The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon

There are some strange ideas floating around in Paul’s apartment building. There’s Mabel, who now calls herself Molly and whose brother hides under a paper bag. Then there’s Clarence, the poodle who thinks he can fly. . . .

But the strangest idea of all is Paul’s. You see, Paul believes that the moon is not the moon but a great hole in the sky. How on earth (or not on earth) is he going to find out whether he’s a crackpot or a genius? With a few equally crackpot (or genius) helpers and a very long ladder, that’s how.

Crackpot notions, community spirit, and sky-high aspirations transform a quiet boy’s life in this whimsical tale from the stellar team of David Almond and Polly Dunbar.

There are some strange ideas floating around in Paul’s apartment block. There’s Mabel, who now calls herself Molly and whose brother hides under a paper bag. Then there’s Clarence, the poodle who thinks he can fly. But the strangest notion of all is Paul’s. You see, Paul believes that the moon is not the moon but a great hole in the sky. And he knows that sausages are better than war. How on earth (or not) will he find out if he is bonkers or a genius? With a few equally bonkers (or genius) helpers and a very long ladder, that’s how! From a master of magical realism and a celebrated artist comes another delightfully outrageous expedition.

Publishers Weekly

Almond (Raven Summer) shows his playful side in this story of an urban boy with a large imagination and unconventional neighbors. Paul, who lives in the basement apartment of a high-rise, yearns to touch the sky. He goes on an adventure to the top floor of his building, and on his way up he runs into some unusual residents. One of them, who is pretending (or is she?) to be the identical twin sister of an artist living on the top floor (“I will say that Mabel is on holiday in Barbados, and I have come to look after her apartment while she is away”), proves invaluable in helping Paul fulfill his wish. Then she goes a step further, finding someone who can aid Paul in testing his theory that “the moon is not the moon, but is a hole in the sky.” Adorned with Dunbar's whimsical pencil and ink illustrations, this book is a pleasing mix of silliness and creative thinking. Readers will take delight in meeting offbeat characters and in sharing the young hero's discovery of what lies beyond familiar territory. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)

David Almond is known worldwide as the award-winning author of SKELLIG, KIT'S WILDERNESS, CLAY, JACKDAW SUMMER, and many other books and plays. He is also the author of THE SAVAGE, illustrated by Dave McKean, and MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN, with art by Polly Dunbar. He lives in Northumberland, England.

Polly Dunbar is the author-illustrator of many children’s books, including DOG BLUE, PENGUIN, and six stories featuring Tilly and Friends. She is also the illustrator of David Almond’s MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN. Polly Dunbar lives in Brighton, England.