Rating: 
Summary: Two teens find each other after being humiliated by peers.
Review: As a voracious reader, I am always looking for a book that
will take over my mind, my heart and my soul in one fell
swoop. Imagine my surprise to find a book like this in a
course on Children's Literature. Brock Cole has written nothing less than a masterpiece.
His book, The Goats, begins with two outcast, nerdy campers, a boy and a
girl, who are stripped bare and left on Goat Island by their
mean and nasty fellow campers. When they first find each
other, naked and alone, they seem almost infantile in their
needs. These two couldn't take care of themselves with
clothes on, let alone off. Amazingly though, with the
strength of their pride and humiliation behind them, they vow
to get off the island and teach their fellow campers a lesson. What
ensues is not quite plausible, yet totally believable.
Abandoned not only by their camp mates, but on a much
deeper level by their parents as well, these two goats
manage to survive in the most extraordinary ways. The most exceptional part of Cole's story is not how they
survive physically, but how they survive mentally and emotionally. These two thirteen year olds, on the cusp of sexuality, develop an intensely intimate relationship. Cole
has written something so beautiful, so adult-like, but it is
doubtful that many adults ever really attain this level of intimacy. Literally stripped naked physically, the two characters find shelter and clothes within themseves, in their relationship with each other.
Anyone who wants to be touched in the deepest way, to come
away from a book changed, will find the great satisfaction with Brock Cole's The Goats.
Rating:
Summary: Two teens find each other after being humiliated by peers.
Review: As a voracious reader, I am always looking for a book that will take over my mind, my heart and my soul in one fell swoop. Imagine my surprise to find a book like this in a course on Children's Literature. Brock Cole has written nothing less than a masterpiece. His book, The Goats, begins with two outcast, nerdy campers, a boy and a girl, who are stripped bare and left on Goat Island by their mean and nasty fellow campers. When they first find each other, naked and alone, they seem almost infantile in their needs. These two couldn't take care of themselves with clothes on, let alone off. Amazingly though, with the strength of their pride and humiliation behind them, they vow to get off the island and teach their fellow campers a lesson. What ensues is not quite plausible, yet totally believable. Abandoned not only by their camp mates, but on a much deeper level by their parents as well, these two goats manage to survive in the most extraordinary ways. The most exceptional part of Cole's story is not how they survive physically, but how they survive mentally and emotionally. These two thirteen year olds, on the cusp of sexuality, develop an intensely intimate relationship. Cole has written something so beautiful, so adult-like, but it is doubtful that many adults ever really attain this level of intimacy. Literally stripped naked physically, the two characters find shelter and clothes within themseves, in their relationship with each other. Anyone who wants to be touched in the deepest way, to come away from a book changed, will find the great satisfaction with Brock Cole's The Goats.
Rating: 
Summary: If you like adventure, you will like this book.
Review: Being a twelve year old stranded on an island with no clothes and a person of the opposite sex might seem funny to the other campers, but to Howie and Laura its far from joke. Once left on a island together, these two children decide that the other kids are taking this joke too far, and that they will give them a taste of their own medicine. Escaping the island, and then running away from their camp, Howie and Laura are left with nothing. This forces them to steal, stow away on buses, break into houses/hotel rooms, and at times have to sleep out in the woods. This story is about a friendship that grows as two peope depend on eachother to survive. I enjoyed reading this book. Some of the parts you can tell would never happen. But the author understands what two teenagers would do in this situation. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. In every chapter something new happens that presents a problem to Howie and Laura. If you enjoy adventure, then you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: good reading
Review: I am somewhat appalled that not one review has mentioned the fact that this book contains material which is completely inappropriate for the suggested age level, 9-12 years. The most shocking offense occurs early in the book with a graphic description of a nude girl. Throughout the rest of the story, sexual references appear sporadically - descriptions of panties, a centerfold, an adult movie, etc. Why this author felt these things were necessary for the storyline is beyond me. The general plot of the book was good enough to stand on its own. I am not overly conservative, but give me a break! Do we have to oversexualize our children? By the way, I teach 4th grade and this book, among others, was given to me by a bookseller for classroom use. I would never let my 4th graders be exposed to reading material of this nature! (In my opinion, it may not even be appropriate for middle school.) I shared it with many other teachers and all agreed that it was too explicit. BEWARE!
Rating: 
Summary: Highly inappropriate for young readers
Review: I am somewhat appalled that not one review has mentioned the fact that this book contains material which is completely inappropriate for the suggested age level, 9-12 years. The most shocking offense occurs early in the book with a graphic description of a nude girl. Throughout the rest of the story, sexual references appear sporadically - descriptions of panties, a centerfold, an adult movie, etc. Why this author felt these things were necessary for the storyline is beyond me. The general plot of the book was good enough to stand on its own. I am not overly conservative, but give me a break! Do we have to oversexualize our children? By the way, I teach 4th grade and this book, among others, was given to me by a bookseller for classroom use. I would never let my 4th graders be exposed to reading material of this nature! (In my opinion, it may not even be appropriate for middle school.) I shared it with many other teachers and all agreed that it was too explicit. BEWARE!
Rating:
Summary: a childhood favorite, lost and found again
Review: i read the goats when i was very young and absolutely loved it. i lost my copy (probably lent it to someone untrustworthy) and years passed. i had all but forgotten this gem until i went searching for the top 100 "challenged" (read:censored) books. i am currently studying to be a teacher, and i decided to collect the "challenged" books for young readers to have in my classrooms (because i want my students to grow with open minds and i will not be told that books and the ideas contained within are dangerous). i recognized this title and it was the first i ordered. i was not disappointed. it was just as great as i had remembered, and the only reason i didnt give it 5 stars is because i reserve the 5 star rating for books that strike a chord within my soul or absolutely change the way i percieve life. those books are extremely rare. that being said, 4 stars is still amazing, and if you are considering purchasing this book i would highly reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Coming of Age Story
Review: I read this book when I was 11 years old and I am now 21. I enjoyed every bit so much that I know it word for word. I think the book is excellent for the mature young reader because it captures some issues that most adults would be able to relate to only through metaphors. This promising book includes puberty issues, isolation issues, and issues of social and moral growth. This book is still one of my favorites and I recommend it to any young adult that has ever had to face dilemmas at a very young age. I challenge the young reader to find their similarities and differences between the Bryce (main character) and his companion with themself.
Rating:
Summary: A great story which teaches a lesson!
Review: I use Goats, as one of the choices my sudents have, when we do our "prejudice" unit. Kids are treated unfairly by other kids AND adults and this book show how 2 misfits are tormented and humiliated at a camp. There is humor, sadness, and "revenge" in this story and Brock Cole does a wonderful job getting feelings across to his readers.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written
Review: Laura and Howie are the social misfits at their summer camp. As part of a cruel joke, they are stranded on an island as the "goats." True to tradition, they are left naked, hungry, and painfully alone. Not wanting to give the other campers the satisfaction of finding them helpless on the island in the morning, the two come up with a plan to dissapear off the island. "The Goats" is a story about their journey across the state and their adventures along the way. However, their journey is not a simple one of distance. It it also a journey of growth and an adventure in which they truly realize who they are. "The Goats" is a wonderful and compelling story about the social classes of everyday life. Laura and Howie's journey is an amazing one that should be shared with everyone. The plot was interesting, the characters engaging - overall, an excellent book that is truly impossible to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written
Review: Laura and Howie are the social misfits at their summer camp. As part of a cruel joke, they are stranded on an island as the "goats." True to tradition, they are left naked, hungry, and painfully alone. Not wanting to give the other campers the satisfaction of finding them helpless on the island in the morning, the two come up with a plan to dissapear off the island. "The Goats" is a story about their journey across the state and their adventures along the way. However, their journey is not a simple one of distance. It it also a journey of growth and an adventure in which they truly realize who they are. "The Goats" is a wonderful and compelling story about the social classes of everyday life. Laura and Howie's journey is an amazing one that should be shared with everyone. The plot was interesting, the characters engaging - overall, an excellent book that is truly impossible to put down.
|
