The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

 

I loved this story about 104 year old Ona Vitkus and the 11 year old boy scout. He is sent to help her with jobs to earn a merit badge and they soon form a wonderful friendship. The boy, whose name we never learn, is obsessed with world records and he would love to see Ona's name in the Guinness Book of Records. One day he doesn't arrive and the elderly lady is disappointed and left feeling let down, she wrongly believes he is the same as all the previous scouts she couldn't get on with. Then his father arrives to help instead, sent by his ex wife to continue their sons good deed.

 

This novel has sad and funny moments and ultimately is an uplifting story. An enjoyable, easy read that was very different to what I was expecting. 

 

Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Thanks to Headline for an ARC.

Publication date: 5th April 2016