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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
1.0
I found this quite boring, and didn’t care for the writing style. It might work better for kids, but I feel like there are plenty of childrens books that are enjoyable for adults as well. This just was not one of those, for me.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
At the end of the 19th century, Jay Berry Lee lives with his parents and twin sister on a farm in Oklahoma. Money is tight but life is good. Yes, he has farm chores but much of his time is his own, and Jay Berry roams the area with his faithful hound, Rowdy. A railway accident involving a circus train results in a group of monkeys (plus one chimpanzee) escaping into the river bottom near the Lee farm. These are trained circus performers, and the reward motivates Jay Berry to capture the animals so he can finally get the pony and gun he’s longed for.
This was just a delightful boy-and-his dog adventure tale. I loved the relationship between Jay Berry and his grandpa, as well as the way he interacted with his parents and sister. But the real joy in the book is the way he goes about trying to capture the monkeys. Every fail-safe idea he has results in some disaster or another, some with rather hilarious consequences. But he’s determined, and his heart is in the right place.
I could not help but think of my father and my brothers while reading this. When growing up we spent many hours in the woods, exploring, “hunting,” fishing and just observing nature. I loved those long days outdoors (and some nights as well).
This was just a delightful boy-and-his dog adventure tale. I loved the relationship between Jay Berry and his grandpa, as well as the way he interacted with his parents and sister. But the real joy in the book is the way he goes about trying to capture the monkeys. Every fail-safe idea he has results in some disaster or another, some with rather hilarious consequences. But he’s determined, and his heart is in the right place.
I could not help but think of my father and my brothers while reading this. When growing up we spent many hours in the woods, exploring, “hunting,” fishing and just observing nature. I loved those long days outdoors (and some nights as well).
blakelyschmidt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved this book! A beautiful story with so much truth and depth!
emerygirl's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all time favorite books, I decided to re-read it while I was nursing my twins. I loved it as a child, and remember crying at the end. But as a mother of twins, this book took on a whole new meaning. I hope Ike and Ozzy will develop a relationship like Daisy and Jay Berry. I love his book, and it's on my top 10 favorite books for a reason. I can't wait until Ike and Ozzy get old enough for me to read it to them!!!
weejane's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
kamkanga's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one with my 9-year-old as part of our summer book club. It was well written, but just not my style. Still a good book. The only part I had any concerns about for my kiddo was where the kid got drunk, but I ended up being ok with the way they handled it. Very strong voice/ writing style.
kostaparadise's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book as a kid. This is the book that really got me into reading.
madritb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Berry likes to explore the wilderness surrounding his family's farm in the Ozarks. One day, he and his trusty dog Rowdy find monkeys hanging out in the bottoms. When he learns that the monkeys escaped from a traveling circus and the circus is willing to pay top dollar to the person who returns the monkeys, Jay Berry sets his mind to catching those monkeys and buying the pony and .22 he's been dreaming of. If only those monkeys weren't so darned smart!
Funny, touching - Rawls is a master storyteller.
Middle school.
Funny, touching - Rawls is a master storyteller.
Middle school.