The Madman of Piney Woods

Benji, black boy and descendant of run-away slaves, and Red, orphaned Irish boy, appear to be unlikely friends in 1940s Buxton, Ontario but their paths cross and collide on the uncovering of the "madman" of Piney Woods. This strange figure lurks in the nearby woods and is the subject of many myths and horror stories. (The madman has his own true tales of the atrocities he witnessed during The Civil War.)

Benji wants to be a newspaper man and gets his first real chance when invited to intern as a printer for the Chatham Press. Red wants to be a scientist and his curiosity about the natural world is met by Benji's own comfort in it. Red's story includes a cantankerous grandmother who begins to relate the horrors of the great potato famine show more and the "coffin ship" ride to Canada's shores.

The book flows nicely and the climax, involving a show-down of sorts with "the madman" is well paced. Overall, however, the book felt more talky than CP Curtis' earlier efforts.

MIddle schoolers will be entertained by this 'history light' but the story is, to this reader at least, ultimately forgettable. show less

middlegrade historic fiction--Ontario, Canada, circa 1901 (fist fights, civil war violence, father beating son). Companion book to Elijah of Buxton, but stands alone (and you can read the other in whatever order without having spoiled anything). Includes gory first-hand account of scalping during civil war, and it did lag a bit in the middle, but after that turns into story of friendship and growing responsibilities for the 13-year-old boys. CPC produces quality children's books (I've not read Elijah but did enjoy Bud, Not Buddy) and that is reason enough to pick up this book.
The ending was fine, but WHAT HAPPENED TO CURLY? Seems odd to celebrate Spencer's speech competitor's family moving away, whilst totally forgetting about Red's show more troubled friend whose whole family is threatened by imminent tragedy. Did I totally miss the part where the drunk dad gets hauled away for what passed for therapy in those days? show less

Narrated by Kirby Heybourne and J.D. Jackson. Benji descends from a family of former American slaves. Red's Grandmother O'Toole immigrated from Ireland during the potato famine. The boys live in 1901 Canada. Thier unlikely friendship begins when they meet at a forensics competition where both fully expect their respective best friends to win. Their new bond is cemented when the Madman of Piney Woods is shot and they must get help. Heybourne and Jackson's performances play off each other well, giving listeners a vivid picture of the characters and the time. Heybourne's unspooling of Grandmother O'Toole's memories of arriving in Canada is particularly hypnotic.

Two boys from different cultures learn that their lives can share the same feelings of joy, hardship, love, and loss. Benji and Red appear different on the surface. Benji is from a free Black family that still can recall the outrages of slavery. Red is from an Irish family that knew the suffering of the Great Potato Famine in Ireland. Both families moved to Canada to start new lives. Benji loves the forest and spends as much time as he can surrounded by nature. Red is out of place in the woods, more of a townie. Benji loves the power of words and wants to be a newspaper man. Red is a believer in facts and wants to be a scientist. Little do they know that their shared meeting with the Wild Man of Piney Woods will teach them, and perhaps show more us, the meaning of friendship and love. This is a deeply moving story. It's powerful words reach into your heart and soul. Love, hate, prejudice, and sorrow, each in their own way, sweep the reader through the pages of this excellent book. I think some of the material, most notably the descriptions of war and it's savagery, may be too harsh for some readers in the suggested age group, 8-12. The book overall can be an excellent learning tool for these and older readers. Book provided for review by Scholastic Inc. show less

This is a beautiful, well-written story. The only thing holding it back from a 5 star rating is the plot. The two main characters, who take turns narrating the story, are engaging and likable. And while their two stories do eventually merge, I question the decision to structure the story in this fashion. Does it benefit from the split? I'm not sure.

Many times I read books on this grade level and really enjoy them if they are creative or witty but this was not the case here, I am sure a lot of kids will like this book but the situations and problems are most definitely juvenile. So, the is not a crossover book that in any way kept my adult interest.

This was a slow starter for me. When I finally got into the book, the end was compelling. Red and Benji strike up an unlikely friendship. Red loves science, has a grandmother who is a mean, bitter person. Benji loves the woods and wants to be a newspaper man.
The boys live in two different towns and each town has lore about a madman who lives in the woods. Both boys have encounters with the man.