Book Review: First Boy

First Boy by Gary Schmidt

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What starts as a gentle book about farm life in New Hampshire suddenly starts to read like a spy or action novel as rumors about 14-year-old Cooper Jewett's real parents hit the presidential campaign trail. Cooper thought that he lived with his grandparents on a dairy farm after his real parents died in a car accident, but events like barn burning and break-ins show him that there is definitely more to the story. With the help of two steadfast neighbors (one of whom discovers a penchant for speeding during the chase scenes), Cooper tries to elude this unwelcome attention. This is a unique story and is a great read as the US is already in the midst of the 2008 presidential race!