Gr. 7-10. Schmidt's historical novel, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy 0 (2004), was both a Printz and a Newbery Honor Book. Here the author tells a contemporary story rooted in the New Hampshire countryside, blending political farce with a poignant account of one boy's search for home. When Grandpa dies, Cooper, 14, is alone on the dairy farm where his grandparents had raised him. He wants to stay, and helped by his kind neighbors, he manages to get to school and do the daily chores. But who is setting fires in his barn? Why are big, black sedans cruising in the small town? Why does the local senator want the boy on his campaign trail? Who were Cooper's parents, and why did they abandon him? The family secrets are decidedly contrived, but the political machinations are fun. Best of all, though, are the realistic portrayal of a young teen alone, the unsentimental details of his work, the lyrical sense of the place he loves, and, above all, the meaning of family. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2005 Booklist

Political intrigue meets small-town New Hampshire in this story of identity, perseverance and love. Cooper Jewett works hard on the dairy farm where he lives with his grandfather. But it's the only life he knows and a life he loves. When his beloved grandfather dies, leaving him alone, Cooper intends to keep the farm running, remembering his grandfather's phrase of fondness for him, "You're my first boy, Cooper, my first boy." But keeping up with school, milking, chores and cross country practice is running Cooper ragged. And when a local senator comes campaigning through town, along with the U.S. President, a mystery begins to unfold, and it turns out that "first boy" may have more than one meaning. Burns has a youthful-sounding voice and an enthusiastic approach, but he takes a while to get the pacing of his performance right, ultimately overcoming a slow, halting read and easing into a rhythm with dialogue. Schmidt's tale has its share of contrivances and quirky characters, but the compelling premise and Cooper's genuine dedication to farming-and to the people who love him-will help listeners stick around. Ages 12-up.(Nov. 2005) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(Middle School) Political intrigue finds its way to rural New Hampshire in this quiet thriller. Cooper Jewett is a dairyman through and through, so secure in his place in the world that never knowing his parents only niggles at him slightly. When his grandfather dies suddenly, leaving him truly orphaned, life changes for the high school freshman. Despite help from neighbors and sheer will, the strain of balancing school and farm quickly threatens to overwhelm him. When a smooth-talking presidential candidate offers him a way out -- which he refuses -- it sets off a chain of events that escalates into violence and terror. Schmidt is at his best when evoking the beauty of the New Hampshire farm, the relationships within the community, and the role of both of them in forging Cooper's determination to hang on in the face of both blandishments and threats. The rhythms of the farm govern both Cooper's life and the progress of the narrative, grounding it in earthy reality. Cooper is an entirely appealing protagonist; as it becomes clear that his parents' identity is central to both the presidential election and the terrible things happening to him, readers will be rooting for him all the way. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Gr 6 Up-This fast-paced and suspenseful story by Newbery and Printz Award winner Gary Schmidt (Holt, 2005), set on a New Hampshire dairy farm, creates both a bucolic rural existence and scenes of political greed and ambition. Fourteen-year-old Cooper Jewett has been raised by grandparents, but there has always been some mystery surrounding his family circumstances. Chores that he loves keep Cooper busy and content after his grandmother and grandfather pass away within a short time of each other. Jesse Berns narrates Cooper's first person account of how life threatens to change for him once a big-shot presidential candidate takes an interest in him. From the outset, Berns' reading reflects Cooper's unease, and that is well borne out as more politicians, political operatives, news people, and local law enforcement all seem desperate to get Cooper away from his beloved farm. Berns' narration makes Cooper seem a bit too sophisticated for such an unworldly teenager, but he does bring a lively though subtle characterization to the feuding but good-natured elderly neighbors who try to help Cooper. Theft, fires, kidnappings, car chases-all the hallmarks of intrigue-keep the action going at a fast pace as the mystery is solved and Cooper finds a way to keep life on an even keel. In its improbable adventures of a teenage boy, the novel is reminiscent of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Ryder stories and will find a delighted audience of young listeners who like adventure as well as happy endings brought about by hard work and good intentions.-Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.