The Whistling Boy | homeschoolbookreviewblog
HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book:The Whistling Boy
Author: Ruth M. Arthur
Illustrator: Margery Gill
Publisher: Victor Gollancz, 1969
ISBN-13: 978-0575003316 Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0575003316 Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0689206146 Paperback
ISBN-10: 0689206143 Paperback
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing and/or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing and/or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Recommended reading level: Ages 13-16
Rating: **** 4 stars
(5 stars=EXCELLENT; 4 stars=GOOD; 3 stars=FAIR; 2 stars=POOR; 1 star=VERY POOR; no stars=NOT RECOMMENDED)
Category: Mystery
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
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Arthur, Ruth M. The Whistling Boy (Publisher in 1969 by Atheneum, New York City, NY). Teenager Kirsty Newton lives with her father Gerry, stepmother Lois whom her father remarried only one year after the death of her mother, and younger twin brothers Marcus and Gregory. Kirsty tries to accept her new stepmother, and to be affectionate and helpful toward her, but finds herself increasingly overcome by feelings of intense rage and sorrow which lead to a frightening series of anxiety attacks. When Kirsty is given the opportunity to go away for the summer holidays to stay on a farm in Norfolk away from her stepmother and pick fruit, she jumps at the chance to escape her problems at home. Settling into her new routine at Old Manor Farm with the friendly and down-to-earth Dillons, Kirsty soon befriends Jake Meryon, the local doctor’s son, and becomes caught up in a mystery involving a strange whistling ghost.
Can the boy help Kirsty to work through her problems? Where is the strange whistling sound coming from? And what happens to Jake when the area is flooded? Ruth M. Arthur is the working name of U.K. writer Ruth Mabel Arthur Huggins, long active as a children’s author. This book has a very interesting plot with so much atmosphere to the setting and characters. Kirsty is a strong, smart, young girl who is dealing with some inner family related angst. There are references to kids who take drugs, someone getting drunk on gin, drinking sherry, and smoking a pipe, but no inappropriate romance or anything that would give most people pause. The story contains a great mystery and a touch of the supernatural which gives it a somewhat Gothic feeling. I found it enjoyable reading.
