The Stoneboat

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

A young boy lives in fearful awe of his neighbor, Mr. Richard, a huge
taciturn miser who works 18 hours a day, owns the best land in the
county, and is owed money by nearly everyone in town. One day, when the
boy is out fishing, he sees Mr. Richard fall in the river and strike his
head on a rock. With help from his brother, the boy manages to save Mr.
Richard’s life, but instead of being grateful the big man merely
grunts and goes back to work. That night, the boys find out that their
farm faces foreclosure because their father owes Mr. Richard a lot of
money. Later that week, the boy sees Mr. Richard clearing stones in a
field. He approaches Mr. Richard, intending to ask him to forgive his
father’s debt in exchange for saving the big man’s life, but finds
himself joining Mr. Richard to pull a single large stone from the field.

Until the story concludes, readers do not know whether the young boy
will dare mention his father’s debt to Mr. Richard or not. This simple
tension, counterpointed with the gradual revelation of why Mr. Richard
is so antisocial, gives the story a wonderful energy that propels
readers through the pages. As the boy ponders how to confront his
neighbor, Mr. Richard’s complex character slowly unfolds.

Ange Zhang’s lovely artwork features unusual perspectives and
intriguing lighting highlights. Highly recommended.