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Rascal

Rascal

List Price: $5.99
Your Price: $5.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful true story for all ages.
Review: I first read this book as a young girl. I was fascinated by any animal stories and this naturally got my attention. I recently reread it aloud to my 8-year old daughter and was enchanted again by the story, but found it was for different reasons. The story relates Sterling's adventures with his pet raccoon, Rascal. There are many comic moments and glimpses into the mind of Sterling's pets that most children will find irresistable, but the background to his story is just as entrancing. It is set at the end of World War I, in the midwest, and is a window in time. North writes of his victory garden, his brother in France, local fairs, building a canoe in the living room, and an extended camping trip into the wilds around Lake Superior. There are many details about life in America at that time that have faded entirely, and would be lost, but for the efforts of such writers. The only criticism I would offer, is that it does end abruptly. I would recommend it for all readers. There is plenty for adults as well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rascal is a terrific book.Absolutly wounderful.
Review: I loved Rascal.I had read it for a book report and it ended up being my favroite book.My mother read it when she was a child and she loved it too.I would recommend this lovely book to animal lovers.I want to be an writer when I grow up. Sterling North has given me a lot of ideas.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Rascal
Review: I read this book in about 3 days, and that was even easy. It was a really good book and I really enjoyed it. But what made it good wasn't the suspense, or drama, like most books. It was the relationship that the boy and his new found best friend, Rascal the raccoon, have throughout the story. A raccoon isn't normally the first animal you'd think of for a nice cuddly pet, but Sterling isn't your normal boy either. He had skunks, woodchucks, a crow named Poe, and several cats, not to mention a half finished 18 foot canoe sitting in the middle of his living room. So Rascal was easily looked at as part of the family. It's really neat how much Sterling loves Rascal, especially when Rascal starts to get into trouble with the neighbors and costs Sterling all of the money he has saved, to finish his canoe, for repair costs. I think that if you read it, you will enjoy it too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perhaps the greatest "animal novel" ever written
Review: I read this book many times as a child, and now I am joyfully discovering it all over again through the eyes of my 8-year-old. Parents, don't let your kids miss this book - and don't miss it yourselves, either. This touching autobiographical story of the author's childhood adventures with his pet raccoon, his numerous other pets, his loving, relaxed widower father and a variety of other characters, would be a pleasure to read even if it were more simply written and directed at a younger audience. But this novel also has beautiful, complex language, wonderful imagery and scientific details of the natural setting, making it a great read for teenagers and adults. (In fact, younger readers will probably need a lot of help with the challenging vocabulary.) There are also numerous poignant (but not overbearing) references to the fact that the "outside world" was engaged in World War I at the time - in stark contrast to the quiet unspoiled paradise of the Great Lakes region where the story takes place. You will finish this book feeling as though you had also experienced Sterling North's childhood, and understanding why your parents or grandparents are nostalgic for the "good old days" of America, i.e. the early part of the 20th century. You will also have a new appreciation for the intelligence of raccoons, which are unfortunately much more likely to be regarded as pests than pets these days.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: I think this is a wonderful story about a boy and his raccon it is one of the books I will love forever!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rascal
Review: I thought that "Rascal" was a very good book. I thought it was funny, but it did have a few sad parts. Sterling had LOTS of pets. I think it would be neat to have that many pets, and to be allowed to make a canoe in your fathers living room. Rascal and Sterling had very funny adventures. I liked the part when Sterling brings Rascal for show and tell, and Rascal bites the school bully. People thought that Rascal had rabies, and the Bully was going to get it. The saddest part was when Sterling let Rascal back into the wild, but it was probably the best thing to do.

M.V.F.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful for "kids" of all ages - to read or be read to.
Review: I use this to extend my reading curriculum with my 5th grade class. It ties in beautifully with one of our reading text themes, as well as research work in Science. All the locations are easy to locate on a map of Wisconsin; the fact that it really happened appeals to the class. The vocabulary is occasionally challenging, but this helps students increase their skills. It rates a 10+ from all my students - every year (6 so far).

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Literary Analysis of Rascal-A good book-sometimes boring
Review: In this adventurous story, Sterling and Rascal make a decision of their life.[The author uses great literary devices and character traits that make the story come alive.] The literary devices he uses makes everything come alive with interest. Using a magic 3, Sterling writes about Rascal,"The raccoon who was clever, fast, and sly" made Sterling name him Rascal. The author also uses imagery. He writes, "As Rascal and Sterling walk through the forest, they seee many scary trees..." His imagery makes the story come alive. Using a simile, he writes, "Rascal is a fast raccoon like a cheetah running for his prey." I think every literary device makes the story cool and keeps my interest. Character traits make all the characters to be remembered in some way. About Rascal, the author writes,"Rascal bites only when you hurt him when you treat him bad. Overall, I think the story was OK! I was in my top 10 list of all the books I have ever read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A beautiful adventure
Review: It could have been anyone, the person who found Rascal. But it was our good fortune that it was Sterling North, a writer-to-be who could give us all the wonderful details of Rascal's magnetic personality. The insight into North's childhood was a delight -- his father's instinctive (or was it neglectful?) way of giving the boy responsibilities. The canoe in the living room, kept there unfinished due to the expenses of reining in the pesky little critter. I sensed the coming of a dark ending. But, no, it was simply perfect. I can't imagine a reader not loving this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rascal is a wonderful book, Sterling North did a great job!
Review: It is an excellent story about the adventures of a boy and his raccoon! I am a not very emotional boy and the book left me touched. I loved this book!


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