The Gawgon and the Boy - Lloyd Alexander

The Gawgon and the Boy
by Lloyd Alexander

★☆☆☆☆

Summary

David is an 11 year old boy living in the early 1920's who has been too sick to attend school.  He spends his time writing stories, drawing and playing indoors.  His parents decide that he will be part time home schooled by his great aunt whom he secretly nicknames "The Gawgon," a terrifying female creature in Greek Mythology.  Durning a lesson she discovers this nick name but rather than getting upset about it welcomes it and nicknames David "The Boy."  

During their studies David learns about Napoleon, Leonardo Da Vinci, Sherlock Holmes and many other characters.  Intermingled with the stories of David's "real life" are fantasy stories that he makes up about himself, The Gawgon and the multiple characters he has learned about.  

Review

The story line is difficult to follow with the same characters occurring in David's fantasy stories as in Alexander's.  There are many very clever conjunctions between these characters that most school aged children would not understand, they would just confuse most young readers.  That being said, a student who was very well rounded in their studies might enjoy the mix up of historical and fictional characters in the fantasy of David's life.  Personally, I would not recommend this book to my students.  

For Teachers 

My Favorite Quote: "What's gone is gone.  Sometimes we lose what we love best. ... We always keep loving and remembering, but the past isn't a good place to live in, only to visit from time to time."  page 107, chapter 7.

Lloyd Alexander B. Jan 30, 1924- D. May 17, 2007

There are several websites about Lloyd Alexander.  One I particularly liked was: http://www.nndb.com/people/057/000044922/  

Technical Stuff

Alexander, Lloyd. The Gawgon and the Boy. Dutton Children's Books.  New York.  2001

ISBN: 0-525-46677-0