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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “It has the power to make you think. I can't keep it on my library shelf!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Three great stories from one of my all-time favorite authors. They are all stories of kids who live very troubled lives, and art and dogs help them cope. My favorite part of the book was the introduction by the author and how he speaks of the euphemism "unhappy marrieage" and how he had what...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“It has the power to make you think. I can't keep it on my library shelf!”
Lisa Y. Smith wrote this review Saturday, December 29, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Gary Paulsen uses stroies from his own difficult childhood upbringing and write three novellas about Jake, Jojo and Jamie. They are all 12 year olds who tried to deal with their difficult situations through art or dogs, or both. The stories of these three children are intense and disturbing, but stories I think upper middle school and high school students can handle. In fact, I think that they need to read such stories in order to truly grasp what life , unfortunately, might be like for some of their peers. Not only are they stories of children who had to grow up too fast, they are also stories of pure strength and hope.
Annamaria wrote this review Monday, November 5, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme: Survival
Topic: art, animals, child abuse”“Three great stories from one of my all-time favorite authors. They are all stories of kids who live very troubled lives, and art and dogs help them cope. My favorite part of the book was the introduction by the author and how he speaks of the euphemism "unhappy marrieage" and how he had what was"euphematically referred to as a troubled childhood." This brought on a great discussion in class, and now my students keep referring to euphemisms. I love Gary Paulsen, but I can't say I loved this book, although I really liked it. ”
Linda B wrote this review Monday, September 10, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“If you like short stories, these are must reads.”
Daria D wrote this review Wednesday, September 5, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Insightful stories of young people in difficult situations, and what they do to survive and thrive.”
Margaret G wrote this review Tuesday, August 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book contains three novellas. If you are looking for happy endings, this book isn't for you. However, it shows the struggles many kids have to survive while growing up. It reminds us that many kids don't have safe places to live, enough food to fill their bellies, families that love them. That for those kids, school is not a priority. Paulsen does a really good job showing the reader a glimpse into their lives. 2102 Lone Star”
Glenda H wrote this review Tuesday, July 24, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Three novellas explore how young people can survive the most difficult circumstances through art and the love of dogs.”
Fessenden Library Summer Reading wrote this review Monday, April 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Gary Paulsen writes about the kids no one sees. In the first novella a boy whose entire life depends on not being seen, becomes intrigued by an artist across the alley. In the second, a girl escapes her dreadful family life through caring for and being cared by dogs. In the last, two boys trying to live on their own, find help through caring for dogs in a shelter and drawing. None of the stories is very upbeat, but the feelings are true.”
Marie S wrote this review Tuesday, April 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“These three short stories are great introductions to middle schoolers about how life is really difficult for many people. For some readers, it will be an eye-opener and bring about the realization that "my life is not that bad." For other readers, the stories will offer them hope.”
Armenator wrote this review Sunday, April 1, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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