Lindsey Reviews : A boy named Ray - Marissa Marchan

 

 

Review: A Boy Named Ray - Marissa Marchan - July 2012

The story of a boy named Ray initially begins with Mary and Theo: a husband and wife who are shunned by the town they live in due to their disfigured appearances.   Effectively driven out, they travel to find a safe haven and eventually come across a beautiful area of land which is peaceful and bountiful in food and nature. They decide to set home up here and live their days safe and contented. However, Mary yearns for a child and asks God to help her.  Theo and Mary are eventually granted their wish in the arrival of a beautiful healthy little boy.  They decide to call their miracle baby Ray.  Yet Ray is not an ordinary child: as he grows, his parents become aware of his special powers and seemingly magical affinity with both animals and particularly the elements.

When Ray reaches 5 years old, he expresses a wish to attend school.  However, although his parents adore their son, they still have not forgotten the harsh treatment and ostracisation which they received at the hands of people due to their appearance.  Reluctantly they allow their son to go to a local kindergarten but warn him to disguise his magic powers.   Starting school changes Ray and his parents lives forever but not before encountering predjudice, jealously, fear and some hairy incidents.

This was a lovely story; perfect for a young child. It dealt with themes of diversity and how even if people are different in appearance or manner, diversity is a quality to be celebrated.  It illustrated the importance of family, of being there for our family and friends and standing up to people who bully us.  It was a gentle story full of adventure and would appeal greatly to younger children.  Just the thing for bedtime reading.