The Boy Who Couldn’t is a story of friendships formed between three boys who are distrustful of each other at first, but as time passes, they grow rather fond of each other. One night, when the three boys sneak outside to watch a badger family, tragedy happens. The badger-baiters come and capture the whole family of badgers, and their babies, for a deadly sport. Don’t the baiters know badgers are protected by law?
This story for middle-graders is action packed and well researched into the life of badgers. At first, the pace is slow, but it quickly picks up as the action increases. I was particularly impressed with how the author handled the suspense in the story, and the inclusion at the back of the book, of facts about badgers, the website if you would like to donate or help protect the badgers, and a phone number to call if you’re being abused.
I award 5 stars.
