Children's Book Review Tuesdays: The Tiger Rising by Kate Dicamillo

Book Title: The Tiger Rising

Author: Kate D. Camillo

Publish Date: July 1, 2002

Genre: Middle Grade

About the Book (from Goodreads):  

The National Book Award finalist from the best-selling author of BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE - now in paperback

Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter 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 feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things - like memories, and heartaches, and tigers - can’t be locked up forever.

Why I Read this Book: I checked out this book from my local library to read during the last Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon.

 

Review

The Tiger Rising is an engaging story about a boy who finds a caged tiger in the woods behind where he lives.  Rob, who is a young lonely boy, finds a friend in a girl who he attends school with, Sistine.


The Tiger Rising was heartbreaking and kept you wondering about what would happen next.  The journey is the best part about this story, so I will not ruin that for you.


Although this story is too intense for younger readers, The Tiger Rising  is sure to keep your teen or pre-teen hooked and eager to read more.

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 10+

Overall Rating: 4/5

Children's Book Review Tuesdays: Rhoda's Rock Hunt

Book Title: Rhoda's Rock Hunt

Author:  Molly Beth Griffin

Illustrator: Jennifer Bell

Publish Date: October 2014

 Why I Read this Book: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from Edelweiss.  This in no way influenced my review.

 

 

 

 

 

Review

I can really relate to this book.  Rhoda is a girl who loves to collect rocks, but finds herself wanting to keep too many of them.  She cannot take all of them home because they are too heavy, so what does she decide to do?  Read this cute book filled with beautifully colorful illustrations and a wonderfully crafted story to find out.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any

Overall Rating: 4/5

Children's Book Review Tuesdays: I Know My Dad Loves Me by Scott A. Williams

Book Title: I Know My Dad Loves Me

Author: Scott A. Williams

Publish Date: October 1, 2004

Genre: Middle Grade

Plot (from Goodreads):  

Ten-year-old Dale yearns for his father's love. Although smaller than the other kids and afraid of getting hurt, Dale tries out for Pee-Wee Football in hopes of winning his father's approval. He makes the team and in his first game catches the winning touchdown, yet Dale still doesn't get what he longs for the most: To hear his father say "I love you." "I Know My Dad Loves Me" explores the desire all boys have to know their fathers love them, and the struggle fathers experience in expressing that love. Through persistent questioning and the emotional toll of his grandfather's death, Dale tries to get his father to say "I love you" before it's too late.

Why I Read this Book: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  This in no way influenced my review.

 

Review

A great first chapter book for children, this book addresses the topic of affection displayed between father and son.  Oftentimes, it is hard for men to express how they feel.  Men are often expected to be strong and not show emotion.  This book, written in the voice of a ten year old child, displays how not showing affection can damage the relationship between parents and children.  It also shows how females, not just men, can be great athletes.

The writing style of this middle grade novel is perfect for children.  The only negative comment I have about this book is that it incorrectly states how to get to heaven; it says that good deeds can gain you entrance to heaven, but the only way to get to Heaven is through admission of sins and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 7-10

Overall Rating: 4/5