Fiercely and Friends: The Big Something

Fiercely and Friends

by Patricia Reilly Giff, Diane Palmisciano (Illustrations)

An endearing new chapter book series by two-time Newbery Honor author of the bestselling Polk Street series.

Jilli and Jim are best of friends. But today, Jim has some news. Something scary is happening next door. Workmen are building something that is big and red. And a woman in a pointy hat is on a ladder painting. Could she be the witch from Hansel and Gretel making a big red gingerbread house?

When Jilli's dog Fiercely crawls under the fence and runs into the witch's yard--the children must go over there and rescue him! But a surprise is in store for everyone. The woman is not a witch at all. She's Ms. Berry--the nicest teacher from the school. And soon she will be their teacher!

With her characteristic warmth, humor, and irresistible child-friendly drama, Patricia Reilly Giff is at her very best!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was an American author and educator whose warm, emotionally resonant books made her a beloved figure in children's literature. After spending roughly two decades as a teacher, she turned to writing and brought a deep understanding of young readers to stories that balanced humor, resilience, and emotional truth. Educated at Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, and Hofstra University, she drew on both her classroom experience and literary instincts to create memorable fiction for children and middle-grade readers. She became especially well known for the popular Polk Street School series, which captured the everyday dramas of school life with charm and empathy. Beyond those books, she wrote acclaimed novels such as Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Eleven, and Genevieve's War, often exploring themes of belonging, family, hardship, and courage. Her work earned wide recognition, including Newbery Honors, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, and a Christopher Award. Giff also influenced younger writers through her workshops and teaching spirit. Throughout her career, she remained a compassionate literary voice whose stories spoke directly to children's fears, hopes, and imaginations.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jilli and Jim are best friends. Along with Jilli's dog Fiercely, they have an encounter with a mysterious woman who moves in next door to Jim. Is she a witch, like the witch in Hansel and Gretel? After all, she's wearing a pointy hat!

Not only is this book a fine, suspenseful story for early readers. Parents and caregivers may seize upon a teachable moment to bring up the difference between fairy tales, or movies, or TV... and reality.

FIVE STARS in honor of the endearing kids and dog, with natural-sounding narration achieved through precious few words. Plus, this book is greatly enriched by the direct-and-delightful drawings by Diane Palmisciano.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has children eating gummy bears off the floor of a shed then feeding them to a dog. Also had a character afraid of lobsters.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit overly wordy, but fairly amusing.

[Tima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jilli and Jim are playing with their dog, Fiercely in their yard. But Jim notices something being built in the yard next door. As they peer through the fence they see workers building a red building. They also notice what appears to be a witch painting the building. They are really concerned and run back to the house. But while spying on the building from their house, they notice their dog has dug a hole under the fence and is now in the witches’ yard. Dressing up to appear scary and getting some food to entice the dog to return they creep over to the fence. But the witch turns out to be their teacher and she shows them the new building that will soon be their school. This book is a fun little mystery that children will enjoy solving. The illustrations are fun and help to tell the story as well. The words are simple enough that this could be a level 2 reader.
On a more personal note - neither of my children were very interested in this story. They don't care for witches or scary things so this might have had something to do with it.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Literature in exchange for my honest review.

[Kids Write Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiercely was digging a hole to China and Jilli and Jim thought the dog was lost.

Jilli thought next door there was a witch. They thought it was Hansel and Gretel’s house because the witch was on a ladder painting ice cream cones and gumdrops on the wall.

Actually she was painting a school for Jilli and Jim. And she wasn’t a witch, she was a teacher.

I liked this book because it was kind of cute how they thought the school was Hansel and Gretel’s house, so they went inside and saw a whole bunch of old stuff like gummi bears on the floor. There were also cobwebs all over the walls.

Original review at Kids Write Reviews.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this simple chapter book for early readers, Jilli and Jim must save Jilli's dog Fiercely after he digs a hole under the neighbor's fence. The children see the owner wearing a witch-like hat and painting a red house with sweet treats, and they jump to the wrong conclusions that she's a witch intent on luring children to the house in Hansel and Gretel fashion. It turns out that the house is something a little more ordinary than they thought, but it still has possibilities for the future. The oil pastel illustrations provide comic relief to the children's actions in finding something helpful for their attempts to bring Fiercely back.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do wish this one hadn't mentioned witches--even in the context of Hansel and Gretel's house. Not that the "witch" in question is a witch. Just two children with an active imagination fearing the worst...for their dog Fiercely. Turns out, Fiercely wasn't actually digging a hole to China, no, he was just digging under the fence to go next door to the new construction site. The kids are absolutely convinced that the new building is a house--a house just like in Hansel and Gretel. No matter how scared they are--no matter how terrified--they must save their dog from the witch who happens to be a teacher who is building a big red schoolhouse.

[Karen Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Big Something" by Patricia Reilly Giff is a chapter book for beginners. The story line is simple to follow and there are color illustrations on every page. Jim and Jilli are spying on the neighbor and jump to an incorrect conclusion. They decide that the lady next door is a witch and she is building Hansel and Gretel’s house. Jilli and Jim are trying to save Fiercely, their dog, from this women fate. Fiercely is digging up a storm and Jilli and Jim have to come to the rescue. This is a great chapter book for 2nd through 4th grade; the chapters are short with not too many words on a page, so the reader feels a sense of accomplishment in a short time, which is important.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early reader is cute. It appears to be a new early reader series and the cast of characters, lead by Fiercely a big dopey dog, and his owner Jill. A big misunderstanding leads to friendship for Jill and her friend. Early readers will delight in the bright colors and the "mystery" that Jill and her friend try to solve.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 chapters in this beginning reading book about a dog digging its way to china and the mysterious house next door.

[Kaymcwilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book