The Best Man
By: Richard Peck
Disclaimer: Richard Peck is one of my favorite children’s authors. I was introduced to Richard Peck when I happened to pick up a copy of “A Long Way from Chicago”. I fell in love with his writing style and characterizations right away. That happy coincidence has led to some of his other works, including “A Year Down Yonder” and “The Teacher’s Funeral”.
So when I noticed a new book on the shelf by Peck, “The Best Man”, I was confident it would be a winner. I was not disappointed. The Best Man is the story of five years in the life of Archer Magill, from one wedding to another. Archer is what I would call a good kid. He doesn’t get into trouble. He just seems to be marching to his own drummer, slightly unaware of things going on around him. He misses cues to things happening around him, things his good friend Lynette picks up on right away.
This book made good on all my expectations in a Peck book. I felt like I knew the characters and became invested in their lives. And at the end I was sorry to see the the story be over.
Recommend for grades 6 and up
Review By: Connie Boomer