The Boy Who Was is a children's historical fantasy novel by Grace Taber Hallock. It tells the story of a human boy blessed with eternal life who participates in the march of history as it moves across the Bay of Naples for 3,000 years. Nino witnesses the destruction of Pompeii, the sack of Rome, the Children's Crusade, and the coming of Garibaldi. The novel, illustrated by Harrie Wood, was first published in 1928 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1929.