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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read it, went and bought the deluxe wood cover edition the same day from my local bookstore. This story is sweet and engaging from start to finish. I’m going to read it to my kids next!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Beautiful story! Such a great read. Love love johannes and love the story of his friends.
Cute cute cute. Lovely lovely lovely.
This book made me feel like I was in third grade listening to Ms Vietti read Charlotte's Webb to my class again.
Very reminiscent of the Little Prince, too.
Johannes the free dog is the eyes of his park, and reports back to the three elderly bison about all he's learned from the rambunctious humans, the feisty racoons, and the helpful seagulls... but not the ducks (you can't depend on the ducks for anything).
This book made me feel like I was in third grade listening to Ms Vietti read Charlotte's Webb to my class again.
Very reminiscent of the Little Prince, too.
Johannes the free dog is the eyes of his park, and reports back to the three elderly bison about all he's learned from the rambunctious humans, the feisty racoons, and the helpful seagulls... but not the ducks (you can't depend on the ducks for anything).
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Literally cackled out loud while reading this book (startling the people across my park bench) - the raccoon’s tactical antics to the duck commentary. I also wept at some parts - I could feel the emotion in this book. Loved how the author showed the power of friendships and how our relationships inform the decisions we make. I felt like I went on a deep philosophical journey here.
Eggers writes in such a way that one truly feels connected to Johannes and his friends. You feel like you’re a part of this whole amazing experience. His writing just flows so well and I didn’t ever want to stop reading.
EXCELLENT class read aloud! And as a movie this would be amazing!
Eggers writes in such a way that one truly feels connected to Johannes and his friends. You feel like you’re a part of this whole amazing experience. His writing just flows so well and I didn’t ever want to stop reading.
EXCELLENT class read aloud! And as a movie this would be amazing!
Hands down my book of the year! It's perfect, and I will be thrusting it into the hands of everyone I know.
You may have heard of Dave Eggers (his books for adults are usually very well received) and he has already written for younger readers. Given his stature in the literary world, and the fact that this book was awarded the Newbery Medal in January this year, makes the rather quiet arrival of the book on UK shores so surprising.
But more about the actual book. We have Johannes, a wild dog living in a huge park with many other animals. Johannes’ job as "the Eyes" involves him running all over the island keeping an eye on everything, and reporting back to the three bison (the island's peaceful leaders). Typically, he describes the activities of the humans who use the park for tourism and conservation purposes.
The story has everything. I particularly liked the descriptions of humans with their quirky, predictable behaviours. The way Johannes and his friends affectionately mock the different types of humans is often hilarious, as are the observations that show the animals' naivety about how the world works.
It is Johannes himself though who gives the book it's beating heart. He's as complex a character as I've ever read: proud, confident, vulnerable, lonely.
Like all great books, there are layers, and for those searching for such intellectual questions, the book is a philosopher's delight. The characters regularly discuss the expectations they have of each other and the world and their role in it. Bertrand, Johannes' best friend who happens to be a sea gull, puts it like this: "What else are we supposed to do? Eat pieces of bread and French fries all day? We need some kind of higher purpose"
I'm now very tempted to listen to the audio book (narrated by Ethan Hawk).
You may have heard of Dave Eggers (his books for adults are usually very well received) and he has already written for younger readers. Given his stature in the literary world, and the fact that this book was awarded the Newbery Medal in January this year, makes the rather quiet arrival of the book on UK shores so surprising.
But more about the actual book. We have Johannes, a wild dog living in a huge park with many other animals. Johannes’ job as "the Eyes" involves him running all over the island keeping an eye on everything, and reporting back to the three bison (the island's peaceful leaders). Typically, he describes the activities of the humans who use the park for tourism and conservation purposes.
The story has everything. I particularly liked the descriptions of humans with their quirky, predictable behaviours. The way Johannes and his friends affectionately mock the different types of humans is often hilarious, as are the observations that show the animals' naivety about how the world works.
It is Johannes himself though who gives the book it's beating heart. He's as complex a character as I've ever read: proud, confident, vulnerable, lonely.
Like all great books, there are layers, and for those searching for such intellectual questions, the book is a philosopher's delight. The characters regularly discuss the expectations they have of each other and the world and their role in it. Bertrand, Johannes' best friend who happens to be a sea gull, puts it like this: "What else are we supposed to do? Eat pieces of bread and French fries all day? We need some kind of higher purpose"
I'm now very tempted to listen to the audio book (narrated by Ethan Hawk).