Belle Prater's Boy--Ruth White

Submitted By: Veronica Romo
School: SSC Middle School
Grade: 8
Title: Belle Prater's Boy
Author: Ruth White
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Belle Prater's Boy won a Newbery book in 1997. This exquisite story tells about a twelve-year-old boy, Woodrow, whose mother disappeared. He moves in with his grandparents in a small town in Virginia. They live next to Woodrow's cousin Gypsy. Gypsy's the same age as Woodrow, but unlike him she is the town-beauty. Woodrow goes through harassment for being cross-eyed and wearing hand-me-downs. At the end, Woodrow and Gypsy become best friends. Finally Woodrow tells Gypsy the shocking truth about his mother's disappearance. "I still wake up every morning wondering where she is waking up."

I enjoyed the mystery in this book and it took me until the end to figure it out. White's characters are my age; they are real kids I might meet at school. Woodrow's dad's drinking problems felt familiar to kids I know who are in similar situations.
Belle Prater's Boy is Ruth White's most widely read by people of all ages. Woodrow's town is based on White's hometown in Virginia. The influences of her life appear throughout her writing. Her other books: Sweet Creek Holler and Weeping Willow are enjoyable and just as interesting. She uses fascinating stories with a little mystery to capture her reader's attention and imagination.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about a strange kid who becomes accepted by his peers.