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The Silent Boy
(2003, Fiction - Family Life, Written by Lois Lowry)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A period slice-of-life book.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Silent Boy
Parents need to know that children may wonder what's wrong with Jacob, as it is never made clear. There are a number of disturbing events, such as the Shirtwaist Factory fire, and the way the pregnant girl acts and is treated, that they may want to discuss. Because the narrator doesn't fully understand the events as they are happening, your children may not either.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about Jacob and Katy. What do you think is wrong with Jacob? Do you know any children similar to him? Why is Katy drawn to him? How do you think Jacob would be treated by the world today?
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Our Members Say
See all 5 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in Ohio- Lives in South CarolinaI rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Hmmmmmm
This book, THE SILENT BOY, was a sad but pleasing novel. Although I read it over a period of two weeks,(research project going on), I enjoyed it. The sad part though was that it really didn't have a good ending. It left a lot of my questions unanswered, and my mind unsatisfyed. I think perhaps this novel is something you should read, but I'm not saying it's fantasic. I'd much rather read THE GIVER over this, and THE SILENT BOY is not on my own, personal, MUST read list.
- Lives in KentuckyI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
pleasing
it was great
- Lives inI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
It was all right!
I think this book was all right. I am 13 and like reading alot. I enjoy lots of great books but this book "the silent boy" was not on my great list. I rated this book 2 out of a possible 5. I recomend this book to 10 year olds.
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