Starred review from May 30, 2016
Markedly more contemporary than many of Peck’s previous novels, this drolly narrated coming-of-age story traces milestones in Archer Magill’s life from first to sixth grade while deftly addressing a variety of social issues. The first scene—depicting a “train wreck” of a wedding in which six-year-old Archer performs ring bearer duties in a pair of muddy, too-tight shorts that have split open in the back—sets the stage for other hilarious mishaps. Whenever Archer flounders, there are people (usually the influential men he “wanted to be”) ready to help: his father, as good at fixing problems as he is at restoring vintage cars; his stylish Uncle Paul; and his dignified grandfather Magill. In fifth grade, Archer finds he can depend on someone new: his student-teacher Mr. McLeod, who accidentally causes a lockdown when he shows up at school in his National Guard uniform. Archer gains some wisdom on his own (after befriending a visiting student from England, he concludes: “We thought he was weird. He thought we were weird. It was great. It was what multiculturalism ought to be”), but the most profound lessons about prejudice, conflict resolution, and gay rights are taught by his mentors, all-too-human heroes, whom readers will come to admire as much as Archer does. It’s an indelible portrait of what it looks like to grow up in an age of viral videos and media frenzies, undergirded by the same powerful sense of family that characterizes so much of Peck’s work. Ages 9–12.
Starred review from June 1, 2016
Male role models aren't a scarce commodity for Archer Magill, but when two of them fall in love, what does that mean for his comprehension of the weird world of adults? Then there's all that impending puberty stuff.Bookending his tale with two weddings (one a YouTube'd pants-splitting disaster and one a heartfelt finale with a fabulous new suit), Archer recounts his traverse from first grade to sixth, navigating family ties, school, bullies, death, marriage, and au courant political hot topics. He has a dedicated father, endearing grandfather, doting uncle, and awesome male student teacher, but that doesn't mean he's entirely sure-footed in following their confident strides. In fact, he's pretty clueless in general, something his fiery best friend, Lynette, reminds him of perpetually. It's this cluelessness that makes his journey so easy to empathize with. There's another layer to this lighthearted coming-of-age book that makes it special in the current sociopolitical climate. Said doting uncle is in love with aforementioned student teacher: it's Peck's intent to spark a discussion for young readers about same-sex marriages, a topic that standardized testing and textbooks haven't caught up with yet. Bravo. A middle-class white cast in the Midwest populates the pages, but the base of the story--navigating boyhood with positive reinforcement from friends, family, and faculty--is a broad one. A nostalgic slice of Rockwell Americana with a contemporary filling. Delicious--take a bite. (Fiction. 8-12)
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Starred review from July 1, 2016
Gr 4-6-The inimitable Peck frames his latest novel with weddings. Opening with a flashback to a hilariously disastrous wedding when Archer Magill was in first grade, the book closes with a significantly more staid one that occurs when he is in sixth grade. Most of the story, though, takes place between these two events, during Archer's fifth grade year. A military-based student teacher both disrupts Archer's class and enriches it, as does a new student who uses a wheelchair and comes from a British aristocratic background. High jinks abound, but so does serious content; in response to antigay bullying, Mr. McLeod gives the students a lecture in which he publicly outs himself, a particularly poignant moment. Outside school, Archer also shares daily adventures with his car-loving father, his grandfather (an elderly architect whose work is all over town), and his uncle Paul, whose romantic interest in Mr. McLeod might just well lead to another wedding. Here, the Newbery Award-winning author explores what it means to love and what it means to be a man. VERDICT A modern, funny, and realistic tale featuring strong, nuanced, and unforgettable characters. An essential addition for middle grade collections.-Jill Ratzan, Congregation Kol Emet, Yardley, PA
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from July 1, 2016
Grades 4-6 *Starred Review* Two weddings bracket this amusing and ultimately moving novel narrated by 12-year-old Archer. In the first ceremony, he's a 6-year-old ring bearer suffering from an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. In the second, he's the best man, resplendent in his first elegant suit. The episodic story covers all six years in between, though it focuses on the last two: fifth grade (featuring three different teachers and a lockdown with cops at school) and sixth, which brings a death and a wedding in the family. In two satisfying scenes, school bullies are brought low by adults. The novel's distinctive characters are so believable that their lives seem to go on beyond the book. Always two steps behind his friend Lynette in comprehending what's going on around him, Archer has a stout heart, an open mind, and good intentions. For years, he tends to parrot others' opinions, but when he finally puts his own ideas together and speaks from the heart, his words and his timing couldn't be better. This intergenerational story unfolds with a refreshing lack of sentimentality, and an emphasis on fathers and other male role models. Archer's dad, his grandfather, and his gay uncles are portrayed with particular affection and respect. A witty, engaging novel from a master storyteller. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Peck is one of the most celebrated living writers of kid lit, and he's even mounting a tour for this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)
January 30, 2017
In this hilarious coming-of-age story, listeners follow Archer Magill from first grade in elementary through to middle school as puberty quickly approaches. The book recounts milestones in Archer’s life thus far and introduces readers to the male role models in his life, particularly his father (who restores vintage cars for a living), stylish uncle, and thoughtful grandfather. Voice actor Crouch perfectly enacts the young and curious Archer and creates fun, unique voices for the other colorful characters. His emphasis and pacing capture the story’s progression and humor, much of which is rooted in Archer’s precociousness. His insights and observations are mature and rendered in sophisticated language, which Crouch’s youthful voice helps accentuate. Ages 9–12. A Dial hardcover.
January 1, 2017
Wanting grownups to emulate, Archer Magill applauds his uncle Paul; that Paul turns out to be gay is not a crisis. Uncle Paul's life and romance don't overwhelm Archer's dramas involving teachers, friends, enemies, and a dying grandfather, all of which roll along with brio and feeling. We're not done needing books like this; comic and matter-of-fact, Peck's latest steps out to lead the way.
(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
Starred review from July 1, 2016
Rise and toast The Best Man, Peck's story about Archer Magill, a boy growing from a raw dollop of kindergarten id into a functional middle-school kid, a budding citizen of the world. As a participant in the two weddings that launch and conclude the novel (the first when he is six and the latter as a sixth grader), Archer is a familiar American type: a kid's kid, of the sort readers may recognize from Beverly Cleary or Eleanor Estes. Decent, a little clueless -- neither a hero nor a bystander, Archer is aware of wanting grownups to emulate. Among the men Archer applauds is his uncle Paul. That Paul turns out to be gay is not a crisis. "You knew I was gay, right?' Uncle Paul sat up, pushed his ball cap back. Sure, ' I said. I guess. Not really. No.'" Show me six other words that capture a fifth grader so adroitly. The Best Man, refreshingly, is neither polemic nor camp-on-steroids. (That Uncle Paul's love interest is a hunk -- and Archer's student teacher -- who captivates the national Twitter-verse is perhaps the only slip toward stereotype -- or are all gay men gorgeous? Just asking.) Archer's continuing admiration of his uncle after the revelation is underplayed; this isn't a problem novel. Uncle Paul's life doesn't overwhelm the parade of Archer's school dramas involving teachers, friends, enemies, and a dying grandfather, which roll along with brio and feeling. Your reviewer here breaks convention to reveal that a child of his recently admitted to having been bullied, several years ago, for having two dads. So we're not done needing books like this. Comic, easy to read, swiftly paced, and matter-of-fact, Peck's latest steps out to lead the way. gregory maguire
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2016
Rise and toast The Best Man, Peck's story about Archer Magill, a boy growing from a raw dollop of kindergarten id into a functional middle-school kid, a budding citizen of the world. As a participant in the two weddings that launch and conclude the novel (the first when he is six and the latter as a sixth grader), Archer is a familiar American type: a kid's kid, of the sort readers may recognize from Beverly Cleary or Eleanor Estes. Decent, a little clueless -- neither a hero nor a bystander, Archer is aware of wanting grownups to emulate. Among the men Archer applauds is his uncle Paul. That Paul turns out to be gay is not a crisis. "You knew I was gay, right?' Uncle Paul sat up, pushed his ball cap back. Sure, ' I said. I guess. Not really. No.'" Show me six other words that capture a fifth grader so adroitly. The Best Man, refreshingly, is neither polemic nor camp-on-steroids. (That Uncle Paul's love interest is a hunk -- and Archer's student teacher -- who captivates the national Twitter-verse is perhaps the only slip toward stereotype -- or are all gay men gorgeous? Just asking.) Archer's continuing admiration of his uncle after the revelation is underplayed; this isn't a problem novel. Uncle Paul's life doesn't overwhelm the parade of Archer's school dramas involving teachers, friends, enemies, and a dying grandfather, which roll along with brio and feeling. Your reviewer here breaks convention to reveal that a child of his recently admitted to having been bullied, several years ago, for having two dads. So we're not done needing books like this. Comic, easy to read, swiftly paced, and matter-of-fact, Peck's latest steps out to lead the way. gregory maguire
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
December 1, 2016
Gr 4-6-Bookmarked between two weddings, this is a story of love, family, and friendship. Beginning with wedding number one, Archer Magill recounts his elementary school days leading up to middle school and wedding number two (the present). The boy's search for and appreciation of nuanced male role models is inspiring and timely, as is his teacher's treatment of antigay bullying. A light, refreshing read, wonderfully written by the always winning Peck.
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.