"Possum Summer" is a heartbreaking novel about a girl and her father whose fractious relationship is healed by the hard lessons they learn about lo...
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Oct 06, 2011
Hilary
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The first thing that struck me about this novel was the fantastic character I found in Princess, or P, as she goes by. She loves the outdoors and getting dirty. I was the exact opposite of that and still am, I do not like getting dirty or roaming meadows! I like shopping and hotels! ;) The thing about P is she's very relatable to most young girls. I was a handful growing up as is P. She's a bit hard headed (as every girl should be), independent, and eventually has to decide for herself what the
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Oct 04, 2011
Cindy
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The first time P (short for Princess) picks up the tiny possum she knows she’s in trouble. For one thing, she knows her Dad doesn’t allow pets on their Oklahoma farm. For another, she doesn’t even know what baby possum’s eat. But after her dog killed the baby’s mama, P can’t just leave the little critter to die.
So begins Possum Summer, a delightful story about an eleven-year-old girl with a lot of determination, a hard-work ethic, and a dream to be responsible for the farm while her da More...
So begins Possum Summer, a delightful story about an eleven-year-old girl with a lot of determination, a hard-work ethic, and a dream to be responsible for the farm while her da More...
Sep 21, 2011
Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids
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This is a heartwarming story with a realistic portrayal of growing up on a rural farm in the heart of the midwest. Eleven year old P's adventure during one heartbreaking summer are relatable to anyone who's grown up in the country and has learned to deal with love, lost, and growing up.
Young P's summer adventures start when she and her family's dog Blackie, take to the creek bottoms to explore. After all, that's the fun part of living out in the country as a kid even if it's a place sh More...
Young P's summer adventures start when she and her family's dog Blackie, take to the creek bottoms to explore. After all, that's the fun part of living out in the country as a kid even if it's a place sh More...
Aug 21, 2011
Mary
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In my opinion, this story reads like a memoir, meaning the events often sound true but don’t make a good story. The plot is mostly predictable, but when it’s not predictable it’s disappointing. Princess known as P is the main character. P’s father is introduced early and the writer implies he will be a big part of the story, but his is an off stage character that never appears in the story. He has been injured in Iraq and then the hospital is bombed, but we never get any idea of whether his
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Jun 16, 2011
Barbara
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This touching story describes a chain of events that almost seem inevitably to lead to tragedy. When P rescues a baby possum whose mother was killed by her father's dog, she quickly becomes attached to the little creature, and the little one becomes attached to her. But P knows that their time together must be brief since her father has told her she cannot have any pets. She proceeds to train her new friend for a life on his own. Additionally, she tries to train her father's dog Blackie to obey
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Jul 06, 2011
Medeia
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Princess, aka P, has a father who adamantly believes all animals on a farm should have a purpose. When he goes on military duty he puts eleven-year-old P in charge of the farm. When her dad’s cattle dog kills a female possum, orphaning her helpless baby, P decides to take care of the little guy whom she names Ike. She takes him to school, weans him, and teaches him the ways of the wild since she knows she can’t keep him as a pet. Her father was injured in war and is about to come home. Will she
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Aug 26, 2011
Alison
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Jen K. Blom's debut novel spotlights a life rarely experienced by children these days. Princess, or P as she prefers to be called, is a tomboy who doesn't understand why her best friend is so enamored with computers and technology. She spends her free time outdoors, hates to wear shoes, and doesn't mind getting dirty. More than anything she wants a pet, but all animals on her family's farm must work. When the farm dog orphans a baby possum, P must decide what to do. Does she leave it to die? Doe
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Jun 05, 2011
Heidi
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Set during the first Gulf War, Possum Summer is the story of a young girl asked by her father to watch over their farm while he's fighting overseas. The weight of this responsibility weighs heavily on her, especially after finding out her dad's been hurt in battle. Methodically she checks their cattle, cares for the chickens, examines the fences, and tends to the working dog, Blackie, whom she's fallen in love with despite her father's warning that a farm has no pets.
It's Blackie who More...
It's Blackie who More...
Sep 09, 2011
Stephen
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I want a possum of my own!
I loved this book. The author has a frank, open style. The reader can connect immediately with the protagonist, P, and with the star of the story, Ike the possum. The first chapter will get your attention. The rest of the book will keep it. Beautifully illustrated. Perfect for its middle grade audience.
If you liked RASCAL by Sterling North, and wanted a racoon of your own when you finished it, you'll want a possum when you finish POSSUM SUM
I loved this book. The author has a frank, open style. The reader can connect immediately with the protagonist, P, and with the star of the story, Ike the possum. The first chapter will get your attention. The rest of the book will keep it. Beautifully illustrated. Perfect for its middle grade audience.
If you liked RASCAL by Sterling North, and wanted a racoon of your own when you finished it, you'll want a possum when you finish POSSUM SUM
Aug 06, 2011
Mary
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Summer on the plains of Oklahoma in modern times is brought to riveting life in this story of a young girl whose father is off fighting in the war. He has left their farm in her care. P (short for Princess) faces difficult decisions. The challenges bring to mind Wilson Rawls’ Where the Red Fern Grows. The reader will experience laughter, but if they come away without tears I’d be shocked and concerned.
Nov 25, 2011
Lorriezm
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I liked this book and think middle graders will really enjoy it. "P's" father does not believe in pets and wants only animals that earn their keep on their Oklahoma farm. He is away at war and has left her in charge. She has to make some tough decisions, after he dog kills a possum and she finds its tiny baby nearby.
There are lots of funny parts, but Blom will also make you cry!
There are lots of funny parts, but Blom will also make you cry!
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Jul 26, 2011
Kitty
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"POSSUM SUMMER" BY JEN K. BLOM (REVIEW)
This is a beautiful book about trust, learning to heal and knowing when to let go. This book made me cry, it was so beautifully written and you can't help but fall in love with P and her Possum friend. My 10 year old daughter read the book and she absolutely loved it. She has placed it on the shelf alongside some of her other favorites which include E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" and "The Trumpet of the Swan". In my More...
This is a beautiful book about trust, learning to heal and knowing when to let go. This book made me cry, it was so beautifully written and you can't help but fall in love with P and her Possum friend. My 10 year old daughter read the book and she absolutely loved it. She has placed it on the shelf alongside some of her other favorites which include E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" and "The Trumpet of the Swan". In my More...
Jul 01, 2011
Paula
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good lesson book, growing up, making hard decisions, taking responsibility
Jun 02, 2011
Janet
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Written for Grades 4-6. Spunky, likable main character.
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Aug 17, 2011
Linda
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A sweet story set in rural Oklahoma, this adorable book has a spunky main heroine and a cast of crazy animal characters including a donkey with a mind of its own and a cattle dog who hardly ever behaves. Young readers will enjoy the short chapters and the antics of P as she tries to raise an orphan opposum named Ike, all the while keeping him a secret. Trust me, you will learn more about possums than you ever thought you knew!
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