Feather Boy

by Nicky Singer

Book Overview

"Top flat, Chance House. You can go there. . . . You are the sort of boy who can fly." That's what Edith Sorrell, mysterious resident of Mayfield Rest Home, says when Robert asks her to share a wisdom... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0007120265
• ISBN13: 9780007120260
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Age Range: 10 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 12

Customer Reviews

A Rare and Truly Exceptional Book

Reason for Reading: I was immediately drawn to the story involving a derelict house and a mystery surrounding it. Then I noted the book had been published under the Essential Modern Classics list. This is a list of books chosen by the publisher's UK house and is a collection of outstanding books for children. From looking at the titles I'd say the age range varies anywhere from 8 to 15. Four new titles are to be published in 2010 under the Essential Modern Classics list and I think the authors chosen present a unique collection for North American readers to discover. I intend to be keeping up-to-date with ESM as well as digging into their backlist. This is one of those rare and truly exceptional stories. A book that captures the heart and will live on in memory for ages. The story defies an age group, while not suitable for youngest children, it can be read and enjoyed by juveniles and adults with equal pleasure. There are both a young 13-year-old and a senior citizen character for readers to possibly choose one over the other to identify with, though the book is told from the 13-year old's point of view. As part of the Essential Modern Classics series the book starts with an informative paragraph bio. of the author followed by a short essay entitled "Why You'll Love This Book" written by a famous author, in this case David Almond. This publisher's series also sometimes end with extra material at the back of the book, but this one does not. Robert is the kid who gets picked last for sport teams, is teased relentlessly by the class smart alek and therefore everyone else, and has been nick-named Norbert by the other kids ever since he can remember. Robert joins the Elders' Project which involves working at the local senior's home and partnering with an Elder to create a visual that will sum up the group's experience of what they have learned about each other. Robert is more than surprised when a strange old lady suddenly calls out she doesn't want her partner, she wants him ... and is pointing directly at Robert. Thus begins a life and death relationship that will change who Robert is forever. Robert is directed to a creepy old derelict house where rumour has it a boy about his age once jumped to his death from the top floor apartment thinking he could fly. Robert must race against time to figure out the mystery of the house and learn himself how to truly fly. Heart-warming, funny, with characters who make you like or hate them, this is a beautifully written book. It is a coming of age story for Robert as he has a truly remarkable experience. It is a coming to terms with life story for the old lady, Mrs. Sorrel, as she finds a way to settle the anguish and self-punishment she has put herself through for the past forty years. Out of all this come life for one and death for the other, both good and wonderful things. This is an exceptional story which I am delighted to have read.

Try this at home-with luck you can fly.

Awesome book, reminiscent of David Almond's Skellig. Robert becomes a hero when he faces the room at the top of Chance House. Not only does he rescue Edith Sorrel from death, if only briefly, but he saves himself from the frightened boy who is bullied by others. There is a magical quality to the writing that transports the reader to the places so hauntingly described in the book.

The Feather Coat

I thought this was a great book to read. It's the kind of book that it doesn't matter what age you are or what kind of books you like, anyone can really enjoy it. It is about a boy named Robert Nobel who needs to make a coat of feathers, for Mrs. Sorrel. Robert is doing this for a project for an elderly person, which he's doing in his school. Robert believes that if he makes the coat for Mrs. Sorrel it will save her life from cancer. This book is adventurous and very funny, with a little of romance on the side.

Enchanting.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a great story of a shy little boy named Robert. I'm shy too sometimes so I can relate to him. And who hasn't been bullied at school? I'm glad he finally stood up for himself. It was a sad ending but it felt right. People live, people die. That's just the way things are.

AN UNDERSTANDING AND SUSPENSEFUL READING

Not much is more cruel than the way young people may treat the one they consider to be the "class nerd." Such is the case with Robert Nobel, often called "Norbert" by his primary bully, Jonathan Niker. Like every other youngster Roberts wants to have friends, to be recognized as a person of value. It seems this will not happen until he takes part in what is called the Elders Project, an endeavor in which members of his class visit the elderly residents of a rest home. Jonathan considers these older folks "vegetables," but Robert sees something more and this is a vision that changes his life. Edith, thought to be quite a bit off, becomes Robert's friend and it is through her story that he eventually finds himself. Director/actor Philip Franks invests understanding and suspense into this unforgettably moving tale. - Gail Cooke