The Hidden Boy

Bell Hoot #1

by Jon Berkeley

You are the lucky winner of a Blue Moon Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure. It’ll be the trip of a lifetime! The tour leaves from the Blue Moon office at 11 p.m. sharp. Groups of seven only. No pets. When the Flints win the trip to Bell Hoot, they board Captain Bontoc’s Blue Moon Mobile with the expectation of a grand holiday. Then something terrible Bea Flint’s little brother, Theo, disappears on the journey, and the peculiar Ledbetter clan of Bell Hoot, who call Theo the Hidden Boy, is more desperate than even Bea and her family to find him. Bea will have to trust herself and the weird and wise words of an old man called Arkadi in order to find Theo. In her search, she’ll discover that Bell Hoot is more than a vacation destination, a wish is no good unless you give it legs, and Mumbo Jumbo is much more than nonsense—it’s hidden potential that she can find within herself. Jon Berkeley sends readers on the adventure of a lifetime with this first installment of a saga about a mysterious place called Bell Hoot, where strange and wonderful things happen.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, Childrens, Magic

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Jon Berkeley was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and says he went to a school where "you were only allowed go to the bathroom if you asked in Irish." His love of art led him to study at the National College of Art and Design. From there he went to work as an illustrator in Hong Kong, Barcelona, London and Sydney.

Jon worked as an illustrator for twenty years before turning his hand to writing. He wrote Chopsticks in 2004, a story about the friendship between a mouse and a dragon, and his first novel, The Palace of Laughter, is in bookshops now! Jon currently lives in Spain with his wife and their five kids, five cats and a "small colony of stick insects."

Reviews

[Kat Hooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Bea Flint’s family has won “the adventure of a lifetime” for seven people, so they grab Phoebe from next door, and Gabby, the clockwork girl who’s always lived in their house, and board the submarine bus for Bell Hoot. But while the bus is under water, Bea’s brother Theo disappears with a “pop.” When Bea and Phoebe set out to find Theo, they discover that Bell Hoot is not a normal vacation destination, that Bea’s family is not quite normal either, and what “the adventure of a lifetime” really means.

The Hidden Boy is a quick-paced, fun story with delightfully eccentric characters and an entertaining plot that never lags. Not much is believable (e.g., the Flints don’t ask Phoebe’s parents if they can take her with them, they let Bea explore Bell Hoot after Theo has disappeared and there are enemies around), but I didn’t mind — quirky tales can get away with this kind of absurdity.

There are still many questions to answer (Who are the Gummint? Who is Gabby? What is Arkadi up to?) and lots of room to explore Bell Hoot. A sequel, The Sleeper’s Moon, will be released in October. The Bell Hoot Fables will be a great series for kids who enjoy preposterous stories full of strange but charming characters.

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm ambivalent about this one. It . . . offers so many bits and pieces that don't get much time in the story, so I'm wondering if there are earlier books or will be later books on this place. I'm not entirely thrilled with it, the story is by turns slightly funny/clever and then becomes a bit scary/violent in startling ways for a book of this tone and type. Can't really recommend it. It wasn't absolutely awful or anything but I'd be hard pressed to talk this one up to an audience or think of anyone who'd particularly like this.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so light and refreshing to read. I found myself smiling on just about every page because the story was so unexpected, and even though I knew it was going to have a happy ending (how could it not?) the journey was just fun to go through.

I also found myself hoping that there was a sequel that I could read, because I could enjoy reading more about these characters and their story. Clockwork Gabby? Come on, I need to know her story. And the Gummints... there is clearly more there to discover.

A sequel, please.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for young readers....most 9 year olds could read it and it will hold the interest of most 11 to 12 year olds. It is well written...particularly for this age group...it moves quickly, but not so quickly that the characters are shallow....

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Quick read.

[Heera Narang · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept, seemed promising. The clockwork Gabby idea for example, wasn't really filled out as much as I would have liked. Overall, didn't really like it, I think it was the writing style. Perhaps it could have done with a little more exposition.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some things that I really enjoyed about this book, perhaps most of all Bea's ability to discern things by hearing the sounds of the bees. It wasn't an amazing book, but an enjoyable read and I certainly did want to know how it would end.

[Braham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe for younger readers?

[A.M. Reynwood]

This is a quick read for advanced readers, but whatever your level is super fun with interesting characters, mystery, and adventure!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I AM SO CONFUSED! This book explains literally nothing! Nothing! And it resolves nothing! What even just happened?!

...I do love Gabby though, she was very cute.

[Sophie Riggsby / allthingsequilateral · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "once in a lifetime journey" offer always has a sense of foreboding. It's like you should know better but for the sake of the journey -- you don't.

When Bea's family accepts the offer things start to go wrong, not when they reach the destination but during the journey. And it goes wrong in a big way -- her brother goes missing. Yes, right in the midst of their trip.

So begins an introduction to a plot that will leave you wrapped up in its lovely imagery. The Hidden Boy explores family ties and the sense that we may all be connected to each other in some mysterious way. Even the isolated villains, The Ledbetters, are connected to everyone else in this magical world created by Jon Berkeley.

What I liked the best was how Bea had the key to solve the mystery of the missing brother and as she explored the strange new world and discovered its inherent magic, she began to unlock the prophecy of the Hidden Boy. Bea is a strong, determined character and one that both middle grade girls and boys will easily relate to and love.

If you like mysteries where families work together through a crisis which would tear most families apart and if you like to explore new mythologies and fantasy worlds, you will love The Hidden Boy. It is a journey filled with family bonds and the thrill of discovering that magic is all around us.

[H. Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book desperately needs a new cover that more accurately portrays the complete amazingness contained within. Despite my adoration of The Wednesday Tales, I wasn't terribly excited about this book, but once you open the pages it takes a blender to your guts and you read the whole thing without blinking. It's terrifying, but it's not a "horror" story. It's a fantasy story, but it's different and unexpected with a whole world of bizarrely wonderful things waiting to leap out at you. It's a complete book, but I need more -- What happened to Clockwork Gabby to make her the way she is? Why does Arkadi have a meercat tattoo, and where has he been for forty years? What makes Theo so important, and what will Bea do next?

Goodreads lists what looks like a sequel, called The Sleeper's Moon, and some reference has been made to that book "coming out next October" (2011), but I can't find it anywhere.

Update: Turns out the sequel was finished and ARCs were printed, but then the publisher decided not to finish it. Thanks a lot.

[Wyntrnoire · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't help thinking that this author loves home-brewed, around the campfire, tuck the kids in bed, spontaneous invention storytelling but does not understand any of the essentials of novel writing.


“He must shape simultaneously (in an expanding creative moment) his characters, plot, and setting, each inextricably connected to the others; he must make his whole world in a single, coherent gesture, as a potter makes a pot...”
― John Gardner, The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers

[Rachel Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written children's book. It takes place in either an alternate version of now, or in a potential future, like 1982 or Brave New World. Only without the creepy adult themes. The main character is a 12 year old girl, and her brother becomes lost when they cross over into a magical bolt hole. She then tries to find him, in the process discovering things about herself she didn't know. It also sets up for a sequel at the end, which I would be excited to read.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure I'll stick with what is obviously the start of a series (or at least a planned sequel). The book introduces as major factors things that are not explained or fleshed out in this book (obviously planned for elucidation in the next volume) which make following or even caring about the story difficult.

[Virginia Brace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a series about Bell Hoot, an interesting place Bea and her family go when they win the "vacation of a lifetime". Only groups of seven and no pets are allowed. In the process of getting there via underwater transport, Theo goes missing and so many intersting things occur! It is quite an engaging story. Good to read aloud!

[Sarah Tilatitsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. There's no particular theme, except that family is what you believe in. John Berkely writes a good book. Although I feel sad about how Bea found her brother a little late, and had not figured out what one of the Quorum said to her. It's sad, but happy in the end. A nice happy ending.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and so did my son. I wished that there had been more explanation of some things - like who are the Gummint and what are they looking for? What happened to Clockwork Gabby? Maybe there will be a sequel. Overall, a really good story. We couldn't wait to find out how it ended. I'll definitely read more from this author.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am quite lucky that "Berkeley" comes between "Aguiar" and "Collins" on the library shelf, as I am handing this book to readers of The Lost Island of Tamarind and the Gregor books."

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...

[Patricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is not that I didn't like this book, because I really WANTED to like it, but I must not be in the mood for this book so I'm taking it back to the library and I'm only mid-way through. Maybe another day I'll try it again.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but extremely uneven. Some parts were terrific, others lagged and a lot of it was confusing. Kids who are determined to read it will find themselves rewarded, but others will just toss it down after a chapter or two.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun children's lit/fantasy in the l'engle vein but less pompous. The book left a lot of unanswered questions, and I almost hope there aren't any sequels just because there's so much strangeness wrapped up in this book, it'd be a shame to explain it all...

[Jenn Estepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable kid fantasy. short, for the genre which is novel and appreciated. reminds me a bit of joan aiken, although not quite as good.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit confusing and surreal... it felt like reading someone's dream. Things were not explained well and seemed vague and unfinished.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Bea and her family are transported aboard an underwater bus to a strange land, her brother Theo is lost during the voyage, and somehow it falls to Bea to find out what has happened to him.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great! Especially how it took them so long to solve the puzzle, but it was really simple in the end.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. I just picked it up at the library. Good book for younger readers, kind of fantastical/whimsical. Just felt refreshing to read something lighthearted and fun.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy for grades 4-7, imaginative readers who are willing to suspend disbelief.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical, quirky, difficult to anticipate; a real gem and a fast read for juvenile and younger adult audiences.

[Amy M · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5