I'd read it.
There also wasn't a whole lot in the way of character development at all. The whole family is pretty static the whole story through although I think the author tried to build the father a little. Basically if you are looking for a fast post-apocalyptic read that you are into more for the anticipation and setting than you are the characters, I'd read it.
August 24, 2018
This book was a short book but there was always something happening to keep me interested. A young boy named Miles and his family move out of the city to get away from the chaos that they now lived in. The world was going mad, though nowhere was safe anymore, the country was more secluded from the outside world than the suburbs. Miles meets a man of an older age that he is forced to do a school report on, but soon realizes that this man will help him through the rough time him and his family are going through. The obstacles throughout the book vary, going from small situations to larger situations. Smaller situations consist of problems like finding the right direction to go and paying a high price for food, while larger situations consist of problems like finding a place to stay for the winter and finding out people have been living in their house. Reading this book was a good of way of introducing myself to new type of book, I am used to reading more books that are written for girls or that are written by well known authors. Will Weaver is a very strong writer and keeps the audience intrigued, and even leaves the audience left with a cliffhanger. The book is a more adventurous book with a lot of love that is shown within the family. The tone of the book was often switching depending on the scene in the book, but the overall tone was a hectic one. The book had gave a feeling as if you could feel the families desperate need to get out of the city and to find safety as if you were searching for safety with them. The book also gives off a loving feeling because of the way the family members and Miles and the old man interact and help each other through the hard times. Memory Boy is a fitting title because this young boy remembers things of his past, especially from the older man he did a report on, to help him through situations.
April 14, 2023
Memory Boy, By Will Weaver, caught my eye on the shelf as I was searching for a book. The title and interesting cover art drew my attention, and after reading the first page, which introduced the setting, and main characters, I was hooked. The story follows a teenage inventor named Miles and his family, including his relatively normal mom, famous drummer dad, and goth sister. They are in a post-apocalyptic world caused by a chain of volcanoes erupting, and they are forced to move out due to the violence in the cities slowly creeping out into the suburbs.
The book begins with Miles and his family boarding the “Ali Princess” which is the vehicle that they use to get to their destination throughout the book, it is made out of 4 bikes, has storage space, and a sail that is used to get them up to a modest speed. They are leaving their suburban home to go to their upstate lake house. The book goes back and forth between the past and present giving background information while progressing the plot. Eventually, they make it to the house, but they find that two separate families are already squatting in their house, they aren't too friendly or willing to leave and one has police connections that allowed them to stay there, so they soon realize that this place is not an option and they leave after a few nights. However, the squatters are kind enough to give some parting gifts after stealing their house, so they leave with a goat and two guns. Soon after they are attacked by motorcycle bandits, but are able to defend themselves, they finally arrive at Mr.Krutz’s cabin tucked away in the woods and begin fixing it up for winter.
I think that the ending of this book Is relatively lackluster and anticlimactic this book reads like the first 5 chapters of a regular novel, barely ever even getting to rising action, let alone a climax, leaving the reader disappointed due to having an interesting setting and characters, but squandering it. However, despite that, I think the best part of the book is when Miles goes to visit the old man from the book, Mr.Krutz before leaving. Unfortunately, he finds his room filled with supplies and spare stuff. Disheartened, he shows real emotion, which is rare for him, and because the family that dumped him there didn't show up to collect his ashes, he is trusted with them.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It has interesting characters that you can relate to and a unique setting and plot that I have yet to see, with some familiarity from the apocalyptic genre. But again, the only thing that sets this book back is its ending without a real climax. Some other books that are similar would be The 5th Wave, By Rick Yancey, or Ashfall, by Mike Mullin.
The book begins with Miles and his family boarding the “Ali Princess” which is the vehicle that they use to get to their destination throughout the book, it is made out of 4 bikes, has storage space, and a sail that is used to get them up to a modest speed. They are leaving their suburban home to go to their upstate lake house. The book goes back and forth between the past and present giving background information while progressing the plot. Eventually, they make it to the house, but they find that two separate families are already squatting in their house, they aren't too friendly or willing to leave and one has police connections that allowed them to stay there, so they soon realize that this place is not an option and they leave after a few nights. However, the squatters are kind enough to give some parting gifts after stealing their house, so they leave with a goat and two guns. Soon after they are attacked by motorcycle bandits, but are able to defend themselves, they finally arrive at Mr.Krutz’s cabin tucked away in the woods and begin fixing it up for winter.
I think that the ending of this book Is relatively lackluster and anticlimactic this book reads like the first 5 chapters of a regular novel, barely ever even getting to rising action, let alone a climax, leaving the reader disappointed due to having an interesting setting and characters, but squandering it. However, despite that, I think the best part of the book is when Miles goes to visit the old man from the book, Mr.Krutz before leaving. Unfortunately, he finds his room filled with supplies and spare stuff. Disheartened, he shows real emotion, which is rare for him, and because the family that dumped him there didn't show up to collect his ashes, he is trusted with them.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It has interesting characters that you can relate to and a unique setting and plot that I have yet to see, with some familiarity from the apocalyptic genre. But again, the only thing that sets this book back is its ending without a real climax. Some other books that are similar would be The 5th Wave, By Rick Yancey, or Ashfall, by Mike Mullin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2012
When a series of volcanic eruptions spew volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the United States becomes devastated. Miles Newell is a normal sixteen year old kid, except that he has an exceptionally good memory, giving him the nickname Memory Boy. Two years after the first volcanic eruption, Miles and his family are finally forced to flee their home in Minneapolis. The Newell family plans to head to their summer cabin but gasoline is scarce, luckily Miles is also pretty talented when it comes to being handy with tools of all sorts. He constructs a vehicle made out of bicycle and sailboat parts he calls the Ali Princess.
The Newell family set out on their journey discovering along the way that people have changed, and not in a good way. They finally reach their destination only to find their cabin is already occupied, and the current inhabitants make it clear they aren’t going to leave anytime soon. Miles recalls conversations he had with an elderly man Mr. Kurz for his oral history project back in school two years ago. Mr. Kurz, an outsider who despised the government, lived off the grid somewhere in the woods near the Mississippi river. With nowhere to live and winter approaching in a few months, Miles convinces his family to head out in search of Mr. Kurz’s cabin. Miles soon learns that everything Mr. Kurz taught him and his accurate memory of all his ramblings, most likely saved the Newell family’s lives.
This story of natural disaster and survival is told through the first-person narration of 16-year old Miles Newell. Miles is a typical teen, he is sarcastic, continually annoyed and complaining about his little sister Sarah, and quick to mistrust most adults around him. Miles’ voice is real and honest; this makes him a likable character that entices readers. The story jumps back and forth between two years prior when the first volcanic eruptions happened to two years later when the U.S. is in a state of devastation; food and fuel shortages have led to hoarding, theft, and anarchy. The book depicts the physical devastation, but mainly focuses on the actions of those people affected. The contrast between two years prior and the current period where the Newell family is forced to flee their home is dramatic yet very believable. The story is not extremely fast paced but it holds the reader’s attention nonetheless, it is sure to make any reader ponder the question “what if…?” This story will certainly appeal to teens and entice reluctant readers as well.
The Newell family set out on their journey discovering along the way that people have changed, and not in a good way. They finally reach their destination only to find their cabin is already occupied, and the current inhabitants make it clear they aren’t going to leave anytime soon. Miles recalls conversations he had with an elderly man Mr. Kurz for his oral history project back in school two years ago. Mr. Kurz, an outsider who despised the government, lived off the grid somewhere in the woods near the Mississippi river. With nowhere to live and winter approaching in a few months, Miles convinces his family to head out in search of Mr. Kurz’s cabin. Miles soon learns that everything Mr. Kurz taught him and his accurate memory of all his ramblings, most likely saved the Newell family’s lives.
This story of natural disaster and survival is told through the first-person narration of 16-year old Miles Newell. Miles is a typical teen, he is sarcastic, continually annoyed and complaining about his little sister Sarah, and quick to mistrust most adults around him. Miles’ voice is real and honest; this makes him a likable character that entices readers. The story jumps back and forth between two years prior when the first volcanic eruptions happened to two years later when the U.S. is in a state of devastation; food and fuel shortages have led to hoarding, theft, and anarchy. The book depicts the physical devastation, but mainly focuses on the actions of those people affected. The contrast between two years prior and the current period where the Newell family is forced to flee their home is dramatic yet very believable. The story is not extremely fast paced but it holds the reader’s attention nonetheless, it is sure to make any reader ponder the question “what if…?” This story will certainly appeal to teens and entice reluctant readers as well.
March 25, 2016
Thought provoking story about a family's journey after a natural disaster of cataclysmic proportions that took place halfway across the country but affected the entire world. It does not read as a dystopian tale but rather one about something in the realm of possibility. My impetus to read this book actually came from a postcard I received in the mail advertising, of all things, an opera based on this book. Now I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
This was a book I couldn't put down. I liked the structure, alternating chapters between the initial natural disaster and the family's journey 2 years later. One thing that made this even more of a draw was that it is set in my home state, so the locations were very familiar, making them even easier to visualize.
This was a book I couldn't put down. I liked the structure, alternating chapters between the initial natural disaster and the family's journey 2 years later. One thing that made this even more of a draw was that it is set in my home state, so the locations were very familiar, making them even easier to visualize.
May 18, 2017
An apocalyptic tale of a United States in political/climate catastrophe, and one family's escape.
June 25, 2020
3.5 stars. A short survival road-trip story suitable for younger teens and older grade-schoolers. After major volcanic eruptions cloud the atmosphere, causing crop failures and the threat of approaching food shortages, a mechanically savvy teen (Miles) and his family decide it's not safe to stay in their big house anymore and head for their summer cabin on a bicycle/sailboat contraption he built. Worried that his parents don't realize quite how dangerous things have gotten, Miles is guided by memories of stories his sort-of-friend, a grouchy old man in the nursing home, used to tell him about living on the land. When things don't go as planned, they'll all have to depend on these memories to survive.
The story does a good job of showing how things might be once a major disaster makes normal society start to break down. Things haven't gone full Mad Max/Walking Dead yet, but they're clearly heading in that direction, with places becoming less trusting of outsiders and more exploitative of strangers and groups of local jerks becoming less law-abiding and increasingly brazen about it. It might be a good point of discussion for kids to consider how the situation for the characters in this book may compare to the situation for migrants or refugees from various troubled regions, or what they themselves might do if they faced a similar disaster.
Suitability: the perils are ever-present, reflecting the constant background anxiety of living on the brink, but there is no gore, gratuitous violence, or sexual assault (only implied risk along the lines of not liking how someone is looking at your sister, or recognizing that this person might be capable of violence), and I don't remember any swearing, so it is suitable for younger readers.
Though this book is listed as volume 1 in a series, it wraps up neatly enough to be a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger ending. Readers might be interested to see how these characters' adventure continues, but they could equally well stop here and be satisfied.
The story does a good job of showing how things might be once a major disaster makes normal society start to break down. Things haven't gone full Mad Max/Walking Dead yet, but they're clearly heading in that direction, with places becoming less trusting of outsiders and more exploitative of strangers and groups of local jerks becoming less law-abiding and increasingly brazen about it. It might be a good point of discussion for kids to consider how the situation for the characters in this book may compare to the situation for migrants or refugees from various troubled regions, or what they themselves might do if they faced a similar disaster.
Suitability: the perils are ever-present, reflecting the constant background anxiety of living on the brink, but there is no gore, gratuitous violence, or sexual assault (only implied risk along the lines of not liking how someone is looking at your sister, or recognizing that this person might be capable of violence), and I don't remember any swearing, so it is suitable for younger readers.
Though this book is listed as volume 1 in a series, it wraps up neatly enough to be a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger ending. Readers might be interested to see how these characters' adventure continues, but they could equally well stop here and be satisfied.
October 30, 2024
The first book I read is Memory Boy. The author is Will Weaver. The setting is in Minnesota. I found the book when we had the project and I read the back and it sounded like a good book. The main character is a kid named Miles.
The plot of the story takes place when a volcano erupts and its volcanic ash is spewing through the sky. The government is limiting houses to a number of items. This is making people panic so they're robbing other people. The main character Miles and his family make a cart out of bikes and pedal to their cabin in up north Minnesota. When they get there there are two families of squatters living there. Miles then remembers what an old guy told him about a cabin that was built on the Mississippi river basin. He took his family there and then the book ended.
The book ended in a good way. I would have liked to see what happened to the family or if they eventually could move back into their house in the suburbs. One of my favorite parts is when the family squatting in the cabin up north gives them two guns and teaches them how to shoot them.
I think this book was amazing. I would love to read the second part called The Survivors because I liked the first part and I want to read the second book. Some people I would suggest this book to are people who like exploring and people that like reading about natural disasters and how people survive them.
The plot of the story takes place when a volcano erupts and its volcanic ash is spewing through the sky. The government is limiting houses to a number of items. This is making people panic so they're robbing other people. The main character Miles and his family make a cart out of bikes and pedal to their cabin in up north Minnesota. When they get there there are two families of squatters living there. Miles then remembers what an old guy told him about a cabin that was built on the Mississippi river basin. He took his family there and then the book ended.
The book ended in a good way. I would have liked to see what happened to the family or if they eventually could move back into their house in the suburbs. One of my favorite parts is when the family squatting in the cabin up north gives them two guns and teaches them how to shoot them.
I think this book was amazing. I would love to read the second part called The Survivors because I liked the first part and I want to read the second book. Some people I would suggest this book to are people who like exploring and people that like reading about natural disasters and how people survive them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
Mount Rainier is gone - pulverized by a gigantic, volcanic blast. Now the dust has been clogging the atmosphere for two years. Miles Newell's family decides that living in a big house in the suburbs is no longer safe so they board a hybridized bicycle-ship that Miles has constructed and head north to their cabin on the lake. Along the way, they are harassed by gangs of roving looters and price-gougers in the few towns still inhabited. When they reach their cabin, they are shocked to find two families of squatters who have claimed the place. They have little choice but to leave, again in search of safety. Luckily, Miles has been interspersing the trip north with his recollections of an oral history project he did with an elderly resident of a nursing home - Hans Kurtz. When Mr. Kurtz died, none of his relatives arranged his funeral nor did they come for his ashes. Miles' unlikely friend comes to his rescue as he did on the oral history project. Miles, the family's Memory Boy because of his photographic recall, accesses Mr. Kurtz's memories to find sanctuary and provide for the coming winter. I wish this book had been longer as I wanted to see what Miles would do to make the cabin habitable. I wanted more description about the post volcanic world. Miles was a very interesting character but I wanted his parents to step up more and be the parents. It seemed like 16 year old Miles was the true parent.
November 7, 2022
*Possible Spoilers Ahead*
This was my boyfriends favorite book - of ALL time. So I decided to read it...no pressure right?! Well, I loved it. The only complaint, it wasn't long enough. - I wanted more!!
You immediately get sucked into the narrative & the characters win you over, quickly. Miles is the teenage boy you always picture, the one who is imaginative, wants to fix everything, build everything, and tear stuff up. But he fixes the Ali Princess - a mix between a boat/car/bike/extravaganza. All around where him and his family live there have been volcanoes that erupted and the ash is burying everything. People are running out of food, supplies, gas, and everything else. So they all hop onto the Ali Princess in hopes of making it out to their remote cabin outside of town.
They are in for an awakening however when they get to their cabin...its inhabited by vagrants. And those vagrants and their children will not leave, and they outnumber the family, and have a lot of guns...so they have to devise a new plan.
Miles before having to quit school and leave town did a school project with an older gentleman who helps narrate the story, and you fall quickly in love with his give no shits attitude. But you quickly learn he has a cabin also, even further out, and even more remote - where no one else knows it exists. So when the family knows they can no longer stay at their own cabin, Miles fills them in on this other - and they come up with a plan to get there and hopefully find it. If it for real exists...
Well it does! And they find it! And that is kind of where the story leaves you...I am excited to read the second book in this series though and find out how the family survives winter, what all they do to make the cabin inhabitable again, and more! Stay tuned... :)
This was my boyfriends favorite book - of ALL time. So I decided to read it...no pressure right?! Well, I loved it. The only complaint, it wasn't long enough. - I wanted more!!
You immediately get sucked into the narrative & the characters win you over, quickly. Miles is the teenage boy you always picture, the one who is imaginative, wants to fix everything, build everything, and tear stuff up. But he fixes the Ali Princess - a mix between a boat/car/bike/extravaganza. All around where him and his family live there have been volcanoes that erupted and the ash is burying everything. People are running out of food, supplies, gas, and everything else. So they all hop onto the Ali Princess in hopes of making it out to their remote cabin outside of town.
They are in for an awakening however when they get to their cabin...its inhabited by vagrants. And those vagrants and their children will not leave, and they outnumber the family, and have a lot of guns...so they have to devise a new plan.
Miles before having to quit school and leave town did a school project with an older gentleman who helps narrate the story, and you fall quickly in love with his give no shits attitude. But you quickly learn he has a cabin also, even further out, and even more remote - where no one else knows it exists. So when the family knows they can no longer stay at their own cabin, Miles fills them in on this other - and they come up with a plan to get there and hopefully find it. If it for real exists...
Well it does! And they find it! And that is kind of where the story leaves you...I am excited to read the second book in this series though and find out how the family survives winter, what all they do to make the cabin inhabitable again, and more! Stay tuned... :)
May 18, 2022
‘Memory Boy’ was subpar at best, even with my “stuck at boot camp, reading anything I can get my hands on” standards. Finishing it felt more like a chore, like I was just grinding my gears to see if it somehow redeemed itself on the very last pages. Every character, including the main protagonist, felt utterly empty. I want to give it the benefit of the doubt and say it’s simply for a younger age range, like middle schoolers writing a book report. Even then, they would be hard-pressed to find anything worth reporting.
The storyline itself was a jumble of substance less drama, and any tension was resolved as quickly as it was built, making for a suspense-less mess. It’s main redeeming factor was the ending, and only because I have a soft spot (trying to avoid spoilers here). Even then, the end was predictable. Characters were built and given bits of background which ultimately proved to be irrelevant, as if the writer was tossing things in just to nudge the meager storyline. A strong development of characters is my make-or-break for books, especially of this genre, and this book was most certainly a break.
Disappointing, and frankly a disgrace to the apocalyptic-dystopia genre.
The storyline itself was a jumble of substance less drama, and any tension was resolved as quickly as it was built, making for a suspense-less mess. It’s main redeeming factor was the ending, and only because I have a soft spot (trying to avoid spoilers here). Even then, the end was predictable. Characters were built and given bits of background which ultimately proved to be irrelevant, as if the writer was tossing things in just to nudge the meager storyline. A strong development of characters is my make-or-break for books, especially of this genre, and this book was most certainly a break.
Disappointing, and frankly a disgrace to the apocalyptic-dystopia genre.
December 5, 2022
I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book. I had it on my shelves, alongside Will’s other books, the Striking Out series and Defect and others. I guess I forgot about this one. One of my piano students, who loves to talk books with me, mentioned they were reading this one as a classroom book. So, I took it out and devoured it over the weekend. Such great pacing, likable characters, smart and inventive. It reminds me of Gary Paulson’s adventure/survival novels. I’ll be picking up a copy of the sequel The Survivors. Now, I have to know what happens to Miles and his family!
It’s not the pandemic, but much of the behavior is the same. Territorial. Suspicious. Price gouging. The Cascade mountains erupted and lava and volcanic ash cover the West and Midwest. Miles and his family build their own fantastic bicycle to get them out of the dangerous metro and Up North. They run into bandits and squatters, and suspicion everywhere. But, Miles has the memories of talking to a survivalist and heads to his remote cabin.
It’s not the pandemic, but much of the behavior is the same. Territorial. Suspicious. Price gouging. The Cascade mountains erupted and lava and volcanic ash cover the West and Midwest. Miles and his family build their own fantastic bicycle to get them out of the dangerous metro and Up North. They run into bandits and squatters, and suspicion everywhere. But, Miles has the memories of talking to a survivalist and heads to his remote cabin.
February 4, 2021
This is not a new book, copyright is 2001. Normally will not read older publications, however, with the current conditions of a global virus spreading, a survival story was not so much of a stretch of the imagination. No zombies (yay), just a real family facing the possibility of the city becoming too dangerous of a place to live (because of looting and violence), and there are no signs of relief from food storages due to globally devastating volcanic eruptions they decide to leave.
The family sets out to a cabin in the woods but learn quickly their passive ways must change in order to survive. The main character is a sixteen-year-old boy, therefore the genre would fall into young or new adult. However, it proved to be a riveting story that any adult could read and enjoy. Well, written and believable. To my surprise, a sequel to the book was released in 2012 and I will probably read it, too, even though I typical read suspense mysteries or thrillers.
The family sets out to a cabin in the woods but learn quickly their passive ways must change in order to survive. The main character is a sixteen-year-old boy, therefore the genre would fall into young or new adult. However, it proved to be a riveting story that any adult could read and enjoy. Well, written and believable. To my surprise, a sequel to the book was released in 2012 and I will probably read it, too, even though I typical read suspense mysteries or thrillers.
January 28, 2023
The real rating is 3.75 stars
I love the sci-fi aspect, and the different timelines, though the switch between them was confusing at times. It was almost a 4-star read because of Mr Kruz. I loved his character, and I wished we saw more of him. I liked how the book ended by mentioning him.
I wish we saw more of the mom and sister. Sometimes it felt like they were only there for some conversation aspect. I liked how it picked up the pace at the end, but I found it odd how it took half the book for them to travel from one place to the next.
Some things I also found confusing were the fact that no one in the house could drive?? and that they had to travel over 100 miles with a 3-bike renovation project?? the construction of it was also a bit confusing, but maybe that was just me. I felt like some of the travel was filler, but it was a quick read that was interesting and easy to understand most of the time. If you like problem-solving through stories, I recommend :)
I love the sci-fi aspect, and the different timelines, though the switch between them was confusing at times. It was almost a 4-star read because of Mr Kruz. I loved his character, and I wished we saw more of him. I liked how the book ended by mentioning him.
I wish we saw more of the mom and sister. Sometimes it felt like they were only there for some conversation aspect. I liked how it picked up the pace at the end, but I found it odd how it took half the book for them to travel from one place to the next.
Some things I also found confusing were the fact that no one in the house could drive?? and that they had to travel over 100 miles with a 3-bike renovation project?? the construction of it was also a bit confusing, but maybe that was just me. I felt like some of the travel was filler, but it was a quick read that was interesting and easy to understand most of the time. If you like problem-solving through stories, I recommend :)
January 23, 2018
Memory Boy by Will Weaver Is a book that can not relate to any other book I have read. The setting is pretty much a waste land, and everything is scarce especially fuel. And Miles and his family need to get to their summer cabin, but they cant because of how little fuel there is.
Miles, and his family have all great personality that fit into the story line pretty well, but the main character Miles does not fit in very well. Miles has a special power, he can memorize pretty much everything, he is also very smart, to escape and get all the way to their summer cabin Miles creates something related to a bicycle to drive to their cabin. And their whole family can co-operate it too. And they have fantastic adventures while driving. But their adventures would spoil the whole book so I wont say any.
Miles, and his family have all great personality that fit into the story line pretty well, but the main character Miles does not fit in very well. Miles has a special power, he can memorize pretty much everything, he is also very smart, to escape and get all the way to their summer cabin Miles creates something related to a bicycle to drive to their cabin. And their whole family can co-operate it too. And they have fantastic adventures while driving. But their adventures would spoil the whole book so I wont say any.
May 12, 2020
MAY 12, 2020:
I read "Memory Boy" sometime in fifth grade (2002–03). I liked it, but thought it ended abruptly. The grim tone of the story gave me pause, too. But how many YA books can you remember vividly almost two decades later? "Memory Boy" surged back from my memory during the COVID-19 lockdown. The image of people wearing masks and fleeing civil unrest resonates now, as every night on television we see mask-clad people, food rationing, and far-right protests to reopen the country. At least the Cascade Mountains haven't erupted, although Krakatoa erupted in April of this year.... Anyway, thanks to the good users of Goodreads for helping me find this book again. I'm pleasantly surprised to find there's a sequel. I'd like to read it at some point — although I may wait until the lockdown ends.
I read "Memory Boy" sometime in fifth grade (2002–03). I liked it, but thought it ended abruptly. The grim tone of the story gave me pause, too. But how many YA books can you remember vividly almost two decades later? "Memory Boy" surged back from my memory during the COVID-19 lockdown. The image of people wearing masks and fleeing civil unrest resonates now, as every night on television we see mask-clad people, food rationing, and far-right protests to reopen the country. At least the Cascade Mountains haven't erupted, although Krakatoa erupted in April of this year.... Anyway, thanks to the good users of Goodreads for helping me find this book again. I'm pleasantly surprised to find there's a sequel. I'd like to read it at some point — although I may wait until the lockdown ends.
February 7, 2017
I have recently read the book Memory Boy. The characters are Miles, Sarah, and their parents. Its Sci-Fi with a messed up future. It's a book that switches from past to present over the chapters. The characters were unique and creative, but there wasn't much character development. There was a small amount of action, even though there were many opportunity's. It goes through the story at a nice pace and isn't slow. They don't solve some of their problems and there are some unnecessary details. But I did like the concept of a Volcano erupting and effecting the earth. This book was pretty unique and has a nice way of explaining things. I would recommend this to anyone who likes distorted future books and a nice plot.
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January 8, 2019
I thought this was a pretty good story.
Miles is a intelligent boy who does a history report on a man
Named Mr. Kurtz however his true history report or knowledge of the old timer
Or true relationship is in his mind and that doesn’t surface or Miles doesn’t realize he has until a Volcano erupts causing a natural disaster. Now with this natural disaster his family and Miles have to learn to live through and figure out how to live in a world where the life they once lived has changed.
This was a enjoyable journey with a family who barely were a family anymore now coming together stronger than before. A family that works together bonds together.
Now to read book two survivors.
Miles is a intelligent boy who does a history report on a man
Named Mr. Kurtz however his true history report or knowledge of the old timer
Or true relationship is in his mind and that doesn’t surface or Miles doesn’t realize he has until a Volcano erupts causing a natural disaster. Now with this natural disaster his family and Miles have to learn to live through and figure out how to live in a world where the life they once lived has changed.
This was a enjoyable journey with a family who barely were a family anymore now coming together stronger than before. A family that works together bonds together.
Now to read book two survivors.
July 2, 2017
This was a pretty interesting story, especially because it's somewhat dystopian, but all takes place in Minnesota (and was written in 2001, well before much of today's dystopian-themed teen literature). Anyone who lives here and knows the Cities or "up North" will have no trouble following Miles' family and their journey away from the metro area to their summer home in the north. The story moved at a quick pace, and although I would have liked a bit more character development, the action was good. I'm definitely interested in reading the second installment.
April 29, 2022
A warm and inspirational tale about a traditional, close-knit, family dealing with external adversity along with all the typical coming-of-age issues for the children and changing family dynamics for the parents. Family values are tested, mechanical ingenuity abounds, social tolerance is stretched to the breaking point, all the while on a quest for survival in a world gone haywire. Written over 20 years ago, it resonates uncannily with today's headlines.
November 2, 2017
A natural disaster causes catastrophic global climate change, leading to the collapse of society. A 16-year-old engineering genius with a photographic memory tries to lead his family to safety. Danger lurks around every corner. A 90-year-old man might have the answer to survival.
The book was a page turner. I highly recommend it for older middle schoolers.
The book was a page turner. I highly recommend it for older middle schoolers.
November 5, 2018
Not my favorite I've ever read, but good for students! Lots of examples of figurative language, high interest, without being overly graphic or violent. The stakes could have been a little higher, but the characters were well developed. I thought it was a pretty accurate representation of what would happen during a natural disaster and after.
July 1, 2018
It’s great, I mean it’s an interesting and somehow touching story – I love the way it slowly highlights the bond of the Newell family
I just think that it needs more ‘actions’ to spiced up the story, cause I think it’s a little flat
I just think that it needs more ‘actions’ to spiced up the story, cause I think it’s a little flat
February 10, 2020
A volcano erupted and a boy named Miles and his family have to leave the city so they can survive. They struggle with many obstacles which cause a lot of anxiety. They have to make very hard decisions which could cause them their lives.
February 7, 2021
It definitely feels half finished, but I understand there's a second one with more mixed reviews.
But it kept me moving along nicely and had me thinking about the lengths people go to survive, the things we take for granted, and how quickly things can fall apart.
But it kept me moving along nicely and had me thinking about the lengths people go to survive, the things we take for granted, and how quickly things can fall apart.
December 18, 2021
I've read this before and, well, kind of forgot it existed. Really good, though; I love the style of writing, the length of the novel, and the end. Also, as a Minnesotan in the middle of Covid, this book was especially relatable.
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