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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
Apr 2016, 336 pages
Paperback:
Apr 2017, 336 pages
The incandescent story of a 104-year-old woman and the sweet, strange young boy assigned to help her around the house — a friendship that touches each member of the boy's unmoored family.
The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don't they teach you anything at school?
For years, guitarist Quinn Porter has been on the road, chasing gig after gig, largely absent to his twice-ex-wife Belle and their odd, Guinness records–obsessed son. When the boy dies suddenly, Quinn seeks forgiveness for his paternal shortcomings by completing the requirements for his son's unfinished Boy Scout badge.
For seven Saturdays, Quinn does yard work for Ona Vitkus, the wily 104-year-old Lithuanian immigrant the boy had visited weekly. Quinn soon discovers that the boy had talked Ona into gunning for the world record for Oldest Licensed Driver — and that's the least of her secrets. Despite himself, Quinn picks up where the boy left off, forging a friendship with Ona that allows him to know the son he never understood, a boy who was always listening, always learning.
The One-in-a-Million Boy is a richly layered novel of hearts broken seemingly beyond repair and then bound by a stunning act of human devotion.
PART ONE
BROLIS (BROTHER)
This is Miss Ona Vitkus. This is her life story on tape. This is Part One.
Is it on?
...
I can't answer all these. We'll be here till doomsday.
...
I'll answer the first one, but that's it.
...
I was born in Lithuania. In the year nineteen hundred. I don't recall the place. I might have, oh, the vaguest recollection of some farm animals. A horse, or some other large beast. White, with spots.
...
Maybe a cow.
...
I have no idea what type of cows live in Lithuania. But I seem to recollect—you know those spotted dairy-type cows you see everywhere?
...
Holsteins. Thank you. Oh, and cherry trees. Lovely cherry trees that looked like soapsuds in the spring. Big, frothy, flowering things.
...
Then there was a long trip, and a ship's crossing. I remember that in pieces. You've got a million questions on that sheet—
...
Fifty...
Here are some of the comments posted about The One-in-a-Million Boy.
You can see the full discussion here.
"He's just who he is," Belle says, bristling against labels. Is Belle right? Does it matter?
No one likes labels, but if he has certain tendencies that keep him from learning or from feeling comfortable in society, then his mother should seek help from teachers and/or professionals. That doesn't mean he should change, or can change, but ... - juliep
All about Louise...
Yes, the reconciliation was realistic; it was all about forgiveness. - MarieA
Despite Quinn's flaws, do you like him? If not, did you understand why he behaves the way he does?
I think Quinn is sort of the "ordinary person" in this book. Like Quinn, a lot of us go through life just going through life - we don't really appreciate people who aren't like us just like Quinn couldn't appreciate the boy, Belle, or (at first) Ona.... - BetsyBookWorm
Did meeting Ona change your presumptions about extreme old age? Do you have any extremely old people in your life?
No because my grandparents lived until their late 90's and I also worked for a assisted living facility for a period of time. I always got a kick out of their stories and mannerisms. - LindaB.
Did you find it strange that no one told Ona initially that the boy had died?
I did not find it strange. While I wanted Ona to know why he didn't show up, I felt it would have been difficult for Quinn to discuss this with a stranger. It was still too soon to talk about it, too raw, and he wasn't one to share his feelings or ... - Cynthia
Christina Baker Kline, author of the international bestseller Orphan Train
In The One-in-a-Million Boy, Monica Wood tells a magical, beautifully written story about the healing power of friendship, music, and unexpected, generation-spanning connections. As emotionally resonant as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this novel hums with energy, warmth, wisdom, humor, and soul.
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