Boy Who Climbed Into The Moon Paperback – August 6, 2015

I loved this book. I loved the feel of the pages, the illustrations, the story. Although it's quite short, it packs in a great deal and it's strange in a Roald Dahl-y way.Thoroughly recommended!

Award-winning children's author David Almond and illustrator Polly Dunbar seem to have hit upon a partnership that works. The two first collaborated on 2008's MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN, a thoughtful story that recast some of Almond's most persistent themes for younger readers, lovingly enlivened by Dunbar's mixed-media illustrations. Now, with THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON, Almond and Dunbar join forces once again, proving that when two talented artists find a winning partnership, the whole can most definitely exceed the sum of its remarkable parts.Paul is a lonely boy in the north of England. He and his parents live in the basement of a 29-story apartment building, about as far from the sky as you can possibly get. So when Paul skips school one day, he decides to climb to the very top of his apartment building, to get a little closer to the sky. Little does he know, though, that this seemingly simple notion will result in the adventure of his life.As he ascends his apartment building, Paul comes to know his eccentric and unusual neighbors, especially Molly (or is her name Mabel?), a vivacious woman who whisks Paul and his parents off on a journey, inspired by Paul's desire to touch the sky and see if his notion that the moon is merely a hole in the sky might actually be true after all.Along the way, they meet Molly's brother Benjamin, who wears a bag on his head and has had trouble speaking since he returned from war ("The last one...You know, that noisy one with all the bullets and bombs and explosions. The War of the Thingummyjig or the Whatdyacallitor the Great Big Ginormous War Number 9. Maybe you missed it."). But even Benjamin is drawn into the excitement of Paul's quest.Although parts of THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON, particularly Benjamin's story, are almost achingly sad, Dunbar's brilliantly colored illustrations (created in pencil, watercolor and collage) perfectly convey the joy that walks hand-in-hand with the sadness. Glorious artwork brings Paul's journey --- and what he finds on the other side of the moon --- right into the pages of the book, several of which are given over entirely to marvelous, candy-colored, joyful two-page spreads.David Almond's novels for older readers are known for their fanciful poignancy, for their mixture of beauty and sadness in equal measure. THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON is likewise a bittersweet novel. Characters' experience of loss, longing and persistent sadness are countered by a truly extraordinary journey and, more importantly, by the gradual formation of a community that helps make Paul's journey possible and provides a safe, comforting place to belong upon his return.

I have actually never read David Almond before and the title of this book grabbed me and gave me my chance to finally read him.A whimsical story full of the unbelievable where a lonely boy who lives in a basement apartment, is rather shy, and does not like school but then school does not like him either takes a day off learns about living life to the fullest through a set of quirky characters and fantastical events.One must set reality aside for this story. The people and events that Paul meets up with are beyond belief. The book is a joy to read; told with such whimsy it is a very endearing story. Paul is encouraged to say what he's always wanted to say and out he spurts that the moon is really just a whole in the sky. He manages to climb into the moon where he finds all sorts of people and things that have flown into it over the ages: hot air balloons, planes, helicopters and their pilots, people with wings who tried to fly and even a girl who was a human cannonball. With the encouragement of the denizens of the apartment building he makes friends, realizes everyone agrees that sausages are better than war, watches others plan a Great Expedition, and sees how the others live their lives, however obscure, to the best they can.If you can't leave reality outside the door this won't be the book for you but if you can you will be in for a delightful story which is profusely illustrated with drawings as whimsical as the story. The characters are a motley crew from a man who switches to speaking in only vowels when he's in a conversational mood, to a dog who believes that when he obtains the age of seven he will grow wings and the ability to speak, to a little girl who lives inside the moon because she ended up there one night whilst performing her job as Fortuna the Human Cannonball. I found as I read and looked at the pictures that I kept thinking the style of the story was so much like William Pene duBois, a classic children's author/illustrator. I can also see this making a very good read aloud. The story is quirky, unconventional and humorous.

Having enjoyed reading David Almond's newest book, The Boy Who Swam With Piranahs, with my son recently, he wanted to read more books by the same author, so we decided to read this one.Since many kids are fascinated by the moon (as my son is), this book takes the moon and makes it accessible in a new, fun, easy-to-get-to-way. My son enjoyed the story and the illustrations and we had fun commenting on all the bizarre characters that Paul, the main character, meets in his journey to the moon. A delightful, shorter book that I would agree would be appreciated by the second to fourth grade audience recommended -- and their parents who enjoy escaping from reality when they read.The only disappointing element of the book was the fact that the ending seemed a little abrupt. I could see a sequel to this book being well received by those of us who enjoyed this title in order to explore more of what Paul learned and where this experience will take him in life.And, yes, we will read another David Almond book.

The characters are always talking about sausages, as if everything good in life revolved around eating sausages. Sausage production, for example, is seen as the solution to war. But sausages are not healthy for kids or adults and to make them you have to kill animals.

Thank you David Almond - the pleasure this has given to my 9 year old son and I! He even reads it on his own.....! He finished this book last night and padded down to tell us that he now needs the next one. We loved the part when he has to fill out the survey which was very funny because this weekend our son ACTUALLY had to fill out a survey for OFSTED and knew exactly what to do and we had a good laugh about it, remembering the passage in the book. The book even looks beautiful - my boy who would normally much prefer to be playing than reading, just kept turning it over in his hands and taking the sleeve off to look and feel the amazing illustrations. Very poignant as a mother who has tried so hard to nurture the love of books into a reluctant child...thank you

David Almond is a wonderful writer for children whose stories provide excitement, joy (and at times a little sadness) , stimulate the imaginations and provoke discussion - this book is no exception.My 5 year old daughter loved having this read to her while I enjoyed it just as much and as any parent knows a story that makes bedtime something to be looked forward to is a rare treasure.

My 7 year old son loved reading this book to himself, and complained each bed time when I told him it was time to stop reading - best recommendation I can give! A fairly slim book interspersed with pen and ink illustrations.

My son was glued to this book. Made reading time fun. Very imaginative book.

I love this author - so does my 3-year old Grand-daughter. Even my 19 month old stayed still when we read this book to them! I can't wait to read them some more of his books, although I think they need to be somewhat older for Skellig - my favourite!