The One-In-A-Million Boy
Winner of the Nautilus Award and the New England Society Book Award, Monica Wood's The One-in-a-Million Boy is the incandescent story of a 104-year-old woman and the sweet, strange young boy assigned to help her around the house--a friendship that touches each member of the boy's unmoored family.
"The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don't they teach you anything at school?"
So says 104-year-old Ona to the 11-year-old boy who's been sent to help her out every Saturday morning. As he refills the bird feeders and tidies the garden shed, Ona tells him about her long life, from first love to second chances. Soon she's confessing secrets she has kept hidden for decades.
One Saturday, the boy doesn't show up. Ona starts to think he's not so special after all, but then his father arrives on her doorstep, determined to finish his son's good deed. The boy's mother is not so far behind. Ona is set to discover that the world can surprise us at any age, and that sometimes sharing a loss is the only way to find ourselves again.
"Readers won't be able to resist falling for Ona...The conclusion will leave them smiling through their tears."--Shelf Awareness
"Poignant...There is much to enjoy in this heartfelt tale of love, loss, and friendship."--Express
"A must-read book...Whimsical and bittersweet."--Good Housekeeping
"The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don't they teach you anything at school?"
So says 104-year-old Ona to the 11-year-old boy who's been sent to help her out every Saturday morning. As he refills the bird feeders and tidies the garden shed, Ona tells him about her long life, from first love to second chances. Soon she's confessing secrets she has kept hidden for decades.
One Saturday, the boy doesn't show up. Ona starts to think he's not so special after all, but then his father arrives on her doorstep, determined to finish his son's good deed. The boy's mother is not so far behind. Ona is set to discover that the world can surprise us at any age, and that sometimes sharing a loss is the only way to find ourselves again.
"Readers won't be able to resist falling for Ona...The conclusion will leave them smiling through their tears."--Shelf Awareness
"Poignant...There is much to enjoy in this heartfelt tale of love, loss, and friendship."--Express
"A must-read book...Whimsical and bittersweet."--Good Housekeeping
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Community Reviews
What a story!! I love how this was written AND what happened in the story. It was sad and yet wonderful...very sweet. I see why it came so highly recommended, and I agree!
This book! I'd give this a 10 star rating if I could. It is seriously one of the best books and best endings I've read this year. I was hooked from the first sentence and while I was eager to devour the story, I found myself reading it slower and slower toward the end because wanted it to last forever.
Monica Wood has masterfully crafted this story. She reveals just enough about the characters and events to fascinate and entice you along the way to a magical yet believable and fulfilling grand finale that weaves together all the subtle little details from beginning to end. The story is ultimately about love, friendship, and awakenings. It's about crossing paths and connections. These lovable and often humorous characters have now crossed my path and have left and indelible mark on it. If you experience it like I did, your heart will swell, you'll be humbled. You'll be lifted up, and inspired.
Read it, for crumbsake. You'll enjoy it and be all the richer because of it.
Monica Wood has masterfully crafted this story. She reveals just enough about the characters and events to fascinate and entice you along the way to a magical yet believable and fulfilling grand finale that weaves together all the subtle little details from beginning to end. The story is ultimately about love, friendship, and awakenings. It's about crossing paths and connections. These lovable and often humorous characters have now crossed my path and have left and indelible mark on it. If you experience it like I did, your heart will swell, you'll be humbled. You'll be lifted up, and inspired.
Read it, for crumbsake. You'll enjoy it and be all the richer because of it.
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