Essential.“Call my story ‘A Tale of Two Weddings.’ I was in both of them.” So says narrator Archer Magill as he stands amid the cake crumbs of wedding number two, chronicling in flashback the trail between being a first-grade ring bearer in the first wedding all the way to his current role as sixth-grade best man in the latest nuptials. A modern, funny, and realistic tale featuring strong, nuanced, and unforgettable characters. * “The Newbery Award–winning explores what it means to love and what it means to be a man. * 'A witty, engaging novel from a master storyteller.'- Booklist, starred review We're not done needing books like this. Comic, easy to read, swiftly paced, and matter-of-fact, Peck's latest steps out to lead the way.'- Horn Book, 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

Delicious-take a bite.'- Kirkus, starred review * 'A nostalgic slice of Rockwell Americana with a contemporary filling.

“A puberty-stricken middle schooler learns about sexuality, gay marriage, and the various different ways to be a man when two of his beloved male role models get hitched in Peck’s wonderful, important book.”- Entertainment Weekly a reminder that no matter your gender or sexuality, love is love is love.”- The New York Times Book Review His latest middle grade novel, The Best Man is. “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. School Library Journal Best Books of 2016Ĭhicago Public Library Best Books of 2016 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.Įntertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Books of 2016 In pages that ripple with laughter, there's a teardrop here and there. Then a really big one when he's the best man at the wedding of two of his role models.

He doesn't see too far ahead, so every day or so a startling revelation breaks over him. Archer wonders how much change has to happen before his voice does.

In fact, the first male teacher in the history of the school.īut now here comes middle school and puberty. 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. 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.Īrcher Magill has spent a lively five years of grade school with one eye out in search of grown-up role models.

The Best Man by Richard Peck