Winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award and the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award
Owen Skye is skinny and quiet and has big ears. He does everything (just about) his older brother, Andy, says, while trying to stay one step ahead of little brother Leonard, who has now started school and is becoming smart at an alarming pace. The Skye brothers live in a small rural village with their parents and weird Uncle Lorne, an eccentric and painfully shy bachelor who sleeps on a cot in the basement, takes out his teeth at night and embodies Owen's worst fears about becoming a grownup.
On his way home from hockey practice one evening, Owen catches a glimpse of a girl named Sylvia at her piano lesson, and he falls hopelessly in love. Thank goodness for life at home, where there are brothers to talk to and plot adventures with. Yet the Skye boys somehow have a knack for turning every innocent plan into a full-scale ordeal.
Winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award and the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award
Owen Skye is skinny and quiet and has big ears. He does everything (just about) his older brother, Andy, says, while trying to stay one step ahead of little brother Leonard, who has now started school and is becoming smart at an alarming pace. The Skye brothers live in a small rural village with their parents and weird Uncle Lorne, an eccentric and painfully shy bachelor who sleeps on a cot in the basement, takes out his teeth at night and embodies Owen's worst fears about becoming a grownup.
On his way home from hockey practice one evening, Owen catches a glimpse of a girl named Sylvia at her piano lesson, and he falls hopelessly in love. Thank goodness for life at home, where there are brothers to talk to and plot adventures with. Yet the Skye boys somehow have a knack for turning every innocent plan into a full-scale ordeal.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — May 1, 2008 |
| Specifications | 176 pages | 5 in x 7.63 in |
| Keywords | Social Situations; Friendship; Humorous Stories; award winner; |
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Excerpt |
| Written By | Alan Cumyn has written many highly acclaimed novels for both children and adults. He teaches in the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is currently chair of the Writers' Union of Canada. Visit Alan Cumyn's website: http://alancumyn.com/ |
| Written By |
| Alan Cumyn has written many highly acclaimed novels for both children and adults. He teaches in the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is currently chair of the Writers' Union of Canada. Visit Alan Cumyn's website: http://alancumyn.com/ |
| Audience | ages 8 to 11 / grades 3 to 6 |
Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Awards: Text, 2002
Winner, Mr. Christie's Book Award, 2003
Short-listed, Ruth Schwartz Award, 2003
Winner, Hackmatack Award, 2004
Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2004
Long-listed, Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Florida), 2004
Long-listed, Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific NW Library Association), 2004
“[an] elegantly written and very, very funny book.” —Globe and Mail
“...[Cumyn's] pitch is perfect throughout...Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
“...a wonderful, goofball story...A great read and highly recommended.” —Montreal Gazette
“...peopled by quirky characters portrayed with broad humour and a strong touch of nostalgia...” —Quill & Quire
“...very funny...would be a splendid read-aloud or read-alone choice.” —School Library Journal
“Every moment of this story is interesting: it's full of delight for adults and hilarity for children. Highly recommended.” —Toronto Star
“This novel is peopled by quirky characters portrayed with broad humour and a strong touch of nostalgia.” —Book Review Digest
“With a zany style and deep insight into the secret lives of boys. This book is very funny and it would be a splendid read-aloud or read-alone choice.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW