Review: Ned, Barnardo Boy

by Melanie | August 5th, 2010

There are only a select subset of books that I reread. Most are barely worth the time to finish them, but there are a few that bear rereading again and again. Dorothy Sayers is like that. Although she writes mysteries, her prose is so enjoyable that you don’t even care that you know “who dunnit.” I was rereading one of hers the other day and Harriet mentioned to Lord Peter that someone was a Barnardo’s boy. Thanks to Barbara Coyle, this time I knew what she meant!

Anyone in the England of 70 or 100 or 140 years ago would know exactly what was meant by a Barnardo’s boy – a orphan taken in by one of the many homes  established by Dr. Thomas Barnardo, an evangelical Christian with an early ambition for the foreign mission field, who found his God-given mission ministering to the “least of these my brethren.” Barbara Coyle, a missionary wife herself, brings that history to life in Ned, Barnardo Boy.


This is quite a remarkable book. I have very high standards for writing in fiction (see my earlier remarks about Dorothy Sayers!) and in fact, there are some popular authors that I just can’t read – the cringe factor is too high. I can get past poor writing in nonfiction in order to get the information, but in fiction, where the goal is the suspension of disbelief, every time I have to cringe about the writing “Bam!” my imagination has crashed and I’m back to reality – and the book loses any appeal it had. When Barbara contacted me about reviewing her book, I went out to their site and read the first chapter. I was hooked. Barbara Coyle can write!

What I didn’t realize is that the book would get better and better. Decent, accurate historical fiction is worthwhile by itself because we understand history so much better when we can imagine living it – it cements it in our heads much more firmly – but the very best historical fiction is not just historically accurate, but it brings to life the moral struggles of the time and shows God’s providence in the lives of men. That’s why we love G.A. Henty novels and why we believe that Ned, Barnardo Boy is a book you need to get your family.

The story follows the life of Ned, a street urchin and orphan in London, and very clearly shows the heartbreak and trials of his life without dwelling on the horrific. When he is brought to Barnardo’s, his life isn’t automatically peaches and cream and the novel deals with the challenges of the new situations, new discipline, and the equally challenging boys around him. Ned learns to work hard, to get along with others, and to like where he is, when suddenly he’s chosen to emigrate to Canada. What he faces there, is not just an important piece of history, it is replete with lessons for our children.

One of the huge temptations of young men is to react to criticism or perceived rejection with anger and sullenness. This is one of the great tools of the enemy in the lives of our teens. As their hormones jump around and they go from belligerent with a chip on their shoulder to crying, “Nobody understands! Nobody cares about me!”, the enemy constantly tempts them to anger and sullenness toward the people best able to help them navigate through this time of life – their parents. Ned, Barnardo Boy gives us a fantastic example of the righteous way to deal with those situations and those feelings. Ned’s not a too-perfect-to-be-real character, but he does make the righteous choice and the book ends in joy. And, it’s full of adventure and interest for boys, too! Highly recommended.

The Coyle family are missionaries in Ireland and are using the proceeds from Ned, Barnardo Boy to fund their adoption from Ethiopia. Please purchase the book from CreateSpace where the Coyles receive the highest percentage.

And if that weren’t enough, there is an awesome-looking 143 page month-long unit study that you can buy to go with it! I want this for my children! Check it out at CurrClick — be sure to look at the preview – and grab it quick, it’s on sale for $15 $10! I particularly like the extra resources included; this isn’t just a questions about the book unit study!

Ned, Barnardo Boy, CreateSpace, December 2009, 166 pages, $12.99. Footnoted, with definitions of difficult words.

A free copy of Ned, Barnardo Boy and the Study Guide were provided to us in return for our honest review.

A Contest!

The Coyle family has graciously given us TWO copies WITH unit study guides to give away! If you’d like to win one, just post a comment on this review. For extra entries, post a link to this review on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, your email group, or bulletin board and tell you did it in a comment. If you’re on our newsletter list, or Facebook page, and comment and let us know, that will count as an extra entry, too! Contest ends Wednesday, August 11th, at noon 4pm EDT. Be sure to check back then, or sign in with Disqus so that we can find you. If we don’t hear from you in a few days, we’ll select another winner.

  • Jayme

    I so appreciate this information – I am always on the lookout for quality reading material for my young men. Our library has gone the way of promoting the werewolf/vampire yuck – having adopted the philosophy that as long as the kids are reading, it doesn't really matter what they are reading. I personally could not agree LESS with that. Anyway, I greatly appreciate this review and the quality information you share.

  • Heather

    Added this to my facebook account. My kids are avid readers and so Iam always looking for something to add to their library!

  • http://twitter.com/raisingrealmen Raising Real Men

    I'm adding another comment here for you, Heather, since you posted on Facebook, too!

  • RachelR

    Sounds like a wonderful book for our family!

  • Susan

    I really really need to put this on my must buy list I suppose. I know nothing about Christians in England.

    susan

  • Chautona

    I own the book and don't want to take a copy away from someone else, so by all means, if my name is drawn, remove it, but I agree with you. This is a very WELL DONE book.

  • Cheryl Lynn

    OH, this looks wonderful! I love that you said it addresses the 'nobody cares' attitude…already shows up in my 6 year old at times that we discuss/pray about. I am going to post a link on my FB and send this out to some of my friends who might be interested. Thanks.

  • zekesmom10

    My grandfather was placed in a home with his siblings when they were young. Though he wasn't a Bernardo boy, I find the parallels interesting and would love to read more!

  • http://www.prairiesings.wordpress.com Tina

    I read a biography on Dr. Barnardo. He was an interesting man. I would love to have a copy of Barbara's book for my kids and I to read.

    Tina

  • Restinginhishands

    Way to go Barbara!! I think Ill be adding this to my home school reading list!!

  • Simone

    Great review – would love to have this book in our family :-)

  • Elaine

    Thanks for the great review!

  • Sara

    Sounds great! Would love to share this book with the kids!

  • cynthia

    I would love to win!!! Barbara's work is great!

  • cynthia

    I also posted a link to your review on my blog! :)

  • http://carishepard.wordpress.com/ Cari Shepard

    ooh, I'd love to win a copy. We own one, but I would love to have a copy to give to my boys' school (I don't think my son will part with his copy).

  • R.

    I've heard great things about this book and would love to read it!

  • Renee

    I read part of the book already and loved it! I would love to own a copy!!

  • Spring

    We'd love to win a copy of this! Thank you!

  • Tracysiegner

    Would love a copy!! I am raising two boys as a single Mom and need all the help I can get!!!!

  • Fredsissha

    Would so love a copy – we have 3 boys (7, 6, 4) and 1 girl! I attempted to start a blog named Let Boys be Boys, but realized it was more important to give my time to MY actual boys… would love to learn from your insights!

  • Robbi

    The book sounds wonderful and I would love to win it and share it with my sons!

  • Christine Yageman

    Greetings and Blessings!

    May I just say, “What Heavenly Timing,” with this amazing book review! It truly would be an honor and blessing to win a copy of the story and study. However, I'll be just as pleased to purchase it myself. We are blessed with three young men, our eldest is 19 years of age, turning 20 in February. He will be off to the Marines by the beginning of Spring of 2011, after finishing up a year at our community college. Which will then leave us our other two sons in the home, to love, encourage and teach. We could really learn and benefit from these timeless truths spoken of in this book. Our middle son just turned 13 this Summer, and my oh my have we begun a challenging teenage adventure with him! Love them all to pieces, but could really benefit from some extra added Godly knowledge at this season. I thank you very much for informing us all of this amazing life changing knowledge and offer. Take care, continuing faithfully on the path God has placed you on. Being a blessing to others, and being blessed in return for the Humble, Pure and Noble motives of your heart.

    FOR HIS GLORY ALONE,
    Mrs. Christine Yageman

  • Orvis17

    I enjoyed your review of the book. I am interested in the way you say she uses criticism and anger. Our family would be blessed to receive the book and if not we will bless the Coyles by purchasing it. Thank you for this opportunity. We pray for your family daily!

  • http://myhomeinthesmokies.blogspot.com/ Joy Ellis

    The book sounds wonderful! I know my kids would definitely enjoy it!

  • Maytheybemightymen

    This sounds really, really good! It goes perfectly with what we'll be studying this year, so I hope I win. Sharing on my FB.

  • Ghkrll4230

    Sounds like a really good study

  • http://twitter.com/raisingrealmen Raising Real Men

    Adding an extra comment for you since you shared on Facebook!

  • john14six

    Sounds like a great book. You've peeked my interest. I'll post on facebook too. Just found you guys through someone's comment on facebook. Glad to have found you. Looking forward to reading “Raising Real Men”.(just ordered it : ) )

  • http://twitter.com/raisingrealmen Raising Real Men

    Congratulations, Cheryl Lynn! You win! Please email us at info at raisingrealmen dot com with your address and we'll get it sent right out.

  • http://twitter.com/raisingrealmen Raising Real Men

    Congratulations, Cynthia! You win! Send us an email at info at raisingrealmen dot com with your address and we'll get it sent right out.

  • Cheryl Lynn

    YAY! Thank you so much. I have tried typing in raisingrealmen.com to no avail. Am I not typing in the proper email addy? Is there somewhere else I can send you my personal information? Thanks and sorry for my confusion.

  • Cheryl Lynn

    Should add that when I typed the addy here, it took me to your site. When I go to my email, it says it's not formatted properly?? Strange. Ok, no more replies until you do! LOL!