Gary Schmidt does not live in New Hampshire. He does, however, live on a farm--with his wife, Anne, six children, too many cats, and not enough dogs. He teaches writing at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he writes his novels on a 1953 Royal manual typewriter in a barn. His novel Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy was both a Newbery Honor Book and a Printz Honor Book. He is also the author of Mara's Stories and The Wonders of Donal O'Donnell.
"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
Political intrigue meets small-town New Hampshire in this story of identity, perseverance and love. Cooper Jewett works hard on the dairy farm where he lives with his grandfather. But it's the only life he knows and a life he loves. When his beloved grandfather dies, leaving him alone, Cooper intends to keep the farm running, remembering his grandfather's phrase of fondness for him, "You're my first boy, Cooper, my first boy." But keeping up with school, milking, chores and cross country practice is running Cooper ragged. And when a local senator comes campaigning through town, along with the U.S. President, a mystery begins to unfold, and it turns out that "first boy" may have more than one meaning. Burns has a youthful-sounding voice and an enthusiastic approach, but he takes a while to get the pacing of his performance right, ultimately overcoming a slow, halting read and easing into a rhythm with dialogue. Schmidt's tale has its share of contrivances and quirky characters, but the compelling premise and Cooper's genuine dedication to farming-and to the people who love him-will help listeners stick around. Ages 12-up.(Nov. 2005) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
"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
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