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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Sterling is a flat character. All the characters are flat. There is no problem that needs to be resolved for Sterling. Sterling lives in a world in which he wears rose colored glasses, even though it is set in WWI. his father is absent, but sterling is very fond of his father. The ending was abrupt. Sterling started combing several months into a chapter, whereas 2/3 of the book was a month of the year per chapter.
What a cute story! This was a little more difficult that other books I’ve read with my 10 year old. The story is easy enough to follow but it’s the vocabulary that makes it more difficult. High school level words along with names of lots of wildlife and fishing gear and trees, etc. There were many funny parts that made me and my daughter laugh out loud. I feel like middle school boys would like this book, especially if they’re into wilderness/hunting/fishing.
Considering the problem the raccoons are giving us with our garbage and compost bin, I should not have enjoyed this book so much. Rascal the raccoon is described with endearing terms and humorous accounts of his activity all of which I found wonderful as long as I remembered it was not him who was rummaging around in our yard most nights. Sterling North has written, as the subtitle suggests, about his growing up years in a time when boys could be boys. This book is a recounting of one year spent with a pet raccoon and it reminded greatly of the My Side of the Mountain trilogy which I read this same time last year. I hope to find and read North's other books.
Perfect for late-elementary boys. Wisconsin woods, boyhood freedom, and enough reference to WWI to provide some historical context.
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
In terms of writing, long-winded but still very cute. Made me CRY :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Grief, War
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
now living in wisconsin, this was slightly more interesting to me than it was when my dad read it to me as a kid. lots of geography and fishing information that didn’t hook me, but heartfelt and especially touching near the end.
Rascal us a beautiful coming of age story. I questioned how Sterling acquired his pet. As with all literature written in a different time period there are attitudes that should possibly be discussed and examined with young readers. Regardless of how Rascal was brought into the household he teaches Sterling how to love all creatures more deeply. A poignant tale not to be missed.
I’m not a huge fan with how the boy got the raccoon and I also just don’t like raccoons. I think they are gross creatures, so I went in reading with very low expectations. Not my favorite genre to read, but that’s what book club books are for, right? :)
If I had read this book instead of listening, I might have been bored. But...as I didn't this book was beautiful!!! The language flowed with an even, beautiful tempo. North's description of his hometown, and the surrounding forests and streams were appealing enough to make me see the part of Wisconsin he was describing.
The story of the baby raccoon and boy who learn and grow together was touching. I would still recommend this book to children today! It's pace is a little slower, but well worth it!
The story of the baby raccoon and boy who learn and grow together was touching. I would still recommend this book to children today! It's pace is a little slower, but well worth it!
I didn't realize at first that this book was a memoir or that it was written 50 years ago. I do think that this shows that it is a somewhat timeless tale, although it is helped by being a period piece set in the past. It is a cute . Life lacks a plot and so this story doesn't have real conflict. However, I do think it would have been possible to frame the key storyline to suggest the coming problem.