Me & Mr. Bell

by Philip Roy

Alexander Graham Bell, Baddeck's most illustrious resident, and one of the world's greatest inventors, is also famous for the greatness of his compassion. It's 1908, and ten-year-old Eddie MacDonald shares the friendly inventor's passion for solving problems and for taking long walks. But whereas Bell is renowned by many for being the smartest man in the world, Eddie is just a local farm boy who struggles to learn to read and write. The elderly Bell befriends the young boy and encourages him to celebrate his successes and never give up.

Genres: Canada, Historical Fiction, Childrens

144 pages

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Philip Roy writes children’s books and Middle Reader/YA novels of adventure and historical fiction that invite young readers of all ages to consider the variety, vastness, and fascination of the world around us. Philip is especially committed to writing works of fiction that are devoted to social, global and environmental issues. Visiting schools is Philip’s favourite part of being a writer.

Philip studied Music and History before choosing a career in writing. Born by the sea in Nova Scotia, Philip has traveled extensively for research on his award-winning Submarine Outlaw/Un rebelle en sous-marin adventure series. Philip has also penned two historical novels including Me & Mr. Bell, (nominated for the Silver Birch, Geoffrey Bilson, Hackmatack and CLA awards), as well as Blood Brothers in Louisbourg, (long-listed for First Nations Communities Read.) Kirkus Reviews has called Philip’s 2017 Middle Reader, The Kingdom of No Worries, “a parable for our time.”

A prolific creator of children’s picture books, Philip’s has written 30 stories for the Happy the Pocket Mouse/Youpi series, 4 of which have been published, (illustrated by Andrea Torrey Balsara): Mouse Tales/Les contes de Youpi, Jellybean Mouse/Youpi et ses bonbons, Mouse Pet/Un ami pour Youpi, and Mouse Vacation/Youpi en vacances. The fifth picture book in the Happy/Youpi series, A Happy Halloween, will be published in 2021 under the artistic auspices of a new illustrator, Ms. Lisa Ferguson.

Philip and his family, (including their all-white cat, Ollie, named after Dickens’ Oliver in Oliver Twist), live in Brockville, Ontario, where Philip continues to write novels and compose music.

If you are interested in scheduling Philip for a presentation, please contact Leila Merl at leilamerl28@gmail.com and see our “Author Visits” page via http://philiproy.ca. You can also call Leila at 613-499-9485.

Awards and Nominations:

Red Cedar Book Award Nominee 2017

Communication-Jeunesse Nominee 2014-2015

Moonbeam Silver Medal for Young Adult Fiction 2015

Silver Birch Award in the Forest of Reading Nominee (OLA) 2015

Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award Nominee 2014

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People Nominee (CCBC) 2014

Selected for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids and Teens 2008, 2010-2014

Short-listed: Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014-2015

Long-listed: First Nation Communities Read 2013-2014

Resource Links: “The Year’s Best 2013.”

Runner-Up: New England Book Festival 2012

Runner-Up: Green Book Festival (San Francisco) 2012

Red Maple Award in the Forest of Reading Nominee (OLA) 2010

Silver Medal: ForeWord’s Best Book of the Year Award 2009

Langley Book of the Year Award Nominee 2009

Short-listed: Ann Connor Brimer Award 2009

Short-listed: Diamond Willow Award 2009

Short-listed: Rocky Mountain Book Award 2009

First Prize: Atlantic Writing Competition 2007

PUBLICATIONS:
Philip Roy has published 15 books in English thus far, including 11 Middle/YA Readers, and 4 children’s picture books. Nearly half of Philip’s books have been translated into French, (and there are more on the way!) All of Philip's books can be viewed via his website, http://philiproy.ca/books/, where you can read synopses, and find first chapter links for his novels. Sample illustrations for his Happy the Pocket Mouse picture book series can also be viewed via http://philiproy.ca/happy-the-pocket-....
For more information about Philip, visit: http://philiproy.ca.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worldview - Universally Acceptable

Age
Read Aloud - 8 yrs+
Independent Reader - 9 yrs+
Setting:
Location - Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Time Period - 1908

Review:
This is a gem of a story that young and old alike will enjoy. Utterly wholesome and wonderfully encouraging, this book leaves a reader feeling like they can overcome the obstacles in their life with hard work and perseverance.

Eddie, a young school boy struggles to read and write. No matter how hard he tries he can’t seem to put the letters in the right order. He wants to use his left hand as it is stronger, but that is not allowed at school. He is brilliant at math and helps the other children in his class, but since he does this work in his head rather than on paper he receives no credit for it. Labeled as slow and stupid the only future he sees for himself is that of an illiterate farmer.

When everything seems against him, Eddie meets Alexander Graham Bell who has a house near by. He encourages Eddie in his reading and writing and lets him know that no one is good at everything. He helps Eddie see that our failures do not define us, rather our successes do. He teaches Eddie that we can learn more through failure than success and every failure is one step closer to meeting our goals. He also encourages him to celebrate every success rather than personalizing each failure.

Through their friendship Eddie meets Helen Keller, who inspires him, helping him realize the obstacles before him are not insurmountable. He also comes to recognize that true intelligence is “the hunger that the mind has to know things”, not necessarily knowing the same things as everyone else. He sees that Helen Keller is one of the most intelligent people he has ever met, even though she writes with her left hand and doesn’t do everything the same way others do. He also learns not to listen to the gossip of others, rather to consider what the people he respects would have to say on the matter.

Eddie finds his own way to learn and uses his new found applied mathematical knowledge to rescue his father, when no one else could. Mr. Bell and his friends succeed in flying the Silver Dart even though everyone said it was impossible.

Teacher Application:
This is a book that should be read aloud to every struggling reader or different learner. Children who learn easily would be well served to listen to this story as well to learn compassion, understanding and learn to recognize different intelligence.

Any study of Alexander Graham Bell, Helen Keller, early flight , applied mathematics, or inventors would benefit from this story. It would make a wonderful jumping off point to explore any of these topic areas.

There are multiple historic, mathematic and scientific details interspersed in through the book, such as the curve of the earth, mention of the greek philosophers, simple machines, basic grammar rules and the scientific process.

Field Trip Opportunity:
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/graham...

Canadian Aviation and Space Museum - There is a model of the Silver Dart http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en...

Character Traits Taught:
Perseverance
Do not listen to gossip
Positive Self Esteem
Respect for Others Who are Different

Parental Warning:
N/A

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect little book! I loved every word. Philip Roy gives us an imagined relationship between Alexander Graham Bell and a Nova Scotia farm boy that becomes a deep and touching exploration of intelligence, difference, hardship, courage, love, and friendship.

I'm a teacher-librarian and before the day is out, I'm going to buy half a dozen copies of this little gem. The three I've got are just not enough.

[Ronan O'Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really surprised by this book. It is remarkably touching and readable but also full of historical detail. The voice of Eddie, the main character, is particularly strong and memorable. I did not realize the potential of a well-written Young Adult novel until this one.

[Madster Baptiste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book I cried when the boy saved his dad

[Ava McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It was so good! I learnt so much from it. I wish that there was a second one. I still wonder what Eddie will be when he grows up.

[Liz Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute for a middle grade read

[Camila]

This was a cozy book, and although I couldn't relate to the characters as a child, I really enjoyed their relationship.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie has learning difficulties. When it comes to reading and writing the words swim before his eyes and it seems like there are no rules that apply. In math, however, he shines. He can visualize and problem-solve. Unfortunately, he is judged by his literary ability and even his own family thinks that he isn't very bright and has a limited future. It seems his only future lies in being an illiterate farmer in his small town of Baddeck, Nova Scotia. A chance encounter with Alexander Graham Bell, however, leads to a friendship and a compassionate mentor who recognizes Eddie's gifts. As Eddie finds his talents in applied mathematics, and works hard on those areas in which he has difficulties, he learns to rejoice in successes, and learn from defeats. In 1908 there wasn't much known about learning disorders and this is an inspiring look at the issue through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy trying to find his place in the world. Philip Roy creates a real feeling of place and time, and manages to squeeze in a ton of information about simple machines and even Zeno's paradox. That makes it sound like the book should be dry as dust, but the concepts are woven seamlessly into the story. I think this would be a good read-aloud, and a hopeful book choice for those who have their own academic struggles.

[Sarah N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story about overcoming obstacles, understanding differences and embracing your gifts, Philip Roy's Me & Mr. Bell is a must-have for young readers. Roy flawlessly incorporates Alexander Graham Bell as a character, forming a believable fictional narrative about the book's main character, Eddie, and the world famous inventor, and tracing elements of history without making them the driving force of the story. Eddie's struggle with his learning disability and the perceptions of his family members, teacher, and friends take centre stage throughout the book, and would be relatable to all students with similar struggles and enlightening for students who are lucky enough to not have them. I'm excited to pass this on to a young person in my life. Pick this up - it will keep you smiling from cover to cover.

[Cheri Linton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book that encapsulates the nature of Canada's greatest inventor, Alexander Bell. Bell had an enormous capacity for empathy. The author succeeds in creating a character in Eddie to demonstrate Bell's humanitarian and inspirational qualities. This book brings to the forefront the idea that there are many different kinds of intelligence and Eddie in this instance excels in his own unique way. A quick but important read with plotting that will leave you rooting for Eddie all the way.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful read. This book goes on my list of junior fiction favourites. I'm reading it to my class right now.

There are so many things to comment on, but I am especially appreciative of the descriptions Eddie gives of his difficulties with reading and writing. These descriptions are an excellent reminder of the obstacles encountered, the amount of time, and the sheer hard work that students with learning disabilities must put in to keep up with their classmates.

I have asked my school librarian to bring in more of Philip Roy's books.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see how this book would appeal to readers aged 9-12 who have had struggles learning. I liked that Mr. Bell appeared in small doses, and that there were larger lessons in those small interactions. I found some of the book overdone -- especially since it told about feelings more than it showed those feelings. I think it would make a good read aloud. (It'd be a hard sell to most children I know because the cover makes it look boring and dry. I'm sorry, but it does.)

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, especially since I have been to that area and visited the AGB home in Baddeck.

Loved the way that the main character was acknowledged for his learning style, being left handed and accepted though different than his family, friends, etc.

[Francesca Caputo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful story of a little boy who cant read or write before hen meets the wise and sometimes crazy character Mr.Bell. He meets Hellen keller and other brilliant people who inspire him to learn what he cant do!

[Karen Upper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story that allows the reader to travel back to a simpler time in Canadian history...where a young boy shyly meets a famous inventor and the relationship that develops between them! A finalist in the Silver Birch Fiction category in the Forest of Reading for 2015!

[Carrie Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a young boy who catches the attention and confidence of Alexander Graham Bell and learns to value his strengths and work to conquer his weaknesses. Highly recommend this book to young readers.

[Bonnie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done historical fiction for kids. I went and looked up the 1909 flight of the Silver Dart over Baddeck Bay after reading. Great message, although almost too eager/sincere in its presentation.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and inspiring!

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. i really liked the story and meaning but, I found myself bored through out most of this book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction book is about a boy who was very smart but had trouble reading and writing. Meeting and talking with Mr. Bell (Alexander Graham Bell) changes his whole world.

[James Central · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really awesome book about the smartest person in the world and about a not-so-smart kid, but is great at math.

[Allen Central · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about one simple equation: imagination+creativity+hard work=invention.

[Fayenoel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay

[Brenda Noonan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book teaches kids that they can do things if they try.