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97th out of 136 books
—
554 voters
Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas
by
Gary Paulsen
Meet Jake who lives in a neighborhood controlled by street violence and fear. He meets a sculptor across the street, and his eyes are opened to another world. Or Jojo,who's closer to her three dogs than to her foster family. When Jojo tries to help another girl who needs a friend, the dogs know what to do. Or Jamie, Erik, and Grandpa, who make up an unusual family....more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
September 13th 2011
by Wendy Lamb Books
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Dec 04, 2012
Ed
added it
Paulsen, G. (2011). Paintings from the cave. New York: Random House/Wendy Lamb Books. 163 pp. ISBN: 978-0-385-74684-7. (Hardcover) $15.99.
Gary Paulsen lived virtually alone from a very early age. Often out by himself in the woods or under the care of someone other than his parents, Paulsen knows what it is like to figure out how to survive and he has many books (not just Hatchett) that prove this. Paintings from the Cave are three novellas that show three troubled youth, Jake, Jo, and Jamie, and...more
Gary Paulsen lived virtually alone from a very early age. Often out by himself in the woods or under the care of someone other than his parents, Paulsen knows what it is like to figure out how to survive and he has many books (not just Hatchett) that prove this. Paintings from the Cave are three novellas that show three troubled youth, Jake, Jo, and Jamie, and...more
Copied from "Josiah":
""You can't learn anything talking 'cause you're just saying stuff you already know. You've got to be quiet to learn."
—Paintings from the Cave, P. 32
Gary Paulsen starts right off in this book by dealing with some heavy issues in the opening "Note from the Author". He mentions the dark nature of his own youth, and admits that when he was a kid it was only literature and dogs that allowed him to see the light of hope in his life just enough to give him reason to keep moving fo...more
""You can't learn anything talking 'cause you're just saying stuff you already know. You've got to be quiet to learn."
—Paintings from the Cave, P. 32
Gary Paulsen starts right off in this book by dealing with some heavy issues in the opening "Note from the Author". He mentions the dark nature of his own youth, and admits that when he was a kid it was only literature and dogs that allowed him to see the light of hope in his life just enough to give him reason to keep moving fo...more
Nov 06, 2012
Holly Frabizio
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
brothers,
bullying,
cancer,
coming-of-age,
family,
friendship,
teen-pregnancy,
young-adult,
urban-fiction,
realistic-fiction,
novellas,
drugs,
poverty,
homeless,
abuse,
problem-fiction,
rape
I had seen the name Gary Paulsen many time before but I had never read anything by written by him. When I saw this collection of three novellas I snapped it up and read it in a few days. This book is so beautiful and so complicated that you need to take your time with it. It is also so horrific and so incredibly sad that you need some time to process each of the stories on their own before moving to the last. Paulsen creates three very different worlds and three very different perspective of the...more
It's almost impossible to go wrong with any book written by Gary Paulsen, and this one is no exception. The three separate stories all deal with similar themes of very difficult childhood experiences in which dogs and/or art play a major healing role. Of course, these stories mirror Gary Paulsen's own childhood, about which he has written extensively. As a dog lover, I relate especially well to the important therapeutic role that dogs play in Gary Paulsen's books, both fiction and nonfiction (e....more
I picked this up from our local library for a few reasons: 1) I was waiting for another book to arrive to read to my sons (13 and 11), and needed something short just to tide us over til then. 2) I read some of Paulsen's previous work, and knew him to be a strong author. 3) This was not only short, it was separated into three stories. I figured it would be perfect.
I like the book, but I did not realize the content of the stories beforehand. So that all of you know that may want to read it to you...more
I like the book, but I did not realize the content of the stories beforehand. So that all of you know that may want to read it to you...more
Let me begin by saying that I read this book in one day, a windy day with my dogs curled beside me. How could I not love this book?
The first story "Man of the Iron Heads" was really sad yet so true. I am reminded of a student who walked by my house every day. One day he got in trouble in class and had to miss lunch. He was sobbing because he was missing lunch. Upon discussion about the fight in class and his reaction to missing lunch it turned out that he was locked out of the house all day AND...more
The first story "Man of the Iron Heads" was really sad yet so true. I am reminded of a student who walked by my house every day. One day he got in trouble in class and had to miss lunch. He was sobbing because he was missing lunch. Upon discussion about the fight in class and his reaction to missing lunch it turned out that he was locked out of the house all day AND...more
I started this book thinking that the three novellas it contained would end up being so short that I wouldn't be able to get much out of them. Never having read anything by this author before, I definitely underestimated him. Gary Paulsen carefully crafts three different worlds, all the realities of three children. These kids have known more hurt and heartache than most people have in a lifetime and shouldn't have had to go through. But Paulsen doesn't present them in a way that calls for immedi...more
Gary Paulsen has always been everyone’s favorite writer of middle-grade fiction. This is the man who owns a sense of humor that is truly wonderful, and who brings his readers fun and insight with every single title he pens. But this…this new book from the master…is a wonderfully emotional and stunning work that will leave readers breathless.
Paulsen has spoken about his own upbringing as being extremely difficult - until his art and his dogs saved his life and brought him into a wonderful future....more
Paulsen has spoken about his own upbringing as being extremely difficult - until his art and his dogs saved his life and brought him into a wonderful future....more
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I've been relying on trusted authors lately: Jordan Sonnenblick and Gary Paulsen have never let me down, and this was no exception. Most of us know Paulsen as an adventure writer, with Hatchet and Brian's Winter coming immediately to mind. But he is also hilarious - see How Angel Peterson Got His Name - and a master of drama, as seen in this, his latest work.
This is a quick read in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure: even the lowest readers in my class would be able to read it on their o...more
This is a quick read in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure: even the lowest readers in my class would be able to read it on their o...more
I enjoyed listening to these three novellas by Paulsen. From his introduction to the last sentence of the last story his writing was both intense and real to the very core, but also hopeful. Although his stories took place in worlds children shouldn't have to call home Paulsen gave his characters a lifeline through art and through dogs, providing a shining beacon to the characters in their bleak situations.
The introduction made me tear up a bit, the way Paulsen describes the relationship between...more
The introduction made me tear up a bit, the way Paulsen describes the relationship between...more
This is not a book for the tender hearted. The stories will put you into situations you pray your children/students never have to experience and will make you weep for the ones that do.
Three separate stories about three different teenagers going through three totally different and yet similarly painful existences. I won't read it again, but it'll forever be burned into my brain.
My Class Recommendation: Might be a good book recommendation for younger teens with tough home lives. A good suggestion...more
Three separate stories about three different teenagers going through three totally different and yet similarly painful existences. I won't read it again, but it'll forever be burned into my brain.
My Class Recommendation: Might be a good book recommendation for younger teens with tough home lives. A good suggestion...more
Three separate stories about three different teenagers going through three totally different and yet similarly painful existences. All three give you such a clear picture of what their daily life is like and how it is so different than mine. It's a book for all of humanity to read. I've heard Gary Paulsen speak of his hard childhood and give great kudos to a man that can relate to readers on paper.
I picked this books up because it made the Lonestar reading list. But was encouraged to read it wh...more
I picked this books up because it made the Lonestar reading list. But was encouraged to read it wh...more
Paulsen delivers stories with emotional impact in “Paintings from the Cave: three novellas.”
Paulsen known for surviving a difficult childhood himself, presents three short novellas for young people in similar difficult circumstances and offering hope that “someday this will end.” The first story, “Man of the Iron heads,” is the most heartbreakingly grim picture of life in a ghetto I have ever read! I would love to see this story fleshed out to a full novel. In “Jo Jo, the dog faced girl,” the ma...more
Paulsen known for surviving a difficult childhood himself, presents three short novellas for young people in similar difficult circumstances and offering hope that “someday this will end.” The first story, “Man of the Iron heads,” is the most heartbreakingly grim picture of life in a ghetto I have ever read! I would love to see this story fleshed out to a full novel. In “Jo Jo, the dog faced girl,” the ma...more
If you've read a lot of Paulsen, you know that he writes a lot of survival and animal stories, but these three novellas deal with these themes in such a raw, heart-wrenching, and truly unsettling fashion. Since Paulsen is so open about his horrible upbringing, running away, having to be responsible for himself, it leads me to think that's why he chose to set so many books in the literal wilderness, and so many of his characters are from broken homes. Reminiscent of the autobiographical My Life i...more
"You can't learn anything talking 'cause you're just saying stuff you already know. You've got to be quiet to learn."
—Paintings from the Cave, P. 32
Gary Paulsen starts right off in this book by dealing with some heavy issues in the opening "Note from the Author". He mentions the dark nature of his own youth, and admits that when he was a kid it was only literature and dogs that allowed him to see the light of hope in his life just enough to give him reason to keep moving forward toward that d...more
—Paintings from the Cave, P. 32
Gary Paulsen starts right off in this book by dealing with some heavy issues in the opening "Note from the Author". He mentions the dark nature of his own youth, and admits that when he was a kid it was only literature and dogs that allowed him to see the light of hope in his life just enough to give him reason to keep moving forward toward that d...more
Paulsen has written a very gritty book that is close to him considering his own troubled childhood, but was inspired by the experiences of his readers. These stories consider the question of how a child goes on and keeps hope when life is terrible; not the “I can’t believe I got an F” terrible, but the “how do I keep myself alive and not give in to total despair” terrible. Paulsen has been writing survival stories for a long time, but these survival stories are different; they are heartrending....more
This was a very short, sad collection of novellas. Each story tells about a young teen who lives in the inner city who has to deal with a bad home life, hunger, and other major issues. The first story is aobut a kid who is trying to stay away from a drug dealer who rules his neighborhood. He befriends a man who is an artist and is given pizza and money in exchange for sitting for him. The second is about a girl who has dogs as her only friends, but she meets a girl who is lonely as well, but for...more
Feb 16, 2012
Austinhunter
added it
This book has three different mini books in them. Each one takes place in a bad time or in a bad place or the people are going through troubled times. I really like these stories because when you finish one you want it to keep going because you get to know the character so much and you start to like and respect them. Sometimes you feel sorry for them because in the situation they are in and what has gone on in the past with them. There is not a dull moment in these books. You always want to know...more
Life is different and difficult for everyone in their own way. There are challenges that eachone has to work through for ourselves. The three compelling novellas in this book. Man of the Iron Heads, has Jake or J, as he is called, trying to lead an invisible life in the alley. He is also protecting his friend Layla. The fast-paced narrative showcases the real lives of the kids. Jo-Jo the dog-faced girl is about the only human friend of Jo-Jo who has Lukemia. In Erik's Rules, we read about a tale...more
Mystery
Gary Paulsen
December 2012
This book has 3 stories in it. The first story was about a dog faced girl with alot of disabilities. The third story was about Erik's rules like what you can do and what you are not supposed to do. Erik is the main character in the story and he has a sister and tells her his rules like what do to when something happens or if she is in a bad situation and she needs help she asks Erik. I liked this book because I liked how it had 3 stories in one book and it was kin...more
Gary Paulsen
December 2012
This book has 3 stories in it. The first story was about a dog faced girl with alot of disabilities. The third story was about Erik's rules like what you can do and what you are not supposed to do. Erik is the main character in the story and he has a sister and tells her his rules like what do to when something happens or if she is in a bad situation and she needs help she asks Erik. I liked this book because I liked how it had 3 stories in one book and it was kin...more
Three short novellas about children living in difficult circumstances. Jake, on his own in the slums of a big city befriends an artist and catches a glimpse of the other side of the street. Jo-Jo avoids her abusive parents by turning to her 3 adopted dogs for love and companionship. 10-year-old Jamie and his brother Eric are runaways, on their own since their grandfather’s stroke. Paulsen depicts the difficulty many children have growing up despite neglect and abuse. These would be good springbo...more
Three short novellas that will fill your heart to overflowing...stories of young people facing daily life under the scathing brutality of drugs, gangs, foster care abuse and homelessness. From art, friends, even the wet noses of a loyal pet-- these kids manage to carve out a place to belong and find beauty and comfort in having "just enough"...a beautiful rendering that will leave the reader with a lingering sense of sadness as well as tearful joy in the resiliency of the human spirit.
My favorite Paulsen book yet!
Many children have to deal with and exposed to a lot from the adults in their life: no love or care, food or clothes, drug addiction, drinking, homelessness, being molested, and mentally and physically abused. Paulsen gives you a real look into three different preteens lives and how they live and then a glimmer of hope for the future.
Just a reminder to me to always smile--it maybe the only one they get that day.
161 pages
Many children have to deal with and exposed to a lot from the adults in their life: no love or care, food or clothes, drug addiction, drinking, homelessness, being molested, and mentally and physically abused. Paulsen gives you a real look into three different preteens lives and how they live and then a glimmer of hope for the future.
Just a reminder to me to always smile--it maybe the only one they get that day.
161 pages
Three novellas....three short stories, but there's nothing short about the message and power that these stories pack.
Jake's life is molded and transformed when he meets a sculptor.
Jojo finds refuge in her dogs, who know more about her and life than any other human she's been in contact with.
Jamie must follow his brother's rules just to survive from day to day.
These three short stories will stay with you for a LONG time.
Jake's life is molded and transformed when he meets a sculptor.
Jojo finds refuge in her dogs, who know more about her and life than any other human she's been in contact with.
Jamie must follow his brother's rules just to survive from day to day.
These three short stories will stay with you for a LONG time.
Gary Paulsen is a master craftsman, and these three novellas are no exception. Characters in the hardest of times find hope in either art or dogs or both. The first story is by far the hardest to read, and because of it I would only recommend this book to 7th grade and up. (And by hardest I mean emotionally and content-wise, not word choice.) A powerful book.
This book has 3 story in it called You Stop Moving You're Done, Dogs Know How To Love Better Then People, and I'm Surprised My Pencil Can Take My Hand Where My Mind Would Never Go. The book good all 3 story but it more of a book for teens because there bad word. but if you are a teen i recommend reading this book.
I always enjoyed reading Gary Paulson's books growing up, so when I came across this one the other day I decided I needed to read it too. I was not disappointed at all, it was a very engrossing read, all three stories are real, and very touching. I recommend this book for adults and children alike!
Insightful stories of young people in difficult situations, and what they do to survive and thrive. Gary Paulsen is already know as one of the best writers for children and young adults. I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book! I think everyone should read it - both teens and adults.
I first met this author when I read Hatchet many years ago. I recommended his fantastic book to everyone who would listen. After reading these short stories I'm sure that Hatchet is still the best of his work and that these stories are a great addition to his works of art.
The front cover of this book didn't do it justice at all. I was hesitant to pick it up, because it looked boring. Fortunately, the inside was much more interesting. Three short stories introduce you to three young teens whos lives are filled with abused and/or neglect.
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| Page Turners: Paintings from the Cave | 1 | 1 | Jan 17, 2013 05:41pm | |
| Page Turners: January 2013- Paintings from the Cave | 1 | 2 | Jan 17, 2013 04:45pm |
Although he was never a dedicated student, Paulsen developed a passion for reading at an early age. After a librarian gave him a book to read--along with his own library card--he was hooked. He began spending hours alone in the basement of his apartment building, reading one book after another.
Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adve...more
More about Gary Paulsen...
Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adve...more
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