Billy Goat Hill

By Mark Stanleigh Morris and Mark Stanleigh

1958. Eisenhower is in the White House, Elvis is in the army, and eight-year-old Wade Parker is thrilled that Duke Snider and the Dodgers have moved west from Brooklyn. Yet all is not well in the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590524063
• ISBN13: 9781590524060
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 357 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Best book I've read this year!

Thank you Mr. Morris! Billy Goat Hill is one of the best books I've ever read. I totally related to the character of Wade Parker. I laughed and I cried and I didn't want the story to end. I definitely recommend this book to teenagers. I am almost 16 and not the best reader but books like this one make me want to read.

So easy to tell that this is something special

This book immediately caught my eye very early on this year in CBD's catalogue. And just when I saw the cover, I knew that this had to be something pretty special to the author's heart. I guess when it comes down to it, what author doesn't write about something that's in the blood, you know? Every book that comes out comes out with a reason. But this seemed to have more than just a purpose, and that was what attracted THIS man to read "Billy Goat Hill" by Mark Stanleigh Morris. I was correct, because this was worth every penny off the cover price, and then some. Well, you meet the Parker brothers! At least you meet Wade and Luke, and Wade does a find job as narrator. He talks about how it all got started on Billy Goat Hill with a dare to ride The Crippler! You learn how him and Luke meet Scar, later in the book known as "The Sergeant" as well as his special friend, Miss Cherry. You will learn that Wade and Luke love these 2 special people. The love for them is like the love of their dog, Mac. You are taken to some of the glory days of Duke Snyder, and you may have inner debate of whether Don Drysdale or Sandy Koufax is the better pitcher of that era. Depending on your nature, you might develope a slight hatred for mockingbirds, or come to love them all the more. But when it comes down to it, Morris has a message. Can we forgive? Can we come to an understanding at times? There is a quiet understanding in this, even through our inner demons, and it just goes to show that love can conquer all, and that Christ can heal a broken heart. While that doesn't give anything away, I think I'll leave it at that. But in saying that, do yourself a favor and check this out! Very special indeed!! This deserves more than a pat on the back. This deserves a big embrace!

My New Favorite Novel

I read the earlier reviews for this book and decided to ask for it. I am 12, so my mom read the book first and it made her cry and laugh. We both love to read novels. We are fiction freaks. This is a great book! It is my new favorite! I am planning to do a book review for school. I hope you read it too! Blessings to you all. Christina.

4 1/2 Stars...It's About Time!

The field of Christian fiction for men is growing larger. Finally. The women have chick-lit, but until recently the men had sparse options. "Billy Goat Hill" follows in the steps of Michael Morris' "A Place Called Wiregrass," Brad Whittington's "Welcome to Fred," and Dale Cramer's "Bad Ground." This is literature, full of carefully rendered characters, memorable settings, and moral lessons that are powerful in their brevity. "Billy Goat Hill" follows the lives of two brothers growing up in the suburbs of greater Los Angeles. They are typical boys, mischievous and adventure-seeking. But they are without a father, and their mother is very withdrawn after the death of their baby brother. A local policeman becomes a surrogate father of sorts, yet when one of the boys believes himself responsible for an accidental murder, all of their lives will be changed--for good and for bad. Ultimately, Morris' story is one of redemption. Along the way, he shows the struggles of childhood, and the manner in which these struggles continue into adulthood. While keeping the story palpable for a Christian audience, Morris also portrays real issues in the lives of boys and men. Although the story drags in a few places and the last third of the book switches quickly, somewhat abruptly into the future, I found the story engrossing. The endouement paints a clear picture of God's hand and forgiveness in our lives, even through the deceptions of sin and humanity. Thank God for quality men's literature in this market. It's about time.

One of my favorite books

Billy Goat Hill is Mark Stanleigh Morris' debut novel. And what a debut! When I read, I read primarily for enjoyment. It's always a bonus if a book can truly touch my heart and make me smile, laugh, cry or just plain feel deeply about the characters and their circumstances. Morris has accomplished all of that and more. It's 1958 in Los Angeles and eight-year-old Wade Parker's baby brother died. Wade's mother, Lucinda (he refers to his mother by her first name), is so grief struck that she's distanced herself from her two living children. And Earl, Wade's alcoholic father, has abdicated his parental responsibilities. To compensate for his parents' emotional and physical absence, Wade dreams (throughout the novel) that Duke Snyder, the Dodgers ballplayer, is his father. And he fantasizes what life would be like with Duke as dad. One early morning, Wade and Luke, his six-year-old brother, take a journey to nearby Billy Goat Hill to slide down on cardboard (a poor kid's version of bobsledding). While Wade and Luke are waiting for another sledder to arrive and tackle the hill with them, they meet a man and woman and witness what they believe is a confrontation between a motorcycle gang and the police. Thus begins Wade's journey from childhood, as a vulnerable "lost" kid, to an adult man of God. Billy Goat Hill allowed me to slip back in time, to an era that was simpler, but no less difficult because it's all about life and life is filled with drama, tragedy, humor and adventure. Morris' wonderfully complex, fully developed characters and rich prose is delightful. And the message of forgiveness and redemption left me feeling hopeful and satisfied. Billy Goat Hill is a treasure waiting to be savored. The only regret that I have about this book is because it is labeled 'Christian Fiction' many people may pass on reading it and that would be a tragedy.