
The Best Man
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Narrated by:
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Michael Crouch
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By:
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Richard Peck
About this listen
Newbery Medalist Richard Peck tells a story of small-town life, gay marriage, and everyday heroes in this novel for fans of Gary Schmidt and Jack Gantos.
Archer Magill has spent a lively five years of grade school with one eye out in search of grown-up role models. Three of the best are his grandpa, the great architect; his dad, the great vintage car customizer; and his uncle Paul, who is just plain great. These are the three he wants to be. Along the way he finds a fourth - Mr. McLeod, a teacher. In fact the first male teacher in the history of the school.
But now here comes middle school and puberty. Change. Archer wonders how much change has to happen before his voice does. He doesn't see too far ahead, so every day or so a startling revelation breaks over him. Then a really big one when he's the best man at the wedding of two of his role models. But that gets ahead of the story.
In minutes that ripple with laughter, there's a teardrop here and there. And more than a few insights about the bewildering world of adults, made by a boy on his way to being the best man he can be.
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love it.
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Rich Homefront History
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love it.
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Critic reviews
“Peck is at heart a gentle realist, a keen observer of family dynamics who uses the soft power of understated emotion to tack social issues. His latest middle grade novel, The Best Man is ... a reminder that no matter your gender or sexuality, love is love is love.” (The New York Times Book Review)
"A nostalgic slice of Rockwell Americana with a contemporary filling. Delicious - take a bite." (Kirkus, starred review)
"An indelible portrait of what it looks like to grow up in an age of viral videos and media frenzies, undergirded by the same powerful sense of family that characterizes so much of Peck's work." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
Relationship OVER Orientation
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Refreshing story!
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What did you love best about The Best Man?
It was good ole homespun fabulousness and a great story. Very funny and a truly moving ending thathad me wiping away a tear.Who was your favorite character and why?
Archer Magill. With a name like that, he was born to be a star! And he is.What about Michael Crouch’s performance did you like?
Mr. Crouch truly embodies the characters he voices--in this case, a (younger) teenage boy--with such aplomb and conviction that you cannot help but be charmed by him and his performance. I've listened to a lot of his books and this is one of his finest. I laughed and cried, not just because of the source material, but because of his performance.If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Idols Come In All Forms, Many Unexpected.Any additional comments?
Can we just admit to ourselves that Michael Crouch should be narrating all of our lives?Loved it. Great Story and Narration
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A great listen for the whole family!
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Great story
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It just provides so much to talk about. We loved it!
Great Book to share
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Sweet story
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Great story
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No way
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The Best Story
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