Preacher's Boy

Preacher's Boy

First edition
Author	Katherine Paterson
Language	English
Genre	Children's historical novel
Publisher	Clarion Books
Publication date	August 23, 1999
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Pages	176 pp (hardcover edition)
ISBN	978-0-395-83897-6 (hardback edition)
OCLC	40311548
LC Class	PZ7.P273 Pr 1999

Preacher’s Boy is a 1999 children's historical novel written by American novelist Katherine Paterson.

Plot

Set in Vermont in 1899, the story focuses on Robbie Hewitt, the rambunctious 10-year-old child of a small town preacher and brother of simple-minded Elliot. Elliot has autism and many times Robbie wishes he was dead. Robbie is always being silly and tries at the beginning of the book to kill one of the Weston Brothers. The Weston brothers are the sons of the richest men in town. As the boy’s mischievous behavior becomes more pronounced, he becomes engaged in activity that has lethal consequences for a member of his community. Complicating matters, is the boy’s desire to challenge his father by breaking away from organized religion. Certain that his family's beliefs are too restrictive, Robbie sets out to live life to the fullest, deciding to become "a heathen, a Unitarian, or a Democrat, whichever was most fun" (p. 19).

Reception

Kirkus Reviews found "Despite some violence, the tone is generally light..." and "Talky, but nourishing for mind and spirit both." while Publishers Weekly saw that "The story contains a moral, but the author remains nearly invisible as she guides her characters through crises, then leaves them to fend for themselves at the dawn of a new era."