The Real Boy
By Sally Engelfried,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Shy boy fights monsters, makes friend in powerful fantasy.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Oscar's never felt like he belongs in the world of people. He feels much more comfortable staying with his cats in the magician's cellar and grinding herbs, occasionally venturing into the forest to collect plants. But then his magician master abandons him, and the healer's apprentice, Callie, befriends him. Meanwhile, the villagers and city dwellers are suddenly barraging Oscar with questions: Why did the magician leave? What kind of creature is killing people in the forest? Who is stealing magical items from the village? Most of all, why are the wealthy children of the city suddenly getting sick? Reluctantly at first, but with a growing sense of responsibility, Oscar joins forces with Callie to answer these questions and uncover the secrets of their world's magical history.
Is It Any Good?
THE REAL BOY weaves in elements of Pinocchio, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and golem folktales to create an engaging original story. It's a tale about the follies of greed and grown-ups who think they deserve to have everything come easily to them without considering the many people who have less than they do.
However, kids don't need to draw parallels to the Occupy movement to enjoy this story: Oscar's a smart, likable character, and if his meekness at first seems like a weakness, Callie's bravery and confidence more than make up for it. As in author Anne Ursu's Breadcrumbs, the pacing is perfect, mixing exciting, magic-laden action with Oscar's inner development from a lonely boy into a brave friend.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Real Boy reflects the digital divide. How are the lives of people without magic similar to the lives of people who don't have technology?
Would you rather have access to the magic in The Real Boy or the technology of today?
How is The Real Boy like a fairy tale?
Book Details
- Author: Anne Ursu
- Illustrator: Erin McGuire
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Walden Pond Press
- Publication date: September 24, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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