Title: The Tiger Rising
Author: Kate DiCamillo
ISBN: 0-439-38995-X
Pages: 116 pgs.
Awards: 2001 National Book Award Finalist
Review:
This book is the story of a young boy named Rob Horton. A 6th grader who lives in a motel with his father after his mother dies of cancer. Ever since his mother died, he takes on the quiet approach with everyone. He keeps all his feelings closed inside his “suitcase.” He never opens his suitcase. The bullies at school tease him and threaten him everyday. But he never opens his suitcase. That is until he meets the new girl Sistine. She is different than anyone else going to their Florida elementary school. She is tough, sassy, and speaks he mind. She gets into fights day after day at school and is always wearing frilly girly dresses. She moved to Florida with her mom because her dad cheated on her and they split up. She keeps claiming that she is going to leave that town once her dad comes to get her. Rob finds himself being sent home from school because he has sores on his legs that the principal is afraid might be contagious. Sistine, stops by the hotel after school to drop off his homework, but they develop a friendship out of it. Rob even shows her his whittled collection of figures which she thinks is beautiful. He also shows her the tiger that the hotel owner keeps locked up in the woods. She wants to free it because she does not think it is natural for a wild animal to be caged. The rest of the book is of Rob fighting in his heart and mind whether or not to free the tiger. He eventually does and his dad ends up shooting it to keep him safe.
This book is quite dark and sad, but has many moments of hope and light for the reader and the characters. I was crying at the end and very few books have that effect on me. The characters are all so broken and searching for meaning in their lives, even the young ones. This book gives young readers a chance to identify with characters that have a tough time expressing themselves and are in need of a friend. It provides hope and understanding to those that may be feeling lost. It has powerful messages, but young tweens can relate to some of the experiences that Rob grows through in this book. It is a wonderfully touching book that is sure to leave an imprint on anyone that reads it. Definitely a strongly recommended book for any age.
This book is the story of a young boy named Rob Horton. A 6th grader who lives in a motel with his father after his mother dies of cancer. Ever since his mother died, he takes on the quiet approach with everyone. He keeps all his feelings closed inside his “suitcase.” He never opens his suitcase. The bullies at school tease him and threaten him everyday. But he never opens his suitcase. That is until he meets the new girl Sistine. She is different than anyone else going to their Florida elementary school. She is tough, sassy, and speaks he mind. She gets into fights day after day at school and is always wearing frilly girly dresses. She moved to Florida with her mom because her dad cheated on her and they split up. She keeps claiming that she is going to leave that town once her dad comes to get her. Rob finds himself being sent home from school because he has sores on his legs that the principal is afraid might be contagious. Sistine, stops by the hotel after school to drop off his homework, but they develop a friendship out of it. Rob even shows her his whittled collection of figures which she thinks is beautiful. He also shows her the tiger that the hotel owner keeps locked up in the woods. She wants to free it because she does not think it is natural for a wild animal to be caged. The rest of the book is of Rob fighting in his heart and mind whether or not to free the tiger. He eventually does and his dad ends up shooting it to keep him safe.
This book is quite dark and sad, but has many moments of hope and light for the reader and the characters. I was crying at the end and very few books have that effect on me. The characters are all so broken and searching for meaning in their lives, even the young ones. This book gives young readers a chance to identify with characters that have a tough time expressing themselves and are in need of a friend. It provides hope and understanding to those that may be feeling lost. It has powerful messages, but young tweens can relate to some of the experiences that Rob grows through in this book. It is a wonderfully touching book that is sure to leave an imprint on anyone that reads it. Definitely a strongly recommended book for any age.
I was wondering about this book. I read DiCamillo's "Magician's Elephant" and found it sweet.
ReplyDeleteOh I should read that one too, I am really enjoying DiCamillo's books. This one was great, I highly recommend it!
ReplyDelete