Martin O’Boy (known as Boy O’Boy) lives in Ottawa in 1945. In an authentic and likeable first-person voice, Martin describes the gritty details of his neighborhood and family life, which are both painful and funny. The war has cast a dark shadow over his already dingy neighborhood, and Boy is the victim of humiliation and physical and mental abuse. He has a severely developmentally disabled twin brother who exhausts him, and parents who fight all the time. In spite of this, Boy is a mostly cheerful 12-year-old who is buoyed by movies, his cat, the image of strong soldiers, and his friends. He also sings with the local boys’ choir. At first this is a great honor and provides him much-needed pocket money and a sense of community at a time in his life when little else is stable. But the organist, Mr. George, slowly changes from a kind, fatherly man to vicious sexual predator, molesting first Martin, and then Martin’s best friend, Billy, in scenes that are uncomfortable but accessible to older children and teens. Both boys are ultimately able to help put an end to the abuse in a story that showcases Brian Doyle’s extraordinary ability to balance high humor with realistic, riveting drama. (Ages 11–14)

Winner of the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year, the Geoffrey Bilson Award, the Ruth Schwartz Award, and an ALA Notable Books List selection

Martin O'Boy's life is not easy. His beloved Granny has just died, his pregnant mother and father fight all the time and his twin, Phil, is completely incapacitated. Martin is the one his mother counts on.

But life in Ottawa's Lowertown is not all bad. He has his best friend, Billy Batson (a.k.a. Captain Marvel), the movies, his cat Cheap and there's the glamorous Buz from next door, who is off at the war.As the war comes to an end with the bombing of Hiroshima -- on Martin's birthday -- Ottawa is in a state of turmoil. Returning soldiers, parties, fights and drunks fill the streets.

It would all be very exciting, except for one thing. In their endless pursuit of more funds Martin and Billy have joined the church choir -- as summer boys. And the organist, Mr. T.D.S. George, is awfully fond of Martin. But Martin, despite his hardships, has a pure soul and his Granny's love, Billy's friendship, Buz's imminent return, and even his mother's reliance on him, which help him to deliver a kind of justice to Mr. George, and to heal himself and others.