New ebooks From Canadian Indies
Description
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.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 8 to 11
- Grade:
- 3 to 6
- Reading age:
- 8 to 11
Awards
- Winner, Hackmatack Award
- Long-listed, Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Florida)
- Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award
- Long-listed, Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific NW Library Association)
- Winner, Mr. Christie's Book Award
- Short-listed, Ruth Schwartz Award
- Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Awards: Text
Editorial Reviews
This novel is peopled by quirky characters portrayed with broad humour and a strong touch of nostalgia.
— Book Review Digest
[an] elegantly written and very, very funny book.
— Globe and Mail
...a wonderful, goofball story...A great read and highly recommended.
— Montreal Gazette
...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
...peopled by quirky characters portrayed with broad humour and a strong touch of nostalgia...
— Quill & Quire
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
...[Cumyn's] pitch is perfect throughout...Highly recommended.
— CM Magazine
