A Difficult Boy

Daniel Linnehan #1

by M.P. Barker

Riveting historical fiction from a debut novelist about the friendship that grows between two young indentured servants, one of them Irish, as they struggle to survive their harsh master in nineteenth century New England.

Farmington, Massachusetts, 1839. To help pay off his family’s debts, young Ethan Root must go to work for Mr. Lyman, the most powerful man in town. Ethan soon learns that his new home is full of secrets, and no one is more secretive than Daniel, the Irish indentured servant who’s put in charge of Ethan. A sullen sixteen-year-old, Daniel seems determined to make Ethan’s life miserable. The reason for Daniel’s surliness becomes clear when Ethan sees their master beat and humiliate the Irish boy. After Mr. Lyman treats Ethan the same way, Ethan realizes that he and Daniel must overcome their differences to survive.

The only bright spot in the boys’ life is Ivy, the beautiful chestnut mare that they take care of. Their shared love for Ivy breaks down the barriers between them. When Mr. Lyman threatens to get rid of the mare, the boys vow to stop him. If they want to save their beloved horse, they must uncover their tyrannical master’s secrets and take desperate action that could destroy them both.

Set in nineteenth-century New England, A Difficult Boy has been featured on numerous recommended reading lists and has received honors from literary, educational, and historical organizations.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Horses, Young Adult Historical Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2008

About the author

M. P. BARKER is a time traveler—well, actually an author, archivist and historical consultant, which amounts to the same thing. She draws on her experience as an archivist and living-history interpreter to write historical novels about seldom-examined corners of the past. She got a firsthand taste (sometimes literally!) of 19th-century New England rural life when she was a costumed historical interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village. There she milked cows, mucked out barns, and found inspiration for her historical novels "A Difficult Boy" and "Mending Horses." Both books are set in 19th-century New England and reflect her professional background and research work. The novels have been praised for their complex, nuanced characters, rich period details, and fluid storytelling. Numerous recommended reading lists have featured her novels, and they have received honors from literary, educational, and historical organizations, including PEN New England, the International Reading Association, and the Massachusetts Center for the Book.

About her experiences in living history, she says, “You can do all the research you want, but there’s nothing like sitting with your face against a muddy cow’s belly and getting slapped upside the head with a manure-soaked tail to give your story that ‘been-there-done-that’ feeling, and to add a new and pungent dimension to the words ‘in your face.’” She also was an archivist at the Museum of Springfield [Mass.] History, where she felt lucky to be paid to snoop through old diaries, photos, letters, and personal papers.

Her first novel, "A Difficult Boy," won awards from PEN New England and the International Reading Association and was on the 2010-2011 William Allen White Award Master List. "Mending Horses" was a 2015 Massachusetts Center for the Book "Must-Read" title, and a 2014 Kirkus Award nominee.

Barker is also the author of "Images of America: Chicopee," and co-author with Tom Shea and Suzanne Strempek Shea of "140 Years of Providential Caring: The Sisters of Providence of Holyoke, Mass." Other writing credits include exhibits, scripts for historical dramatizations, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, fundraising materials, and planning studies.

Find out more at https://www.mpbarker.net

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gr 5-8-When nine-year-old Ethan leaves his family to be bound out to Mr. Lyman, his father tries to make it sound like an adventure and an opportunity to learn a trade. But Ethan knows that it is a necessity: his father has no other way to pay off his debts to the wealthy shopkeeper. The Lymans' other indentured servant is a surly teenager who rebuffs Ethan's attempts at friendship. Mr. Lyman is initially affectionate and gracious to Ethan and warns him against spending too much time with Daniel, a "difficult boy" whom the Lymans call Paddy to underscore his Irish inferiority. But when Ethan accidentally breaks a plate, he witnesses how quickly the man's benevolent demeanor can transform into violent rage, and, after a vicious beating, he and Daniel begin to form a bond. But to the town, and even to Ethan's parents, the man is a shining example of virtue, teaching these boys a trade and "disciplining" them only when their misdeeds warrant it. As the boys' friendship grows stronger, Ethan learns more of Daniel's tragic past and the circumstances that have bound him to the Lymans. How Ethan and Daniel bolster each other and escape Mr. Lyman's tyranny makes for a memorable tale of friendship and a fascinating glimpse into mid-19th-century Massachusetts. Like L. M. Elliott's Give Me Liberty (HarperCollins, 2006), this is an eye-opening look at indentured servitude in American history.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

[Terryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely historical book about indentured servitude. This very realistic book looks at the issue through the eyes of a newly indentured 9 year old boy. He becomes friends with the Paddy, a teenaged boy who has been in service to the family for 7 years after a tragic accident killed off his entire family. The master of the house is cruel and often physically punishes the boys for very slight reasons.
The ending is EXTREMELY unrealistic, but I loved it. I always love it when the bad guy gets his cummupance.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The difficult boy is an Irish teen who is an indentured servant to the local storekeeper who is mean and underhanded. Everyone calls him Paddy because he's Irish and doesn't really rate a name. The voice of the narrator is a 9 year old newly indentured boy who attempts to become friends. It apparently took her years to finish this first novel which is quite lovely.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty story of two boys, an Irish teen and a younger boy, who struggle to survive as indentured servants during the early 1800's. Their changing relationship and how they suffer grabs you by the heart. The details give the story authenticity and texture. The middle of the story soars and I was pulled through to the end. Wonderful.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic historical fiction. Two boys (ages 9 and 16) are indentured servants to a man with a harsh temper...and a big secret. The 9-year-old has a family nearby, but 16-year-old Daniel is an Irish orphan who seems to be the butt of everyone's jokes and abuse. Daniel has to learn how to trust his new friend, and together they discover their master's secret.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed living with Ethan and Daniel as they came into themselves in 1839 indentured servitude. Barker includes lots of good details that make the history feel real, and my only complaint was that the antagonist seemed to cave too easily in the end, letting "the good guys win." Of course, I was rooting for them!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. A wonderful story of friendship, the characters are very vivid. The pacing is a little slow and the end comes two quickly and works out a little to neatly but it does not detract. Released April 15, 2008; First time author

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great build up to a very rushed ending. The story of Irish immigrants is well told as is the "indenturing" (is that a word?) of workers and servants in 19th c. New England. I'll recommend it to students in need of American historical fiction.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great read for a young adult. It is the story of two indentured boys in the mid 1800's and tells of the development of their friendship and the difficult lives they had as indentures servants. It is set in western MA. The author is local from East Longmeadow, MA.

[Jim Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I actually picked this off the shelf while I was working in one of our junior high schools. It piqued my interest only because it is similar in concept to a novel that I started planning and outlining a few years ago about an Irish boy forced into indentured servitude to pay his family debts. I put it aside because I got tired of wrestling with identifying an audience (which I must do prior to start the actual writing). This book has at least helped me see how a young adult audience is possible with some of the weighty concepts- though many of the concepts I want to explore more deeply in my own writing were brushed off here.

This story is well-written and I enjoyed the read, although I am not a connoisseur of historical fiction typically. I really enjoyed the development of the unlikely friendship forged between the two boys. Some of the vocabulary specific to that time could've used more context. I'm not sure if I will read the sequel (Mending Horses), but it was still a good read for a dabble into the life of 1830s America.

[Susan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with a very satisfying ending. Historical fiction, takes place in 1839. Ethan, age 9, is sent to be a bound servant to a wealthy store-owner after his father is unable to pay off his debts. There he meets the "difficult boy" of the title, Daniel, a teenager who also works for the store-owner. Daniel is surly and has many secrets, but over time he comes to trust Ethan, and they become allies in this family whose public and private faces are vastly different. Appropriate for 10+; there is violence, and Daniel's backstory is tragic with family loss. Addresses issues of racism (against the Irish). The boys are hard to please when there are no light sabers or magic wands, but I think they might read and enjoy this one. Or I might make them read it :D

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great example of historical fiction. It tells the story of young Ethan, who becomes indentured as a result of his father's debts. During his time as an indentured servant, he befriends Daniel, a teenager who is also working for Mr. Lyman. I loved seeing their unlikely friendship develop into a brotherly bond. However, I thought that the abuse that took place in the book was a little harsh when I read the age range that this book was supposedly written for.

[Danielle Routh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is really the main problem with this book that I've loved since high school. It's incredibly satisfying, but it's also incredibly unrealistic, and I can't help but wish that Barker could have crafted an ending that was both. I love the relationship between Daniel and Ethan and do appreciate the way Barker doesn't shy away from the more unsavory elements of life in the nineteenth century.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good historical fiction novel! I love Daniel and Ethan's child-like kindness and genuine goodness. For such a tragic past, Daniel is a wonderful brother.
This book exemplifies pure and true friendship.

I loved the horse, Irish, and other aspects that added a bit of "magic" to the book. All the moments of Daniel and Ethan being "brothers" made me so happy.

A bitter-sweet ending, but well worth the read. :)

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had thought that quality young people's literature went out with the fifties, but this proved me wrong. This was good. It was interesting while being informative and entertaining. It is one of those wonderful books which is acceptable for children but with enough mental stimulation that an adult will enjoy it as well.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine year old Ethan is apprenticed to Mr. Lyman, who holds the mortgage to his family's farm. There he befriends Daniel, the Irish teen who works for Mr. Lyman. Both boys face brutal "discipline." These well developed characters stay with you after you put the book down. Great story.

[Barbara Moher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about indentured servants . The main character is a 9 year old boy whose father owes money and therefore has no choice but to send his son to work! Sad and horrifying situation! I thought the ending was unrealistic, but satisfying to read.

[Lisa Nocita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan is a young boy whose family has fallen on hard times. His father indentures him to the prosperous merchant in town, Mr. Lyman. Although Ethan can't imagine leaving home, he knows that his family is depending on him to help them. Mr. Lyman believes he's giving the boy opportunities to learn he might not ever have otherwise as well as some much needed discipline. While Mr. Lyman appears to be all smiles and a generous benefactor, appearances can be deceiving as Ethan quickly finds out. Ethan meets Daniel at Mr. Lyman's house, an Irish young man who is also indentured. Daniel, a.k.a. Paddy is several years older than Ethan and teaches Daniel how to survive his time with the Lymans. Daniel is treated especially harshly in the Lyman household because he is Irish. Daniel's greatest love is the Lyman's mare, Ivy. He dreams of one day being her owner. Ethan, though very young, is accustomed to hard farm work and proves himself to be a most upstanding individual of character, more so than any of the other characters who populate the book.

A Difficult Boy is historical fiction. The patient reader will be well rewarded by this thoughtful and moving story of rural America in the 1800's. What continually amazes me are the hard-luck stories of such young children. It is often difficult for me to imagine young children doing such hard labor and living in such impoverished circumstances. That reality is very different from my world in 2010. I think kids should read this if for no other reason than appreciating the fact that they live in today's world in the United States.

[Charlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1829 when Ethan's father learns that he is so far in debt to Mr. Lyman that he will soon lose everything he and his family have worked to build. To help the family, Mr. Lyman agrees to take on Ethan, age 9, for nine years of indentureship to fulfill the debt and Ethan's father explains to Ethan the necessity of his servitude. Lyman's home is not so far by distance, but being separated from his family weighs heavily on such a young child. Ethan will spend part of his time at Mr. Lyman's store and the rest working on the Lyman farm. Silas Lyman, the eldest of Lyman's children, chooses Daniel, another indentured servant, to train Ethan for work on the farm. Daniel is older than Ethan, but he is treated with disrespect by anyone except fellow servants because he is Irish and Catholic. The Lymans and others refer to him by the derisive nickname "Paddy." Mr. Lyman never lets up on Daniel and too soon Ethan is included in the floggings.

Ethan appears to be the only one who sees any goodness in Daniel or realizes the love between Daniel and Ivy, the mare he grooms and rides secretly. Helping Daniel, the difficult boy, becomes Ethan's mission at the Lyman farm, but can a nine-year-old child save himself, a boy, and a horse?

The book enveloped me with the historical details and the longings of Daniel and Ethan. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip through the past.

[Sharon Looby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Difficult Boy was a very interesting read for me. I have not read many books (in fact, I believe this was my first) on indentured servants. The year is 1839 and 9 year old Ethan leaves home to go live and work for the Murphy's to help pay off his families debt to this well respected businessman. Ethan's dad is a farmer and can grow crops but he isn't a businessman and doesn't scrutinize the families books. It is during the time of Ethan's indentured service that he develops a great fondness and forges a friendship with Daniel, a young Irish boy who also works for the Murphy's. the Murphy's attitude towards Daniel startles Ethan and only pushes Ethan to become even closer to Daniel. Daniel teaches Ethan ways to outsmart the Murphy's and in the end both Ethan and Daniel uncover the dishonesty of Mr. Murphy, not only to Ethan's family but also how he has cheated Daniel out of his families land. It amazes me that even back in the1800's, people schemed all in the name of money. Another outstanding historical fiction book that transcends time and place and while we may not have "indentured servants" today, we still have people that will go to any length for money.

[Margo Martin]

Ethan, a nine year old boy, gets sent off to be an indentured servant for Mr. Lyman due to his father’s bulky debt to him. This book takes place in1839 in Massachusetts, where the abusive Mr. Lyman has not one, but now two indentured servants. In addition to Ethan, there is Daniel who is a young teenage boy. He has grown to be grumpy and dreadful to be around after years of Mr. Lyman’s abuse. However, themes of friendship and unity characterize this book as the two young boys begin to get along, and depend on each other to survive in their merciless environment. Prejudice is also integrated into this book as the Puritans of the 19th century held a strong prejudice against the Catholic Irish church at the time, illustrating the different cultures of religion that were present hundreds of years ago. One of my favorite parts of this book is the example of two young boys that were culturally polarized, yet did not physically look culturally diverse based off of their skins color. This book symbolizes that culture is based off of one’s traditions, the way they were raised, and what is important to them, and it is not based off of skin color or ethnicity.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan's father, a farmer who is better at planting than at managing his finances, sends his 9-year-old son to work their debts to the family's creditor, a local storeowner and respected business man. The other bound servant, an Irish boy several years older than Ethan, is the focus of the storekeeper's violent conception of child disciplining. Ethan, who sees beyond the rude stereotypes that the other farm workers have against the Irish, befriends the older boy and slowly pieces together their master's unknown dark side.

Set in the mid-to-late 19th century, the novel's historical setting is both clear and remarkably present. There are very few instances of gratuitous "this is what people did back then" moments, and the author does an excellent job of making the rural, pre-industrialized setting feel both normal and familiar. The strong primary characters and useful secondary characters combine with the setting to flesh out this ambitious novel about indentured servitude, ethnic discrimination, and fervent delusions of righteousness.

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ethan, a nine year old boy, gets sent off to be an indentured servant for Mr. Lyman due to his father’s bulky debt to him. This book takes place in1839 in Massachusetts, where the abusive Mr. Lyman has not one, but now two indentured servants. In addition to Ethan, there is Daniel who is a young teenage boy. He has grown to be grumpy and dreadful to be around after years of Mr. Lyman’s abuse. However, themes of friendship and unity characterize this book as the two young boys begin to get along, and depend on each other to survive in their merciless environment. Prejudice is also integrated into this book as the Puritans of the 19th century held a strong prejudice against the Catholic Irish church at the time, illustrating the different cultures of religion that were present hundreds of years ago.

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading "A Difficult Boy" by M. P. Barker even though it is a teen historical fiction book set in Massachusetts in 1839. It is the story of two indentured servants, Ethan (9 yrs. old) and an orphan named Daniel aka Paddy, a few years older (who become friends and worked together to get their freedom. This book kept my interest all the way through and I felt sorry for the boys and anger towards their abusive master, Mr. Lyman, the town's well respected storekeeper.. What a creep he was! My favorite part of the book though was when Daniel taught Ethan how to ride Ivy, Mr. Lyman's horse. I also liked the ending!

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or stories about friendship. I think this would make a very good movie!
(Karen's review)

[Judy Desetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

This story deals with the extreme prejudice against Catholics during Early American History. It also deals with child labor and child abuse.

Two boys are indentured out to a storekeeper who is narrow minded and bent on keeping the poor in a subservient role. The storekeeper is dishonest and very "two faced" showing compassion and kindness while he is cheating people of their money and in private beating his indentured boys for small slights. The story highlights what it takes to be a friend to someone.

Will need some discussion for students to get the most from the book.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is targeted to middle school and young adults, I found it a fascinating read at my ripe old age of 63! It takes place in 1829 in Massachusetts and tells the story of 2 boys who ended up as indentured servants to pay off debts owed by their fathers. The older boy, Daniel, has been abused and mistreated throughout his life merely for being Irish. The main character of the book, Ethan, is 9 years old when he becomes an indentured servant. The 2 boys form a friendship in their servitude under harsh, abusive Mr. Lyman. The author has done a wonderful job in creating the characters of these 2 boys and I felt myself pulled right into their plight.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the spring of 1839 9-year-old Ethan Root finds himself an indentured servant to a cruel, dishonest man. But no one would believe it of Mr. Lyman. Ethan's fellow servant, Daniel, can attest to the almost daily abuse the boys receive. Of course, Daniel takes the brunt of it because he's Irish.

As the months pass by Ethan bonds with Daniel and learns a lot about hard work and running a farm. He also learns about loneliness, pain and fear. But when Mr. Lyman plans on selling off a very valuable filly who has a very strong bond with Daniel, Ethan knows that it will be the last straw for Daniel. He'll have nothing left.

[Mrs. Hassig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a William Allen White nominee this year and a book I wanted to read because of the cover. It took me a while to finish it because of the abuse given the two boys in it. I had to take a break from it every once in awhile. I knew that indenture was often as bad as slavery, but I had no idea. The only difference really was your servitude had a time limit - unless your master was a liar and a crook and knew how to cook the books! Early 19th century America had no true regard for its children, the Irish, and Catholics. Remember the quote "The character of a nation can be found in how they treat their children." You only have to meet Daniel "Paddy" and Ethan to realize this.

[Cynthia Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book late into the night until I finished it. Excellent story that describes in vivid detail the life of an indentured servant, Ethan, a boy of 9 years, sent to learn a trade to pay off his father's debts. Ethan is bound to a rough wealthy shopkeeper and makes friends with Daniel, the Irish "difficult boy" who is at first surly and rebuffs friendship with Ethan. There is tight-rope emotional adventure, a warming of hearts between the boys, and a glimpse at the tyranny of class struggles in mid-19-th-century Massachusetts. This writer will hopefully write more historical novels!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young boys, Ethan & Daniel (aka. Paddy) are indentured servants for Mr. Lyman. He is the rich man in a town in Massachusetts and many families are in debt to him because he owns the town store. Ethan and Daniel get whipped whenever they do anything wrong, and they are on a strict work schedule. However, if Ethan doesn’t work for Mr. Lyman his family will lose their farm. This teaches children how the indentured servitude was used in the 1800’s, especially where immigrants were concerned. This is a very educational book that goes well with common core.