First Boy

"This fast-paced and suspenseful story by Newbery and Printz Award winner Gary Schmidt, set on a New Hampshire dairy farm, creates both a bucolic rural existence and scenes of political greed and ambition . . . the novel is reminiscent of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Ryder stories and will find a delighted audience of young listeners who like adventure as well as happy endings brought about by hard work and good intentions." --School Library Journal

"Political intrigue meets small-town New Hampshire in this story of identity, perseverance and love." --Publishers Weekly

"Political intrigue comes to rural New Hampshire in this quiet thriller. Readers will root for this appealing protagonist." --The Horn Book Magazine

"It is a timely novel of coming-of-age into a society increasingly divided along cultural lines." --Voices of Youth Advocates

"Cooper's grief, solitude, and loneliness are poignantly and realistically drawn, and secondary characters add humor to this fast-paced tale." --School Library Journal

". . . the political machinations are fun. Best of all, though, are the realistic portrayal of a young teen alone, the unsentimental details of his work, the lyrical sense of the place he loves, and, above all, the meaning of family." --Booklist

". . . an outrageous adventure story and a moving tale of self-discovery." --Grand Rapids Press

"This quick paced mystery thriller will keep readers turning the pages." --Palmetto Parent