Author: Matt Peterson
Enjoyment Rating: **
Whitney Finalist
This book would be rated: G
If we were playing the game "One of these things is not like the others" with the Whitney Middle Grade novels, then it would be pretty easy to pick out Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero as the odd man out. The other books are all published by mainstream presses, and none has LDS characters.
I wish I could say that Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero was the sleeper hit of the category. I wish I could say that despite the cheesy cover art, the book moved me and stayed with me. I can't. Maybe it's because I'm a mom to two scouts, and one of my biggest fears is sending them away to scout camp, where anything can happen. In Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero, Andrew and the boys from his ward head out on a scout hike. Andrew doesn't feel like he fits in with the other boys, and doesn't feel particularly strong or brave. But when tragedy strikes (no! Please-- no tragedies at scout camp!), Andrew finds himself leading this very unlikely band of brothers to safety.
It's evident that Peterson draws on experience, scary stories from the Deseret News about scout camps, urban legend, and parental nightmares as he created his tale. I think it's one that my boys may enjoy, but it played a little too fast and loose with my fears to make it a book I could enjoy.
1 comment:
The book is for little boys. Not Moms. Little boys love stuff that scares the bajeebeez out of parents. Of course you didn't enjoy it.
Post a Comment