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163rd out of 223 books
—
338 voters
Possum Summer
by
Jen K. Blom (Goodreads Author)
"Possum Summer" is a heartbreaking novel about a girl and her father whose fractious relationship is healed by the hard lessons they learn about love and letting go. Illustrations.
Hardcover, 155 pages
Published
March 11th 2011
by Holiday House
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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...more
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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 dad is away...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 dad is away...more
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 she shouldn'...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 she shouldn'...more
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 inju...more
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...more
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...more
Possum Summer was an fascinating book. I got to learn about a farm girl named Princess and her duties to help out while her dad in in war. I got to learn the fun and dangerous things about the farm. Some of the fun things were you got this beautiful piece of land to explore and venture in, you got to learn about farm animals and their dangerous problems like rabies and gross cuts and bites. You would end up being very well educated on the animals. And in all of these fun facts I got to learn abo...more
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...more
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 sets the st...more
It's Blackie who sets the st...more
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 SUMMER.
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 SUMMER.
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.
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!
Started slow and has some parts that were a little "flowery", has a supposed setting of Oklahoma and seemed fairly accurate. The overall story was really good though and I enjoyed the book. I would definitely recommend to readers 4th grade and up.
Princess, 'P', and possum Ike swept me away in this amazing adventure. I laughed. I sniggered. I got teary eyed.
This made for a wonderful read! I can't wait for my kid to be old enough to read this! It's great for middle-graders. :D
This made for a wonderful read! I can't wait for my kid to be old enough to read this! It's great for middle-graders. :D
A sweet little book that captures life in Rural America and that will make you want a possum. :) (I read it for the Cattle Dog, but I fell in love with the possum.)
"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 opinion this book belongs with the classi...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 opinion this book belongs with the classi...more
good lesson book, growing up, making hard decisions, taking responsibility
Written for Grades 4-6. Spunky, likable main character.
Jan 21, 2012
Joshua
added it
author lives in Germany.
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!
A sweet little book that captures life in Rural America and that will make you want a possum. :) (I read it for the Cattle Dog, but I fell in love with the possum.)
Thanks for reading my book!
May 01, 2013
Mickslibrarian
marked it as to-read
Apr 09, 2013
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Middle Grade children's author living in Berlin, Germany, and writing about children and their animals!
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