Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas

by Gary Paulsen Narrated by Kevin R. Free, Sarah Grace, Jim Bond, Nick Podehl

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.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal - Audio

Gr 5–8—Gary Paulsen opens these three novellas (Wendy Lamb Books, 2011) with a short piece about his own difficult childhood and how dogs, art, and reading helped him survive. "Man of the Iron Heads" tells the tragic story of Jake, who knows that unless he always keeps moving, he'll be caught by the local drug dealer or his violent, uncaring aunt. He does his best to care for a pregnant friend who is only 14, but finds that in his reality, there's no place for hope, only revenge. "Jojo the Dog-Faced Girl" has a horrible home life made bearable only by adopting a number of stray dogs that lead to her first real friendship. In the third novella, Jamie and his big brother ran away from a drunken mother and her boyfriend who, it is inferred, abused the boy. A volunteer at a dog shelter recognizes Jamie's artistic talent and eventually provides the boys with affordable housing and a great deal of hope. These stories are linked by the artistic endeavors of their main characters and the fact that they all don't feel self pity. Like Paulsen, they do their best under terrible circumstances, become survivors, and eventually thrive. Sarah Grace, Nick Podehl, and Jim Bond are superb narrators, lifting the excellent writing to even greater heights. A must-have.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, Santa Barbara, CA

APRIL 2012 - AudioFile

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

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172473500
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	09/13/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged

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