Shaker Boy

by Mary Lyn Ray, Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

A lyrical picture book by the author of Alvah and Arvilla celebrates the world of the Shakers, which emphasizes work, devotion, and song, in the story of young Caleb, who hears angels singing and makes the songs into a book.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books

1 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Mary Lyn Ray is a conservationist and author of several picture books for children. She was born in Louisiana in 1946 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ray has lived in New England since 1964, when she first came east to attend college. She currently lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in South Danbury, New Hampshire, which she restored herself.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shaker Boy by Mary Lyn Ray Illustrator Jeanette Winter- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture & Musical notes book- Shaker is a religious movement started in England in the year 1774. Shakers moved to USA in 19th century. They established themselves in villages in New England and New York. Features about Shakers are men and women lived in separate houses. Among Shakers, men and women had equal rights. All decisions were jointly taken by a man and woman. All worked in farms, produced daily use items for sale in city for their survival. Boys went to school for 3 months in summer while girls went to school for 3 months in summer. They did not believe in toys. They did not marry. Musical notes are given in the script of the book. These songs were sung in the praise of God. Anyone could deliver their child to Shakers forever. This book narrates the story of a young Shaker Boy a named Caleb. His mother does not have the means to bring him up, so Caleb grows up with his Shaker family. Songs in this book can be sung in the classroom. Before the Shakers die, they see the angels. Before his death, Celeb also witnesses an angel. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured sketches & musical notes help the reader to relate to the story. Equal rights of men and women did take roots in American society later.

[Katie Sproles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to really understand what I️ was reading about. Quite honestly I’m still not entirely sure what “shakers” are. I️ could tell that I️ was reading about a very strongly religious community and for that reason I️ think this book is good for children to read and learn and how much religion may or may not have been valued in the past

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Caleb’s father dies in the Civil War, his mother takes him to live in a Shaker community so she can work in the mills. Caleb learns the customs and work of the Shakers which includes making brooms, making sugar, milking cows, etc.

Beautiful illustrations with deep, rich colors. The songs mentioned in the text are shown on a musical score.

[Megan Cureton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaker Boy is about a young boy named Caleb that grows up with his Shaker family. This book shows the work and devotion that has shaped the Shaker people. Every couple of pages there is a song that the Shaker people enjoyed. Of the seven songs, all of them are songs are Shaker collections. At the end of the book, I like how Caleb sees the angels and it is just the perfect ending for this book. I would have this book in a classroom library for students in first through fifth grade. This is a phenomenal book for children to learn about the would of the Shakers. I also like this book for a read aloud, because of the songs throughout the book. Singing these songs out loud with the students is a fun way to get the students involved in their learning. I also like the fact that after reading this book with the students, there are many activities to do with the students. We could draw all the new things we learned about the Shaker people, or even do further research on the Shakers to go deeper into the way they lived. I really enjoyed this book and how it lets students experience the way the Shaker people lived and see some differences or similarities between the way they live and how we live today. For example, how they didn't believe in toys, but they believed in school.

[Lisbeth Solberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whittwood Branch Library has a shelf for "picture books for older readers." Am I old enough?

Very expressive illustrations are reminiscent of Caroline Cooney's. At the end (spoiler alert!), Caleb, the main character, "sees the angels."

[Ted Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, because of its kid friendly way of explaining the beliefs and lifestyle of Shakers. I would definitely use this book to teach Social Science, and Compare/Contrast.