Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas

by Gary Paulsen

Overview

Meet Jake who lives in a neighborhood controlled by street violence and fear. He meets a sculptor across the street, and his eyes are opened to another world.  Or Jojo,who's closer to her three dogs than to her foster family. When Jojo tries to help another girl who needs a friend, the dogs know what to do.  Or Jamie, Erik, and Grandpa, who make up an unusual family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780375897436
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	09/13/2011
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
Lexile:	880L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

GARY PAULSEN is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people. His most recent books are Flat Broke, Liar, Liar, Lawn Boy Returns, Woods Runner, Notes from the Dog, Mudshark, Lawn Boy, Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day, The Time Hackers, and The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech). Visit him at GaryPaulsen.com.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 5–9—Inspired by the author's own troubled childhood, these novellas portray an unflinching look at children who have endured neglectful and abusive homes and are surviving on their own. The atmospheric first tale, "Man of the Iron Heads," is narrated by Jake, a boy of about 11, who hides from the local gang until he finds the courage to outsmart its violent leader. "Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Girl" presents a lonely girl with three adopted dogs who finds acceptance in befriending a girl with leukemia. Finally, "Erik's Rules" celebrates the power of art and is told by Jamie, the younger of two homeless brothers, whose unstable existence changes after a chance encounter with a friendly volunteer at the animal shelter. By incorporating the solace found in dogs, art, libraries, and new friends into these tales of heartache and redemption, Paulsen provides his readers with hope of a better life.—Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT

School Library Journal

Paulsen, a frequent Newbery winner, traces a path to redemption through art and dogs. Three unique young people are featured in these gripping novellas. Jake is in thrall to the work of a sculptor he views through a window across from the tenement he lives in. Jamie sketches dogs but is too poor to own one. Jo lives with abusive parents in a trailer and has a small pack of adopted strays as friends. It seems clear that art and dogs have been moving forces in Paulsen's own life, and the skillful narrators pick up on his passion. It's hard not to love one story more than the others, but that will be a small burden for each listener to bear. M.M.C. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2012 - AudioFile