The Gawgon and the Boy

A riotously funny and deeply personal story of wonder, discovery and friendship, full of eccentric characters and fantastical adventures, by one of America's best-loved authors. When David falls ill his tough old Aunt Annie offers to tutor him, and he soon grows fond of The Gawgon, as he nicknames her because of her resemblance to the terrifyuing Gawgon Medusa of Greek myth. Together they embark on exciting imaginary adventures rescuing King Tut's treasure, scaling mountains and outwitting master criminals.

Meh. I imagine child-me would have liked it even less. Sorry, but I can't articulate why. Intelligent, funny, interesting... but not for me. You know what it reminds me of, sorta, with all those weird adults? [b:The House with a Clock in Its Walls|295801|The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Lewis Barnavelt, #1)|John Bellairs|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388467935s/295801.jpg|1098801]. Maybe a few illustrations would help this.

Eleven-year-old David nearly died of pneumonia. During recovery Dr. McKelvie prescribes fresh air and “mild exercise” but no school. However, David mother accepts Aunt Annie’s offer to tutor him and mild exercise turns out to include more than lounging around reading books about pirates, sneaking into theaters to see "the new films that actually talk", and writing up clever cartoons about the "Sea-Fox," the devilishly devious scourge of the Spanish Main. This horrible old Gorgon or “Gawgon” by some proves to impress David --whom she takes to simply calling "The Boy" after she learns about her nickname- and begins to co-star in his time hopping, globetrotting adventure stories.

This story was a bit confusing at first but got show more better and more interesting as the plot continued. This is defiantly a story for the older reader (10 and up). After struggling through I did end up liking the story.

This book would be very difficult to use in a classroom but it could be used to challenge an advanced reader. It could also be use for some creative writing stories using real people. show less

I read this one after purchasing a used copy for my classroom. I decided the references to alcohol were not what I wanted to put into my classroom's library. I gave the book back to the library for someone else to enjoy.

Wat een prachtig kinderboek. Puberboek? Jeugdboek?

De saaie randvoorwaarden zijn dat het gaat over een jonge, beginnende puber die opgroeid in Amerika vlak voor de depressie. Door ziekte moet hij langdurig thuisblijven van school. Een ver familielid (tante Annie) onderwijst hem zodat hij niet te veel achterstand oploopt.

Annie blijkt een bron van inspiratie voor een jongen in een chaotische, drukke maar liefdevolle familie. Het boek gaat over de fantastische verhalen die hij verzint naar aanleiding van de gebeurtenissen in zijn leven en de lessen van zijn tante. Over de groei van “the invisible boy” naar een zelfstandig denkend artiest-in-de-dop via avonturen met Napoleon in Egypte, piratenkapitein Sea-Fox en Sherlock Holmes.

Luchtige show more maar aangrijpend geschreven. Aanrader. show less