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The Boy on the Porch
The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.
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First published September 3, 2013
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About the author
Sharon Creech
70 books3,288 followersI was born in South Euclid, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, and grew up there with my noisy and rowdy family: my parents (Ann and Arvel), my sister (Sandy), and my three brothers (Dennis, Doug and Tom).
For a fictional view of what it was like growing up in my family, see Absolutely Normal Chaos. (In that book, the brothers even have the same names as my own brothers.) Our house was not only full of us Creeches, but also full of friends and visiting relatives.
In the summer, we usually took a trip, all of us piled in a car and heading out to Wisconsin or Michigan or, once, to Idaho. We must have been a very noisy bunch, and I'm not sure how our parents put up with being cooped up with us in the car for those trips. The five-day trip out to Idaho when I was twelve had a powerful effect on me: what a huge and amazing country! I had no idea then that thirty-some years later, I would recreate that trip in a book called Walk Two Moons.
One other place we often visited was Quincy, Kentucky, where my cousins lived (and still live) on a beautiful farm, with hills and trees and swimming hole and barn and hayloft. We were outside running in those hills all day long, and at night we'd gather on the porch where more stories would be told. I loved Quincy so much that it has found its way into many of my books—transformed into Bybanks, Kentucky. Bybanks appears in Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Bloomability. Bybanks also makes a brief appearance (by reference, but not by name) in The Wanderer.
When I was young, I wanted to be many things when I grew up: a painter, an ice skater, a singer, a teacher, and a reporter. It soon became apparent that I had little drawing talent, very limited tolerance for falling on ice, and absolutely no ability to stay on key while singing. I also soon learned that I would make a terrible reporter because when I didn't like the facts, I changed them. It was in college, when I took literature and writing courses, that I became intrigued by story-telling. Later, I was a teacher (high school English and writing) in England and in Switzerland. While teaching great literature, I learned so much about writing: about what makes a story interesting and about techniques of plot and characterization and point of view. I started out writing novels for adults (published as Sharon Rigg): The Recital and Nickel Malley were both written and published while I was living in England (these books were published in England only and are now out of print.) But the next book was Absolutely Normal Chaos, and ever since that book I have written mainly about young people. Walk Two Moons was the first of my books to be published in America. When it received the Newbery Medal, no one was more surprised than I was. I'm still a little bit in shock.
After Walk Two Moons came Chasing Redbird, Pleasing the Ghost, Bloomability, The Wanderer, and Fishing in the Air. I hope to be writing stories for a long, long time.
I am married to Lyle Rigg, who is the headmaster of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey, and have two grown children, Rob and Karin. Being with my family is what I enjoy most. The next-best thing is writing stories.
© Sharon Creech
For a fictional view of what it was like growing up in my family, see Absolutely Normal Chaos. (In that book, the brothers even have the same names as my own brothers.) Our house was not only full of us Creeches, but also full of friends and visiting relatives.
In the summer, we usually took a trip, all of us piled in a car and heading out to Wisconsin or Michigan or, once, to Idaho. We must have been a very noisy bunch, and I'm not sure how our parents put up with being cooped up with us in the car for those trips. The five-day trip out to Idaho when I was twelve had a powerful effect on me: what a huge and amazing country! I had no idea then that thirty-some years later, I would recreate that trip in a book called Walk Two Moons.
One other place we often visited was Quincy, Kentucky, where my cousins lived (and still live) on a beautiful farm, with hills and trees and swimming hole and barn and hayloft. We were outside running in those hills all day long, and at night we'd gather on the porch where more stories would be told. I loved Quincy so much that it has found its way into many of my books—transformed into Bybanks, Kentucky. Bybanks appears in Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Bloomability. Bybanks also makes a brief appearance (by reference, but not by name) in The Wanderer.
When I was young, I wanted to be many things when I grew up: a painter, an ice skater, a singer, a teacher, and a reporter. It soon became apparent that I had little drawing talent, very limited tolerance for falling on ice, and absolutely no ability to stay on key while singing. I also soon learned that I would make a terrible reporter because when I didn't like the facts, I changed them. It was in college, when I took literature and writing courses, that I became intrigued by story-telling. Later, I was a teacher (high school English and writing) in England and in Switzerland. While teaching great literature, I learned so much about writing: about what makes a story interesting and about techniques of plot and characterization and point of view. I started out writing novels for adults (published as Sharon Rigg): The Recital and Nickel Malley were both written and published while I was living in England (these books were published in England only and are now out of print.) But the next book was Absolutely Normal Chaos, and ever since that book I have written mainly about young people. Walk Two Moons was the first of my books to be published in America. When it received the Newbery Medal, no one was more surprised than I was. I'm still a little bit in shock.
After Walk Two Moons came Chasing Redbird, Pleasing the Ghost, Bloomability, The Wanderer, and Fishing in the Air. I hope to be writing stories for a long, long time.
I am married to Lyle Rigg, who is the headmaster of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey, and have two grown children, Rob and Karin. Being with my family is what I enjoy most. The next-best thing is writing stories.
© Sharon Creech
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 980 reviews
October 20, 2013
I read the first few chapters and realized that my boys (ages 9 and 8)might really like the book, so I began reading it aloud to them before bed. It's perfect for reading aloud: short, interesting chapters written in simple yet descriptive terms. They were hooked. Who was this mute boy who showed up on the porch and what would happen to him?
The ending was unexpected. My 8-year-old cried. But both boys said it was their favorite book so far this year. Target audience reached.
The ending was unexpected. My 8-year-old cried. But both boys said it was their favorite book so far this year. Target audience reached.
January 18, 2023
A sweet, but simple story. I loved every word that was written. I felt the love that was growing in the story. The ending was unexpected and I almost had to cry. A well deserved 5 points.
November 4, 2013
This beautifully written book reads like an adult short story. The child, Jacob, in the story is mute and the point-of-view comes strictly from the adults. Jacob plays, draws, and interacts with the people and animals, but he never speaks out loud. It reminds me of the book, "The Prince Who Fell from the Sky," that has a boy who has no dialogue in the story. This technique makes me identify with the adult voice and seems off-kilter for the target audience of children. I liked the adult perspective on the uncertainties of being a parent, but will young readers connect with the characters and plot? I'm not sure. The pacing might be slow for some young readers, but oh-my, I do like how Sharon Creech puts sentences together. Just as Jacob taps out songs and sounds on any object he can find, Creech has a rhythm to her sentences that makes me want to sing. My only question is the audience and what students will think of the book.
John and Marta find a six or seven-year old boy, Jacob, abandoned on their porch with a note asking them to look after him. The note says the person will come back and get him, but as time passes it seems very unlikely. Because Jacob can't speak, John and Marta cannot find out any information from him about his past and who wrote the note. Months go by and they come to love the boy like their own child making them fearful of him being taken back and marring their happiness as a family. A nice message regarding what makes a family.
This story is about the transformation of John and Marta from a childless couple to learning what it means to love and care for a young boy. John is worried Jacob isn't boyish enough while Marta worries about him not having friends. They nurture his talent for music and painting and do not bully or criticize him. In return, he loves them unconditionally. The two struggle with telling the authorities about the lost boy because they don't really want him to be found by the person who left the note. They eventually do the right thing, but almost lose the boy over their choice. Creech shows how their decision was from a good heart, even if misguided. The story also shows the lack of laws in place to protect children from parents who don't know how to parent. In this regard, it might be a good book for a book club with grade 5 students. The story is only 150 pages so it is a quick read. The plot is well organized and the tension from wondering when or if the parents will come back for the boy kept me turning the pages. Like I said, I just don't know if students will take interest.
John and Marta find a six or seven-year old boy, Jacob, abandoned on their porch with a note asking them to look after him. The note says the person will come back and get him, but as time passes it seems very unlikely. Because Jacob can't speak, John and Marta cannot find out any information from him about his past and who wrote the note. Months go by and they come to love the boy like their own child making them fearful of him being taken back and marring their happiness as a family. A nice message regarding what makes a family.
This story is about the transformation of John and Marta from a childless couple to learning what it means to love and care for a young boy. John is worried Jacob isn't boyish enough while Marta worries about him not having friends. They nurture his talent for music and painting and do not bully or criticize him. In return, he loves them unconditionally. The two struggle with telling the authorities about the lost boy because they don't really want him to be found by the person who left the note. They eventually do the right thing, but almost lose the boy over their choice. Creech shows how their decision was from a good heart, even if misguided. The story also shows the lack of laws in place to protect children from parents who don't know how to parent. In this regard, it might be a good book for a book club with grade 5 students. The story is only 150 pages so it is a quick read. The plot is well organized and the tension from wondering when or if the parents will come back for the boy kept me turning the pages. Like I said, I just don't know if students will take interest.
July 31, 2020
Currently listening. Narrator is clear, pleasant, mostly great. Two minor problems: her characters don't always sound different from one another and like themselves (but it's a small cast and a well-told story, so no problem following), and she emphasizes the first word in "General Store" (I grew up putting the focus on the fact that it was a store, and not always even saying 'general' and certainly not emphasizing what kind of store).
Anyway. Done now. Liked the first resolution . Had to think about the second, the sort of 'epilogue,' but decided to put a certain spin on it so I could like it. Creech may have intended something different, or may expect every reader to interpret it themselves; I dunno.
Somehow I can't give it four stars though. It just wasn't magical enough. Maybe it was too short, or maybe I assumed that it was going to go somewhere it didn't, but in any case it didn't satisfy. I'm off to read others' reviews, because I may have missed something lovely about it.
Recommended if you like interesting little family stories and good writing.
Anyway. Done now. Liked the first resolution . Had to think about the second, the sort of 'epilogue,' but decided to put a certain spin on it so I could like it. Creech may have intended something different, or may expect every reader to interpret it themselves; I dunno.
Somehow I can't give it four stars though. It just wasn't magical enough. Maybe it was too short, or maybe I assumed that it was going to go somewhere it didn't, but in any case it didn't satisfy. I'm off to read others' reviews, because I may have missed something lovely about it.
Recommended if you like interesting little family stories and good writing.
March 21, 2017
I loved how this book made me feel! <3 It was almost like I was there with the characters. A truly amazing family story!
October 31, 2013
I almost shelved this book on my "parenting" shelf because it has a lot to say about parenting! Which brings us to the crux of the matter right off: will KIDS want to read a book that has so much great stuff about PARENTS? There are those transitional/short chapter books that focus on adults which have found good readership (Sarah, Plain and Tall perhaps), but they are few and far between. And this little book is primarily about the grown-ups.
A childless couple finds a boy on their porch, a boy who can't speak but who possesses great and amazing gifts in the arts (music and painting particularly). He can communicate with animals after a fashion as well. But the book is entirely from John and Marta's perspective, not Jacob's EVER.
A great statement about foster parenting, the gift it is to children, and how children/ unexpected relationships can enrich our lives beyond our expectations.... And it's beautifully written with succinct short chapters and just enough said. I'm going to be curious to see who picks it up more, grown-ups or kids.
A childless couple finds a boy on their porch, a boy who can't speak but who possesses great and amazing gifts in the arts (music and painting particularly). He can communicate with animals after a fashion as well. But the book is entirely from John and Marta's perspective, not Jacob's EVER.
A great statement about foster parenting, the gift it is to children, and how children/ unexpected relationships can enrich our lives beyond our expectations.... And it's beautifully written with succinct short chapters and just enough said. I'm going to be curious to see who picks it up more, grown-ups or kids.
March 29, 2020
I saw that one of my friends had rated this book five stars and said nothing about it. No one else had said anything. I was a little annoyed, but what can I do?
Read it.
So I read it and I understand.
Throughout the first half of the story, my mind was whirling, with improbable explanations for the boy.
It's an odd story, but very full of hope.
And when is it supposed to be set???
Read it.
So I read it and I understand.
Throughout the first half of the story, my mind was whirling, with improbable explanations for the boy.
It's an odd story, but very full of hope.
And when is it supposed to be set???
January 31, 2020
This is a unique book for children, because it's mostly written in the POV of the adults. Reviewing from the lens of an adult myself, I thought this was a powerful, well-written book. I have long been a fan of Creech, Ruby Holler is one of my absolute favorite books. I wish I had a child I could have read this or read it to, because I wonder how it would translate. Beautiful book overall regardless.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 29, 2017
A heartwarming little story about what words like "home" and "family" really mean. The story is simple, but Jacob's joy is infectious and there's a lot of emotion in just a few pages.
February 1, 2023
I would love to read this aloud and discuss it with kids. John and Marta are a compassionate couple who enter the world of foster care because of a strange experience that happened to them. A mute boy was just dropped off at their house one day and they brought him in and nurtured and loved him. The book is about how curious people can help one another out. And that investing in people, at any age, is worthwhile. Imbued with the lovely spirit that is SHARON CREECH.
*I think children would relate to the thoughts that John and Marta were having and how much they desired to "get it right."
On p. 67 when they discuss hollering and whipping, and reject both, I thought that was just great!
*I think children would relate to the thoughts that John and Marta were having and how much they desired to "get it right."
On p. 67 when they discuss hollering and whipping, and reject both, I thought that was just great!
August 16, 2015
Synopsis: A boy arrives on the porch of a childless farming couple (who don't seem to do much farming, but they have two cows). He's about six or so, and he's mute. There's a letter with him, barely literate, that says his name is Jacob, and 'we'll be back for him'.
A forewarning of my bias: Diana Wynne Jones was my hero, and the hero of my childhood. Stories where the abused/neglected kid doesn't achieve some form of escape or acknowledgement of this neglect gets my caw. Neglected or disabled or abused kids as life lessons to someone else? ARGH. (By the way, Jacob is all three of these.)
I remember reading Bloomability and Walk Two Moons when I was in the appropriate age bracket, and seeking out Sharon Creech in bookshops (Aiken - Creech - Jones - Pratchett... My own bookshelves were alphabetised, too.)
I have a plot problem with The Boy on the Porch. In that it sucks. And tells neglected kids there is no recourse because a father has the right to his boy. Kids are possessions. They belong to someone. And no matter what the kids feel about it, and the legal authorities and whatever nice people they meet along the way will not help them.
Stylistically, it's halfway to a fairytale. The town has no name, but is all American farming towns, where you can barter for jellybeans in the single store. There's an echo of the Depression, perhaps, with transient workers and having to get in contact via mail. It certainly doesn't allow any development of all the twists and difficulties modernity would give it. The Sheriff is by the law, but the law is whatever he determines is alright, and there isn't much of a structure which is enforced by a wider social, legal, or governmental framework. It is a Republican's one-horse dream town.
Which would be fine, except it *isn't* set in the Depression.
It's now-ish, or at least not too far behind now. There's an organised system for becoming a foster parent, and a lot of kids who need fostering, and there isn't an orphanage system. Kids from families with very few prospects and learning difficulties come back as college grads, because this is, to give it a very generous date, sometime in the last 40 years.
Let's talk about Jacob. Jacob is a child who is mute (reasons unknown, and not investigated), but loves painting and making rhythms and making music. Unfortunately, for a titular character, Jacob is not the lead of anything. John and Marta, his quasi-foster parents who find him on their porch, are the leads. The story is from their point of view. Their struggles to communicate with Jacob are discussed between the two of them. Jacob's fears, dreams, feelings, passions, interests, and friendships are only background. Jacob teaches them, the adults with names, that they can love kids, that art and music are valid forms of expression, that communication can take on many forms.
Think I'm saying Jacob too often in this review? It's because Jacob's almost always referred to as 'the boy', by everyone. In description, in dialogue, in reminiscing.
This is literally and metaphorically a story about a child without a voice! And the story took away his voice, and his name, and let him be abandoned and taken away because 'a father has the right to his boy'.
I was ranting to a writer friend who doesn't know kid lit, and she asked who a child reader is meant to be identifying with, and I really don't want the answer to be Jacob. For a kid who fantases about being left behind and found by someone who loves him and wants to raise him, this book kicks that escapism in the face, and then grinds it in cowpats. Because you will not be rescued, the police won't help you, and your parents have the right to you, whatever they do.
A forewarning of my bias: Diana Wynne Jones was my hero, and the hero of my childhood. Stories where the abused/neglected kid doesn't achieve some form of escape or acknowledgement of this neglect gets my caw. Neglected or disabled or abused kids as life lessons to someone else? ARGH. (By the way, Jacob is all three of these.)
I remember reading Bloomability and Walk Two Moons when I was in the appropriate age bracket, and seeking out Sharon Creech in bookshops (Aiken - Creech - Jones - Pratchett... My own bookshelves were alphabetised, too.)
I have a plot problem with The Boy on the Porch. In that it sucks. And tells neglected kids there is no recourse because a father has the right to his boy. Kids are possessions. They belong to someone. And no matter what the kids feel about it, and the legal authorities and whatever nice people they meet along the way will not help them.
Stylistically, it's halfway to a fairytale. The town has no name, but is all American farming towns, where you can barter for jellybeans in the single store. There's an echo of the Depression, perhaps, with transient workers and having to get in contact via mail. It certainly doesn't allow any development of all the twists and difficulties modernity would give it. The Sheriff is by the law, but the law is whatever he determines is alright, and there isn't much of a structure which is enforced by a wider social, legal, or governmental framework. It is a Republican's one-horse dream town.
Which would be fine, except it *isn't* set in the Depression.
It's now-ish, or at least not too far behind now. There's an organised system for becoming a foster parent, and a lot of kids who need fostering, and there isn't an orphanage system. Kids from families with very few prospects and learning difficulties come back as college grads, because this is, to give it a very generous date, sometime in the last 40 years.
Let's talk about Jacob. Jacob is a child who is mute (reasons unknown, and not investigated), but loves painting and making rhythms and making music. Unfortunately, for a titular character, Jacob is not the lead of anything. John and Marta, his quasi-foster parents who find him on their porch, are the leads. The story is from their point of view. Their struggles to communicate with Jacob are discussed between the two of them. Jacob's fears, dreams, feelings, passions, interests, and friendships are only background. Jacob teaches them, the adults with names, that they can love kids, that art and music are valid forms of expression, that communication can take on many forms.
Think I'm saying Jacob too often in this review? It's because Jacob's almost always referred to as 'the boy', by everyone. In description, in dialogue, in reminiscing.
This is literally and metaphorically a story about a child without a voice! And the story took away his voice, and his name, and let him be abandoned and taken away because 'a father has the right to his boy'.
I was ranting to a writer friend who doesn't know kid lit, and she asked who a child reader is meant to be identifying with, and I really don't want the answer to be Jacob. For a kid who fantases about being left behind and found by someone who loves him and wants to raise him, this book kicks that escapism in the face, and then grinds it in cowpats. Because you will not be rescued, the police won't help you, and your parents have the right to you, whatever they do.
February 1, 2022
This was cute. I liked The Boy on the Porch more than Saving Winslow since it felt more fleshed out in regard to characters and plot. It still wasn’t exactly what I wanted from it though. I found the second half to be much better than the first; the circumstances of just…picking up a boy and kind of lying to the police about it was a little weird. But the way things wrapped up was sweet!
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of january≫
╰┈➤ 1. all that's left in the world by erik j. brown
╰┈➤ 2. the female of the species by mindy mcginnis
╰┈➤ 3. the battle of the labyrinth by rick riordan
╰┈➤ 4. exit west by mohsin hamid
╰┈➤ 5. don't call us dead by danez smith
╰┈➤ 6. warm bodies by isaac marion
╰┈➤ 7. the other side of perfect by mariko turk
╰┈➤ 8. the last olympian by rick riordan
╰┈➤ 9. counting down with you by tashie bhuiyan
╰┈➤ 10. a matter of death and life by irvin d. yalom and marilyn yalom
╰┈➤ 11. the new hunger by isaac marion
╰┈➤ 12. dorothy must die by danielle paige
╰┈➤ 13. starfish by lisa fipps
╰┈➤ 14. one true loves by elise bryant
╰┈➤ 15. chlorine sky by mahogany l. browne
╰┈➤ 16. for every one by jason reynolds
╰┈➤ 17. fight night by miriam toews
╰┈➤ 18. shooter by walter dean myers
╰┈➤ 19. wade in the water by tracy k. smith
╰┈➤ 20. we the animals by justin torres
╰┈➤ 21. locomotion by jacqueline woodson
╰┈➤ 22. the strength in our scars by bianca sparacino
╰┈➤ 23. forbidden by tabitha suzuma
╰┈➤ 24. the song of achilles by madeline miller
╰┈➤ 25. burned by ellen hopkins
╰┈➤ 26. muted by tami charles
╰┈➤ 27. one of those hideous books where the mother dies by sonya sones
╰┈➤ 28. i’d rather be reading by anne bogel
╰┈➤ 29. and the ocean was our sky by patrick ness
╰┈➤ 30. saving winslow by sharon creech
╰┈➤ 31. the boy on the porch by sharon creech
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of january≫
╰┈➤ 1. all that's left in the world by erik j. brown
╰┈➤ 2. the female of the species by mindy mcginnis
╰┈➤ 3. the battle of the labyrinth by rick riordan
╰┈➤ 4. exit west by mohsin hamid
╰┈➤ 5. don't call us dead by danez smith
╰┈➤ 6. warm bodies by isaac marion
╰┈➤ 7. the other side of perfect by mariko turk
╰┈➤ 8. the last olympian by rick riordan
╰┈➤ 9. counting down with you by tashie bhuiyan
╰┈➤ 10. a matter of death and life by irvin d. yalom and marilyn yalom
╰┈➤ 11. the new hunger by isaac marion
╰┈➤ 12. dorothy must die by danielle paige
╰┈➤ 13. starfish by lisa fipps
╰┈➤ 14. one true loves by elise bryant
╰┈➤ 15. chlorine sky by mahogany l. browne
╰┈➤ 16. for every one by jason reynolds
╰┈➤ 17. fight night by miriam toews
╰┈➤ 18. shooter by walter dean myers
╰┈➤ 19. wade in the water by tracy k. smith
╰┈➤ 20. we the animals by justin torres
╰┈➤ 21. locomotion by jacqueline woodson
╰┈➤ 22. the strength in our scars by bianca sparacino
╰┈➤ 23. forbidden by tabitha suzuma
╰┈➤ 24. the song of achilles by madeline miller
╰┈➤ 25. burned by ellen hopkins
╰┈➤ 26. muted by tami charles
╰┈➤ 27. one of those hideous books where the mother dies by sonya sones
╰┈➤ 28. i’d rather be reading by anne bogel
╰┈➤ 29. and the ocean was our sky by patrick ness
╰┈➤ 30. saving winslow by sharon creech
╰┈➤ 31. the boy on the porch by sharon creech
June 19, 2013
Richie's Picks: THE BOY ON THE PORCH by Sharon Creech, Joanna Cotler/HarperCollins, September 2013, 160p., ISBN: 978-0-06-189235-6
"People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence"
-- Paul Simon (1964)
"Marta wasn't completely convinced that the boy was unable to talk. She wondered if he just was not ready to talk to them, or if he needed to recover from some horrible experience. Maybe he simply needed time. Always, too, at the back of her mind was the worry that the closer they came to know the boy and the more they loved him, the harder it would be to let him go."
A boy suddenly appears on the porch of a young couple named John and Marta. The boy is accompanied by a note that reads, "Plees taik kair of Jacob. He is a god good boy. Wil be bak wen we can."
The boy takes to the couple's farm as if he's been there forever. The couple takes to the boy, who gives meaning to their lives. The boy has a stunning and seemingly innate talent for making music and art, and the couple provide him instruments and art materials to feed his growth.
But the boy cannot or does not speak a sound. Given that the boy maintains his silence, and that the entire story is told from the couple's perspective, there is a growing mystery to unravel. As the couple falls more and more in love with the boy, their fear of losing him heightens.
For some reason, the young couple has also, previously, had a beagle appear at their farm. And subsequent to the boy's mysterious arrival, a cow also appears.
The boy learns to ride the cow. The cow, the beagle, and the rest of the animals at the farm adore the boy.
But where did he come from, and do they really only get to be with him for a limited time? If the boy is taken from them, will they hold onto the openheartedness that they have developed, in part, thanks to the boy?
"Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all."
-- Alfred Lord Tennyson (1850)
Just seeing Sharon Creech's name on an advance copy is good reason to rejoice. But this hauntingly beautiful story about loving without limits, overcoming fears of loss, accepting that which is, and the sounds of silence, is a truly special and memorable tale.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence"
-- Paul Simon (1964)
"Marta wasn't completely convinced that the boy was unable to talk. She wondered if he just was not ready to talk to them, or if he needed to recover from some horrible experience. Maybe he simply needed time. Always, too, at the back of her mind was the worry that the closer they came to know the boy and the more they loved him, the harder it would be to let him go."
A boy suddenly appears on the porch of a young couple named John and Marta. The boy is accompanied by a note that reads, "Plees taik kair of Jacob. He is a god good boy. Wil be bak wen we can."
The boy takes to the couple's farm as if he's been there forever. The couple takes to the boy, who gives meaning to their lives. The boy has a stunning and seemingly innate talent for making music and art, and the couple provide him instruments and art materials to feed his growth.
But the boy cannot or does not speak a sound. Given that the boy maintains his silence, and that the entire story is told from the couple's perspective, there is a growing mystery to unravel. As the couple falls more and more in love with the boy, their fear of losing him heightens.
For some reason, the young couple has also, previously, had a beagle appear at their farm. And subsequent to the boy's mysterious arrival, a cow also appears.
The boy learns to ride the cow. The cow, the beagle, and the rest of the animals at the farm adore the boy.
But where did he come from, and do they really only get to be with him for a limited time? If the boy is taken from them, will they hold onto the openheartedness that they have developed, in part, thanks to the boy?
"Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all."
-- Alfred Lord Tennyson (1850)
Just seeing Sharon Creech's name on an advance copy is good reason to rejoice. But this hauntingly beautiful story about loving without limits, overcoming fears of loss, accepting that which is, and the sounds of silence, is a truly special and memorable tale.
Richie Partington, MLIS
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January 7, 2014
*growls*
Alright, first I need to explain why I read this. I picked up The Boy on the Porch at BEA in a drop, because, hey, I like middle grade. I ended up gifting it to a friend who wasn’t able to be there that day (and I’m now sorry for her, though I have been black sheepy lately, so maybe she’ll like it more). Still, when I saw the chance to review the audio, I thought I ought, because I don’t like to not review things I got at BEA. Also, I would have DNFed, but it was only 2 hours, so why not finish, right? Basically, I hated this book, and rolled my eyes at just about everything that happened.
My first issue is that, simplistic writing aside, The Boy on the Porch really doesn’t seem particularly middle grade-ish to me. It’s not really about the boy on the porch, but about the married couple who finds him. It’s views into their (mostly empty) heads. Frankly, I find them incredibly boring now, and I imagine they’d be even less interested when I was a child. Who cares about the boring adults? I would want more information about Jacob rambling around the farm, communicating with the animals. When there’s that awesome, almost magical realism-y stuff going down, what do I care about John and Marta? I DO NOT CARE.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Alright, first I need to explain why I read this. I picked up The Boy on the Porch at BEA in a drop, because, hey, I like middle grade. I ended up gifting it to a friend who wasn’t able to be there that day (and I’m now sorry for her, though I have been black sheepy lately, so maybe she’ll like it more). Still, when I saw the chance to review the audio, I thought I ought, because I don’t like to not review things I got at BEA. Also, I would have DNFed, but it was only 2 hours, so why not finish, right? Basically, I hated this book, and rolled my eyes at just about everything that happened.
My first issue is that, simplistic writing aside, The Boy on the Porch really doesn’t seem particularly middle grade-ish to me. It’s not really about the boy on the porch, but about the married couple who finds him. It’s views into their (mostly empty) heads. Frankly, I find them incredibly boring now, and I imagine they’d be even less interested when I was a child. Who cares about the boring adults? I would want more information about Jacob rambling around the farm, communicating with the animals. When there’s that awesome, almost magical realism-y stuff going down, what do I care about John and Marta? I DO NOT CARE.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
March 14, 2014
Beautifully written book (wow-those short chapters that make you keep reading!) with adult protagonists and a fascinating little boy. It might appeal to parents more than elementary school kids, in so far as the story is really about two grown-ups who open their hearts to this little child, and the tale's tension is whether they will keep or lose this child. Plus, I'm glad this book is not about teaching a nonverbal boy to speak. It's about loving a little boy for being himself, and giving him the materials (art supplies, guitar) to give him the voice that is right for him. Yay!
The shift to foster care reminded me of CHARLOTTE'S WEB and Wilbur nurturing those three spiders and their descendants. John and Marta loved these little kids, but their boy was in a class all by himself, just like Charlotte is said to be in that gorgeous ending. This makes me think that this story is NOT about two adults saving a child.
It's about a child saving the adults. Teaching them to open up their home and find love.
I think kids will not enjoy the ending as much as adults will, because years have passed, and to a child's point of view, the titular boy on the porch is no longer a boy. Yet I feel like writers should take storytelling risks like these, and publishers should take those risks too. Think of MRS. FRISBY and how an adult can really work as a protagonist. The more kids can learn empathy for people young and old, the better their perspective.
The shift to foster care reminded me of CHARLOTTE'S WEB and Wilbur nurturing those three spiders and their descendants. John and Marta loved these little kids, but their boy was in a class all by himself, just like Charlotte is said to be in that gorgeous ending. This makes me think that this story is NOT about two adults saving a child.
It's about a child saving the adults. Teaching them to open up their home and find love.
I think kids will not enjoy the ending as much as adults will, because years have passed, and to a child's point of view, the titular boy on the porch is no longer a boy. Yet I feel like writers should take storytelling risks like these, and publishers should take those risks too. Think of MRS. FRISBY and how an adult can really work as a protagonist. The more kids can learn empathy for people young and old, the better their perspective.
March 14, 2020
As a foster parent, I was drawn to this story from beginning to end. I could not help but to think of all of the little feet that have walked in and out of our house over the past five years. Each child leaves an everlasting impact on our hearts. We have a family tree board in our home and each time a child lives with us, whether for a few months or a year, they leave their tiny thumbprint as a leaf on our tree. It is a piece of beauty in our home that we would treasure above the most famous of artwork because it tells the story of family! ❤️
January 9, 2023
When John and Marta get up to begin their day on their farm, they see a young boy lying on their porch sleeping. He has a note that says “Plees taik kair of Jacob. He is a good boy. Wil be bak wen we can.”
The couple has no idea who left the boy, and because Jacob is non-verbal, he can’t tell them. Time passes and the couple gets more and more attached to him, who even though he can’t speak is so talented with art and music.
Will the couple be able to keep the boy? Will they find out who left him?
This was a sweet story. I loved reading it. I can’t wait to share it with my grandkids.
The couple has no idea who left the boy, and because Jacob is non-verbal, he can’t tell them. Time passes and the couple gets more and more attached to him, who even though he can’t speak is so talented with art and music.
Will the couple be able to keep the boy? Will they find out who left him?
This was a sweet story. I loved reading it. I can’t wait to share it with my grandkids.
April 29, 2019
This was a library book my son and I both read and enjoyed. While not the fastest paced story, and with a rather ambiguous setting, we both genuinely enjoyed this short, sweet novel about how a couple transforms their lives when a mute little boy arrives on the porch of their old farmhouse. The book straddles the line between whimsy and gravitas as necessary for a child's audience, it also is told entirely from the perspective of the adults, giving kids a different experience than a lot of middle grade fiction today. 3 stars, as it's pace will turn off impatient readers.
June 19, 2017
This is a heartwarming story about foster parenting. it was very sweet.
May 28, 2022
I have no words, except this made me cry. In a good way.
November 28, 2017
رواية عادية جدا، أستغرب أنها توزع في جميع أنحاء العالم رغم مستواها المتواضع. حتى على مستوى اللغة، هي لا تفيدك بأي شيء. وجهة نظر.
February 25, 2019
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grades: 3rd to 5th
The Boy on the Porch is a heart warming story about a boy who shows up, unexpected, on the porch of a couple who has no idea where the boy came from or who he is. The couple teaches and introduces the boy to so many new things during his time with them on the farm. The couple finds their true passion in life: fostering children. The couple opens up their farm as a foster home after realizing how much they cared for the boy who showed up on their porch one day. After a long time, the boy ends up finding this way back to the house he once was dropped off at and they are all reunited after all this time. The boy, without them knowing, taught the couple what they were truly meant to do after all the years they had lived on the spacious and beautiful farm.
I would use this book as a read aloud with grades third through fifth. This story leaves room for many class discussions during read aloud. The story covers topics such as foster families and adoption and children may be eager to know more about each of these things during the course of the book. Another way I can use this book is to teach inference. The boy in the story can't talk and he uses gestures or body language to communicate. Students could make a lot of inferences on how the boy is feeling or thinking during major events in the book based off of his actions.
I think this is WOW book for me because of how hopeful I was that the couple would end up adopting the boy. I was waiting and waiting for someone to come back and get the boy that showed up unannounced at the farm. The story kept me thinking and wondering what would happen next and I loved that I never wanted to put the book down. I was so drawn to how the couple started fostering children and I thought the ending to the book was so bittersweet. I got so connected to finding out why the boy doesn't speak and the history behind his tapping. This book would be great for a fourth or fifth grader because the chapters are short and quick but the dialogue can be a bit challenging to read throughout the story.
Grades: 3rd to 5th
The Boy on the Porch is a heart warming story about a boy who shows up, unexpected, on the porch of a couple who has no idea where the boy came from or who he is. The couple teaches and introduces the boy to so many new things during his time with them on the farm. The couple finds their true passion in life: fostering children. The couple opens up their farm as a foster home after realizing how much they cared for the boy who showed up on their porch one day. After a long time, the boy ends up finding this way back to the house he once was dropped off at and they are all reunited after all this time. The boy, without them knowing, taught the couple what they were truly meant to do after all the years they had lived on the spacious and beautiful farm.
I would use this book as a read aloud with grades third through fifth. This story leaves room for many class discussions during read aloud. The story covers topics such as foster families and adoption and children may be eager to know more about each of these things during the course of the book. Another way I can use this book is to teach inference. The boy in the story can't talk and he uses gestures or body language to communicate. Students could make a lot of inferences on how the boy is feeling or thinking during major events in the book based off of his actions.
I think this is WOW book for me because of how hopeful I was that the couple would end up adopting the boy. I was waiting and waiting for someone to come back and get the boy that showed up unannounced at the farm. The story kept me thinking and wondering what would happen next and I loved that I never wanted to put the book down. I was so drawn to how the couple started fostering children and I thought the ending to the book was so bittersweet. I got so connected to finding out why the boy doesn't speak and the history behind his tapping. This book would be great for a fourth or fifth grader because the chapters are short and quick but the dialogue can be a bit challenging to read throughout the story.
July 5, 2020
The Boy on the Porch Book Review.
This book talked about a couple finding a boy on their porch, and their journey with the child and their foster care experiences. I liked how this book was not extremely action-packed or crazy, but it was heartwarming and a quiet book.
The boy also couldn't talk, so it was interesting to see what would develop after. This book was mysterious at times and happy at times. It was interesting to see how just one child could help them foster many children, and it is the impact of caring and happiness.
The theme of this story is to have fun and to be caring, because they were really happy when they were caring for children and when they were having fun, and it motivated them to help more children. Another theme is to do the right thing, because even though it might hurt, doing the right thing is good to do.
One thing that was confusing was that it said that the sheriff was a mean person, but through the experiences and dialogue, it didn't seem like the sheriff was a mean or bad person, so the author could improve on that. Another confusing part was how little the foster children were described after because I think it is good to give some experiences or information so the author has a picture in their mind.
Overall, this book was very easy-going and quiet, yet it was still very heartfelt and inspirational. I would rate it 4 stars and I would recommend it to everyone.
This book talked about a couple finding a boy on their porch, and their journey with the child and their foster care experiences. I liked how this book was not extremely action-packed or crazy, but it was heartwarming and a quiet book.
The boy also couldn't talk, so it was interesting to see what would develop after. This book was mysterious at times and happy at times. It was interesting to see how just one child could help them foster many children, and it is the impact of caring and happiness.
The theme of this story is to have fun and to be caring, because they were really happy when they were caring for children and when they were having fun, and it motivated them to help more children. Another theme is to do the right thing, because even though it might hurt, doing the right thing is good to do.
One thing that was confusing was that it said that the sheriff was a mean person, but through the experiences and dialogue, it didn't seem like the sheriff was a mean or bad person, so the author could improve on that. Another confusing part was how little the foster children were described after because I think it is good to give some experiences or information so the author has a picture in their mind.
Overall, this book was very easy-going and quiet, yet it was still very heartfelt and inspirational. I would rate it 4 stars and I would recommend it to everyone.
November 8, 2013
I really loved Sharon Creech's The Boy On The Porch. I loved it for many reasons, but, I'm not sure I can put into words just why. I loved how this childless couple, this out-of-the-way couple, this on-the-outskirts couple were transformed by the presence of a young, quiet boy in their lives. Marta and John were surprised--pleasantly surprised--when a young sleeping boy appears on their front porch with a note. The note reveals his name, Jacob, but, little else. Whoever left him may come back for him, but, there are no guarantees, no answers. The presence of the boy changes things, perhaps, they don't want to admit HOW much from day one. But their love for him, and their amazement and joy they find in watching him, caring for him, nurturing him, changes them deep down as well. Yes, some changes are surface: John going into town more often, trading more often, buying LOTS of jelly beans. But other things are quieter and subtler, I believe. One thing about the novel is the big question that no one really wants to dwell on: will the boy stay forever, is he theirs to keep and love forever and ever, or, will they have to let him go at some point. But the "ending" is really only the beginning. I absolutely loved some of the imagery. Especially of the old shoes and the shelves :)
November 3, 2013
I liked this book a lot, but I have to wonder if kids will. Everything is from an adult point of view, and the central mystery of the odd boy on the porch is never fully explained. This might be a book that I file away on my "Too Good for Kids" shelf, like Richard Peck's Grandma Dowdel stories. I recommend them to older adults who can really appreciate them.
June 27, 2017
This was such a sweet story. It will warm your heart.
March 22, 2020
Hmmm, I didn’t realize the target audience was 8-12 year olds! Perhaps that is why I had difficulty engaging in the limited plot. Adolescents would enjoy the story.
October 5, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
July 10, 2019
I loved this! It made me so sad, but ended on such a hopeful note. I loved the characters and related very much with the dilemma they were put in. I also loved what the boy on the porch led to. It was also a very quick read.
I don't know that very many younger kids would relate with the book; it felt more geared to adults despite being classified as a middle grade. It is from the perspective of the parents, the boy leaves the story entirely for awhile, and it is slower paced. Older children might be able to appreciate it.
I also felt that we didn't get very much closure about the mystery surrounding the boy. I would have loved to have found out more about him.
I would recommend this to adults more than to kids, but it is definitely one to try if you enjoy middle grade feel good books.
I don't know that very many younger kids would relate with the book; it felt more geared to adults despite being classified as a middle grade. It is from the perspective of the parents, the boy leaves the story entirely for awhile, and it is slower paced. Older children might be able to appreciate it.
I also felt that we didn't get very much closure about the mystery surrounding the boy. I would have loved to have found out more about him.
I would recommend this to adults more than to kids, but it is definitely one to try if you enjoy middle grade feel good books.
December 29, 2021
Oh my gosh! All the feels! I don’t know how much I’d like this as a kid, but as a mother (especially one who holds foster care close to her heart) this book is amazing! Only kids can touch our hearts in certain ways and this book reminds us of that. I don’t want to say much because I don’t want to ruin anything about the story. But I’d you like elementary school books and parent child relationships, read this!
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