When a number of "feral children" are found in a New England town during the Depression, only young Roger Westwood suspects they are not earthly creatures, though even he cannot guess their true nature or their mission on this planet.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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From Publishers Weekly
Told in the first-person, this old-fashioned science fiction novel looks back upon the childhood of an old scientist. The narrator has puzzled over certain events for more than seven decades, events set into motion one morning when he was 10. A child appears out of a flash of light in their backyard and, believed to be feral or abandoned, is taken in by his family. But, before long, the child, Ben, reveals extraordinary intelligence and development. He matures quickly, finishes college in two years and ages much quicker than the narrator. The narrator's stepfather begins to investigate the other children who appeared on Earth in the same mysterious fashion as Ben; an alien race has seeded the human population with some of their own, strengthening their bloodlines and stimulating human progress. Ben gathers together as many of the aliens and their half-human offspring as he can find, and, in a flash of light, they return to the stars. While this is not a revolutionary novel, its themes of otherworldliness and superhumans will still appeal to SF fans. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10 This science fiction period piece depicts a quiet New England community near the turn of the century as it is visited and changed by a handful of strange un earthly beings, one of whom is taken in by the Westwood family and becomes young Roger's Westwood's brother. Considered at first to be feral children , they soon as tonish their foster families by the extreme rapidity with which they learn language and customs and by their unusual recuper ative powers after injury. Roger's foster brother eventually marries Roger's sister, produces children who seem to share the unique qualities of the strangers, and be gins a grand quest to track down and re unite all the alien visitors who have ap peared throughout the United States in an effort to piece together the puzzle of their purpose on Earth. Jacobs' formal poetic style is appropriate for the time period. The story unfolds through the eyes of el derly Roger Westwood. Although this technique of an adult looking back on childhood events may limit the book's ac cessibility for some readers, the vividly visual language makes the novel a very finely crafted work. Gradual revelations about the nature of these beings and their origin should tantalize and beguile read ers, and with its fascinating plot, the book should appeal to many. Lyle Blake Smythers, Library of Congress, Washing ton, D.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Extreemly interesting and paints clear images in your mind.
Sep 24 1998
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I've been looking for this book for many years, but since it is out of print I haven't had any luck finding it. I first read this book in Grade 7 (I'm in Grade 11 now)and at that time I was getting into the paranormal realm and horror genre. This novel was about a boy found by localers in a small town, by an area with scorch marks on the earth. At first he can not speak, and is ignorant on activities which we perform in everyday life. As the weeks progress however, it becomes evident that the child is highly intelligent. His siblings begin to question who he is and where he comes from as the story evolves. (see questions asking " was it alien, animal or angel?") I loved this book and give it 4 or 4.5 stars out of 5. This is one book that lets you decide what the truth of the child is, or rather, the truth of what exists.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Charming children's book
Oct 14 2007
By Russell T. Warne
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This charming little children's book is the fictional story of two feral children who are raised by a pre-WWI American family and their remarkable experience. I read this as a child, and I liked it enough that it stayed in my head for over ten years before I bought it to read again. I enjoyed it as much now as I did then.
My only regret in reading this well-crafted story is that it isn't longer. Many interesting scenes are just summarized, and we only read snippets of the dialogue, leaving the reader wishing there were more. The book probably could have been expanded 50 pages without sacrificing readability for its target audience.
But I highly recommend it for anyone to read, not just kids.
My only regret in reading this well-crafted story is that it isn't longer. Many interesting scenes are just summarized, and we only read snippets of the dialogue, leaving the reader wishing there were more. The book probably could have been expanded 50 pages without sacrificing readability for its target audience.
But I highly recommend it for anyone to read, not just kids.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A realistic science fiction book
Oct 13 2003
A Kid's Review
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
If you're looking for a science fiction book that isn't too strange, Born into Light is a good choice. This book has an involving storyline. I first read it when I was in third or fourth grade and really enjoyed it. A few days ago I rediscovered it and was pleased to see that this book still appealed to me even though I am now in seventh grade.
Born into Light is set during the Depression in New England. It starts out with Roger Westwood, the main characture, reflecting back on his childhood. A strange boy appeared near Roger's house. His mother adopted the boy. As the story progresses, it becomes clear where Ben, as he is later named, came from.
This book has a well thought-out plot and realistic charactures. I've really enjoyed it, and I hope you will too.
Born into Light is set during the Depression in New England. It starts out with Roger Westwood, the main characture, reflecting back on his childhood. A strange boy appeared near Roger's house. His mother adopted the boy. As the story progresses, it becomes clear where Ben, as he is later named, came from.
This book has a well thought-out plot and realistic charactures. I've really enjoyed it, and I hope you will too.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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