I liked the book, but thought it was a little overdone, like we were being hit over the head with the symbolism and that her parents weren't bad peopl...moreI liked the book, but thought it was a little overdone, like we were being hit over the head with the symbolism and that her parents weren't bad people. Also I thought the character was young for 11, but that the author made her that age so that her parents wouldn't seem irresponsible for letting a younger child wander around unattended. (less)
I really enjoyed this book, though I worry it might be hard to find the right audience for it. It is like a picture book aimed at the same audience of...moreI really enjoyed this book, though I worry it might be hard to find the right audience for it. It is like a picture book aimed at the same audience of Clementine or Ramona, only it is shaped more like a chapter book and has WAY fewer words. That said, they are good words and awesome illustrations, and really capture the spirit of friendship. I love the illustrations as well, and think they bring the whole thing to life.(less)
I think that this book comes across as a little gimiky because of the cover and the Star Wars tie ins, but it actually has a lot of depth in portrayin...moreI think that this book comes across as a little gimiky because of the cover and the Star Wars tie ins, but it actually has a lot of depth in portraying issues kids deal with in a complex and multi dimensional way. There are few real bad guys, even the dark side is portrayed as still having good in it. There are bullies and there are kids that don't really fit in, but there is good in everyone. I think the presence or lack of presence of parents in this book is interesting, and maybe will be explored in later books. Even though this is a sequel, I think that it just as strong, if not stronger.
My one complaint is this: towards the end the paper goes darker and is black text on grey paper, and is somewhat hard to read. But I'm old, so maybe kids wont mind as much.(less)
The premise of this book is great--Zelly and her grandfather hatch a plan to convince her folks to let her get a dog, she'll take care of a practice d...moreThe premise of this book is great--Zelly and her grandfather hatch a plan to convince her folks to let her get a dog, she'll take care of a practice dog made out of an empty O.J. bottle (including feeding, walking, and picking up pretend poo). However the book is not as funny as the premise--it is actually a much more serious book about relationships and family, responsibility and death. It captures the way that kids really do relate to people who are a lot older then they are--a little bit of fear, confusion, love, and many other mixed emotions.
And of course there are dogs--though not nearly enough dogs for me, it was still a good dog lovers book!(less)
A difficult read. Jack wakes up the first morning of his camping trip and his mom is missing. But Jack knows he can't tell anyone or he risks loosing...moreA difficult read. Jack wakes up the first morning of his camping trip and his mom is missing. But Jack knows he can't tell anyone or he risks loosing his mom forever. So he sets out on his own to find her, looking all over the Maine island, and running into all kinds of trouble tracing his mom. While Jack initially sets off to find his mom, he ends up on the run, knowing while he probably isn't going to find her, he can't be found by anyone else or they'll never have a chance to be a family again.
On one hand this is an adventure/survival story. How can Jack live on his own, with no/little money on his own, when he's not used to life on the streets? Jack is creative and willing to work, and meets people who are willing to help, though eventually he ends up running from everyone, since he knows they are all looking for him. On the other hand, from the beginning the reader and Jack knows that his mom has basically abandoned him, with nothing, in the middle of no where. The fact that Jack is not just trying to survive, but is in denial about what is happened to him, is really hard to read. It was like Jack needed to run because there was so much potential pain coming as he realizes the lies of his life are crashing down in a way he can't keep running from. I think that the issues he faces are actually bigger and more serious then the book can communicate, and reading it I brought my horror of the experience to the book.
This will work well for my realistic fiction book talk, fourth grade and up.(less)
I really enjoyed this cute little book about a girl and her dog. While I liked it a lot, the relationship with her dad and her teacher seemed improbab...moreI really enjoyed this cute little book about a girl and her dog. While I liked it a lot, the relationship with her dad and her teacher seemed improbable. I think this would really appeal to 3rd/4th graders.(less)
Loading...
