The Madman of Piney Woods
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moving 1901 adventure explores race, class, mental illness.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Benji and Red couldn't be more different. Benji is African-American, loves the woods, and wants to grow up to be a newspaper reporter. Red is Irish with bright red hair and approaches everything like the scientist he wants to be. The one thing they have in common is the fearful soul that wanders the woods between their two towns. When a chance meeting brings the boys together, their adventurous peek into the life of the mysterious man in the woods is both beautiful and tragic.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will love THE MADMAN OF PINEY WOODS for its mystery, adventure, and ordinary moments that become extraordinary. The opportunity to see both sides of the story is offered throughout the book, though the back and forth between the characters can be a bit confusing at times. The personal perspectives on race, class, mental illness, and the complexities of life give the novel weight and create a real connection for readers.
Parents will appreciate the care author Christopher Paul Curtis took to offer varying perspectives on the tough subjects highlighted in the novel. He did a fantastic job in creating a story for children that isn't dumbed down or over dramatized. It can be jarring and frank at some points, simple and fun at others -- just like life. Parents and kids might want to read the book together to take advantage of the wonderful discussion opportunities it presents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the book shows both sides of the story. Can you think of an instance in history where only one side of the story was shown in the media? Why is it important to examine all sides of an issue?
How is the American Civil War commonly portrayed in literature and film? How does this compare with how it's portrayed in The Madman of Piney Woods?
Red and Benji are almost opposites in the way they look and their family backgrounds, yet they're great friends. How do their differences affect their friendship? Can you find ways they're the same?
Book Details
- Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Publication date: September 30, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 384
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 2, 2022
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