Last week I read:
The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo
copyright 2001
Scholastic, Inc.
Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to find a tiger - a real-life, very large tiger - pacing back and forth in a cage.
What's more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feeling as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other and, ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistene prove that some things - like memories, and heartache, and tigers - can't be locked up forever.
Rob had a way of not-thinking about things. He imagined himself as a suitcase that was too full, like the one that he had packed when they left Jacksonville after his mom's funeral. He kept his feelings inside his suitcase. His father told him there wasn't no point in crying - crying wouldn't bring his mother back. But his father never even mentioned his mom's name and Rob didn't like that.
Rob and Sistine let the tiger out of his cage, because they didn't think animals should be caged. His father shoots the tiger and Rob couldn't hold his anger in any longer. He beat his father, he kicked his father and he opened his suitcase and angry words sprang out of his mouth.
After that, Rob and his father were able to talk and not be angry any more.
Favorite quote from book: "I ain't going to cry," Rob said, shutting his eyes, but the tears leaked out of him, anyway.
I enjoyed the book, but I must say that I enjoyed her other book, Because of Winn Dixie much better.
Because of Winn Dixie is a short book, but this one is even shorter. It comes in at only 19,369 words.
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Posted by Janet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.
I loved Because of Winn Dixie and have somehow missed this title. Thanks for resurrecting it and your insightful comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Greg. Give it a try, I think you'll like it.
DeleteI read this aloud with my kids quite a few years ago. It was powerful. Each of Kate's books (she has many) are very different, and different people will love different ones. I think that's what makes her such a special writer.
ReplyDeleteYes, Barbara, she is a very good writer.
DeleteI love it when I find books that I've never heard of before and I especially like the emotional tension that's coming out of this one. (that was a very long sentence. sorry.)
ReplyDeleteI'm adding it to my list. It's about time I discover Kate's writing for myself. :)
~Akoss
Hi Akoss. Kate is a great writer. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteThis one sounds great. My son and I read her brand new one, Flora & Ulysses, this summer and loved it, and I've wanted to get him reading others by her.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer. I'm going to have to find more books written by her and try them out, too.
DeleteI've read all of Kate DiCamillo's books except this one (and her brand new one). I'm totally in love with Because of Winn Dixie. I also love The Magician's Elephant, Tale of Despereaux, The Mercy Watson early chapter books, and the Bink & Gollie books. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was the only one I didn't care for as much. She's a true gem of a writer and so immensely talented.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, I think everyone agrees she is a very good writer. I haven't read her other books, but I don't think any of them will ever top Because of Winn Dixie. Of course, that is just my opinion :o)
DeleteI really loved the book, WINN DIXIE. This sounds like a good book, too. It has a powerful story line. Thanks for sharing the review with us. I sure want to check this book out and read it.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda! Winn Dixie is a winner! Thanks for checking out my post.
DeleteSounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the info and review! Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDelete