Take a photo of a barcode or cover
This book was overall disappointing. Partly because we expected a lot from it. But in the end, the illustrations were the best part. The heartwarming bits were few and far between and heavily outweighed by the umbrella of melancholy.
Who is this book for? It hits too hard with its brutality and destruction of war message to feel right as a kids book. The personal growth angle is definitely in the middle grade novel range, but it's tainted by the depressing war theme. It's not subtle; I felt kind of hit over the head with the author's message. And maybe that is her point, but it doesn't make for enjoyable reading, especially when I thought we were getting a story about a boy and a fox.
Also, the vagueness of "the war" never felt right. Seems a very American setting (baseball, farms, etc) though the timeframe is also deliberately vague. Yet they're fighting this war on American soil in our neighborhoods? Who is the opposing side? Why are they evacuating towns?
Felt like it was a made for TV movie script that didn't translate that well to the page. I just wanted a heartwarming story about a fox. 2 stars. Love Jon Klassen's art.
Who is this book for? It hits too hard with its brutality and destruction of war message to feel right as a kids book. The personal growth angle is definitely in the middle grade novel range, but it's tainted by the depressing war theme. It's not subtle; I felt kind of hit over the head with the author's message. And maybe that is her point, but it doesn't make for enjoyable reading, especially when I thought we were getting a story about a boy and a fox.
Also, the vagueness of "the war" never felt right. Seems a very American setting (baseball, farms, etc) though the timeframe is also deliberately vague. Yet they're fighting this war on American soil in our neighborhoods? Who is the opposing side? Why are they evacuating towns?
Felt like it was a made for TV movie script that didn't translate that well to the page. I just wanted a heartwarming story about a fox. 2 stars. Love Jon Klassen's art.