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The Tiger Rising
The National Book Award finalist from the best-selling author of Because of Winn-Dixie—now in paperback
Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger—a real-life, very large tiger—pacing back and forth in a cage. What's more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things—like memories, and heartaches, and tigers—can't be locked up forever.
Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger—a real-life, very large tiger—pacing back and forth in a cage. What's more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things—like memories, and heartaches, and tigers—can't be locked up forever.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
119 books10.2k followersKate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,328 reviews
October 27, 2018
At this point, I’m fairly certain there isn’t anything Kate DiCamillo can write that we won’t enjoy. This one wasn’t as good as the others we’ve read so far, but we still enjoyed it. It turned out to be a speedy read at just a smidge over 100 pages.
Rob Horton, a 12-year-old boy, lives with his dad at the Kentucky Star Motel. His mother (Caroline) recently passed away from cancer and he’s dealing with a lot of bottled up emotion from that, plus he deals with a blistering skin condition on his legs and bulling at school. He has unresolved problems with his dad because both of them are still mourning the loss of Caroline. While wondering in the woods behind the motel one day, he discovers a tiger locked up in a cage. Rob is fascinated by the tiger as it seems to have magically appeared.
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Meanwhile, at school, Rob meets the new girl (Sistine) and they begin to develop a beautiful friendship. Sistine has her own problems she’s dealing with and she’s just flat out angry about everything. She’s quite aggressive and outspoken. She encourages Rob to talk about his mom and to deal with his emotions.
“I don’t want to see your stupid tiger!” she shouted. ” I don’t care about it. You don’t know how to talk to people. I told you about my father and my mother and Bridgette, and you didn’t say anything”…”Keep your stupid secrets!” she shouted. ” Keep your stupid tiger, too. I don’t care.”
Surprisingly, Rob eventually finds that it’s not so complicated to open up to her. He shows Sistine the tiger and after she meets the tiger, she has her own opinions on what they should do about it. She want’s Rob to follow through on her plan, but Rob isn’t sure what to do. Will he make the right decision?
The story started off a little boring at first, but then as I read on and more characters came in, along with their individual backgrounds, I simply couldn’t put the book down. I think my favorite character in the book turned out to be Willie May–she was so wise and warmhearted. I enjoyed all the characters though–sympathizing with each one–similar to how I felt reading Because of Winn-Dixie.
With this being a coming of age story that deals with themes of friendship, grief, and loss, I definitely had some tears. I didn’t find the book over-predictable at all and was quite surprised with the end. My two 4th grade children didn’t seem to enjoy this one as much as the others by this author we’ve recently read, but they were still able to hang in throughout. I have no doubt they’ll enjoy reading it again as they get a little older.
This is another one of Kate DiCamillo’s books that’s wonderfully written with strong character development and symbolism. I’m happy to have this one added to our collection.
4****
You can read this review on my blog @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
Rob Horton, a 12-year-old boy, lives with his dad at the Kentucky Star Motel. His mother (Caroline) recently passed away from cancer and he’s dealing with a lot of bottled up emotion from that, plus he deals with a blistering skin condition on his legs and bulling at school. He has unresolved problems with his dad because both of them are still mourning the loss of Caroline. While wondering in the woods behind the motel one day, he discovers a tiger locked up in a cage. Rob is fascinated by the tiger as it seems to have magically appeared.
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Meanwhile, at school, Rob meets the new girl (Sistine) and they begin to develop a beautiful friendship. Sistine has her own problems she’s dealing with and she’s just flat out angry about everything. She’s quite aggressive and outspoken. She encourages Rob to talk about his mom and to deal with his emotions.
“I don’t want to see your stupid tiger!” she shouted. ” I don’t care about it. You don’t know how to talk to people. I told you about my father and my mother and Bridgette, and you didn’t say anything”…”Keep your stupid secrets!” she shouted. ” Keep your stupid tiger, too. I don’t care.”
Surprisingly, Rob eventually finds that it’s not so complicated to open up to her. He shows Sistine the tiger and after she meets the tiger, she has her own opinions on what they should do about it. She want’s Rob to follow through on her plan, but Rob isn’t sure what to do. Will he make the right decision?
The story started off a little boring at first, but then as I read on and more characters came in, along with their individual backgrounds, I simply couldn’t put the book down. I think my favorite character in the book turned out to be Willie May–she was so wise and warmhearted. I enjoyed all the characters though–sympathizing with each one–similar to how I felt reading Because of Winn-Dixie.
With this being a coming of age story that deals with themes of friendship, grief, and loss, I definitely had some tears. I didn’t find the book over-predictable at all and was quite surprised with the end. My two 4th grade children didn’t seem to enjoy this one as much as the others by this author we’ve recently read, but they were still able to hang in throughout. I have no doubt they’ll enjoy reading it again as they get a little older.
This is another one of Kate DiCamillo’s books that’s wonderfully written with strong character development and symbolism. I’m happy to have this one added to our collection.
4****
You can read this review on my blog @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
April 7, 2009
Sometimes when I pick a read-aloud for my students I have one student in mind who I hope it touches. I was surprised by who connected to this short sad story. Beatriz is not my class star. She is not a trouble maker or time-taker either. She loved this book and today as I finished it and we spent sometime reflecting on it she surprised me by being the one student who really got that this story isn't really about a tiger. They key word in the title is actually "rising".
This book is the first really sad book I've read to my class this year, but as I finished I felt an overwhelming appreciation for how important sad endings are to my kids. Many of them have lives shaped already by loss. There were a few days last month when Beatriz wore the same clothes several days in a row and I knew things were not right at home. So for her a book that affirms sadness as normal would be tremendous.
This book is the first really sad book I've read to my class this year, but as I finished I felt an overwhelming appreciation for how important sad endings are to my kids. Many of them have lives shaped already by loss. There were a few days last month when Beatriz wore the same clothes several days in a row and I knew things were not right at home. So for her a book that affirms sadness as normal would be tremendous.
February 17, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
1. I've enjoyed other books by Kate DiCamillo, so I added this one to my WTR list when I found a hard copy at a thrift shop; and,
2. February 2023 is my "Books For Young and Old Alike" Month.
Praises:
1. characterization is the strong element in this story. I had a leaden heart for MC Rob as he tries to process his mother's death and adjust to a new "home" (a motel room) and school while his father's own experiences has Rob keep his emotions "locked up in a suitcase of not-thoughts". Through his connections with others, good or bad, we see Rob grow with acceptance and hope. His new friend, Sistine, comes across as street-smart but impulsive. Many of the adults in Rob's life are unreliable and even irresponsible except for Willy-May, the motel's cleaning lady. She's my favorite character because of her no-nonsense attitude and blunt way of revealing the truth;
2. the setting, being dark and moody, matches the characters and the plot; and,
3. I liked how DiCamillo uses authentic speech and descriptive metaphors.
Overall Thoughts:
A story about loss, denial, honesty, and hope. Quite the thoughtful read!
Recommendation?
More appropriate for upper-elementary and junior high students as it contains some mature themes. It also includes Literature Circle Questions and Activities Keyed to Bloom's Taxonomy.
1. I've enjoyed other books by Kate DiCamillo, so I added this one to my WTR list when I found a hard copy at a thrift shop; and,
2. February 2023 is my "Books For Young and Old Alike" Month.
Praises:
1. characterization is the strong element in this story. I had a leaden heart for MC Rob as he tries to process his mother's death and adjust to a new "home" (a motel room) and school while his father's own experiences has Rob keep his emotions "locked up in a suitcase of not-thoughts". Through his connections with others, good or bad, we see Rob grow with acceptance and hope. His new friend, Sistine, comes across as street-smart but impulsive. Many of the adults in Rob's life are unreliable and even irresponsible except for Willy-May, the motel's cleaning lady. She's my favorite character because of her no-nonsense attitude and blunt way of revealing the truth;
2. the setting, being dark and moody, matches the characters and the plot; and,
3. I liked how DiCamillo uses authentic speech and descriptive metaphors.
Overall Thoughts:
A story about loss, denial, honesty, and hope. Quite the thoughtful read!
Recommendation?
More appropriate for upper-elementary and junior high students as it contains some mature themes. It also includes Literature Circle Questions and Activities Keyed to Bloom's Taxonomy.
May 22, 2021
this author probably gives out prunes to kids on halloween. this is the second of her books i have read, and it's another depressing one. it's true, both of them end on sortof upbeat themes like the redemptive power of love (once you are so broken and disfigured it's almost not even worth it) or the liberating feeling of overcoming grief (after so much death and senseless destruction that no one really cares about your tiny feelings) so yeah - little happy afterthoughts. but they are hardly a balm. the lady can write, that's for sure, and i certainly don't have a problem with gloom, but it seems that every kid's book i read is just grim. i hope skippyjon is cheerier.
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come to my blog! 
August 13, 2019
Rob looked at her small pinched face and her bleeding knuckles and dark eyes, and he felt something inside him open up. It was the same way he felt when he picked up a piece of wood and started working on it, not knowing what it would be and then watching it turn into something he recognized.
He took a breath. He opened his mouth and let the words fall out. “I know where there's a tiger.”
Sistine stood in the drizzly rain and stared at him, her eyes black and fierce.
She didn't say “A real one?”
She didn't say “Are you crazy?”
She didn't say “You're a big old liar.”
She said one word: “Where?”
And Rob knew then that he had picked the right person to tell.
He took a breath. He opened his mouth and let the words fall out. “I know where there's a tiger.”
Sistine stood in the drizzly rain and stared at him, her eyes black and fierce.
She didn't say “A real one?”
She didn't say “Are you crazy?”
She didn't say “You're a big old liar.”
She said one word: “Where?”
And Rob knew then that he had picked the right person to tell.
July 10, 2011
I’ve read several of Kate DiCamillo’s novels, and I use two of them with my students. I was hoping that The Rising Tiger would be one that I could add to my repertoire, but I’m afraid that I really didn’t care for it. I found the characters to be underdeveloped. I know that Rob and his father have suffered through a tragedy, but I didn’t learn much more about them beyond that. As a result, I didn’t really bond with them. I felt the same way about Sistine. She’s a flashy character in the way she dresses and acts, but without more development she comes across as more spoiled than sympathetic. I understand what the tiger was supposed to represent, but it was dealt with so superficially that I think the purpose of its presence would be lost to most ten year olds.
I did like the character of Willie May. She came across as genuine and endearing. I also liked Rob’s suitcase of not-thought about things. I thought that was a powerful metaphor, and it was the only thing I really connected with in the story.
I read this novel with great expectations, but was left wanting in the end. DiCamillo frequently uses tragedy in her stories but generally as a starting off point to begin her characters’ journeys. In this novel, I felt like she relied too heavily on tragedy to be the plot. As a result, her character didn’t develop, and I never really bonded with them.
I did like the character of Willie May. She came across as genuine and endearing. I also liked Rob’s suitcase of not-thought about things. I thought that was a powerful metaphor, and it was the only thing I really connected with in the story.
I read this novel with great expectations, but was left wanting in the end. DiCamillo frequently uses tragedy in her stories but generally as a starting off point to begin her characters’ journeys. In this novel, I felt like she relied too heavily on tragedy to be the plot. As a result, her character didn’t develop, and I never really bonded with them.
August 20, 2019
I first listened to this on audiobook, and somehow I missed most of the greatness. Sometimes it takes a second look or listen. It seemed to be lacking something, but maybe I hadn’t listened closely enough. Anyway, I’m really glad I read the ebook today, so that I didn’t miss out on all of the beauty in this wonderfully told story.
October 26, 2010
Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Jordan B. Nielsen
Recommended for: EVERYONE aged twelve and up, both boys and girls. There are some adult themes, and mild, but poignant violence, which will probably be more affecting to those over twenty than the younger set, who might not feel its full force.
One Word Summary: Radiant
Oh Kate, you’ve done it again. The words ‘Kate DiCamillo’ are becoming more than just a name, but a state of being. If you’re feeling a little ‘Kate DiCamillo’, chances are you’re a bit weepy and nostalgic, wishing to just lie on your bed all day and watch the wind in the trees, contemplating things lost. Her prior work, ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’ became one of my favorite books before I’d even finished it or mopped myself up out of the puddle of my own hysterical tears. So I entered The Tiger Rising with a ready tissue box, the bedroom door closed, and the certainty that my next few days would be spent in a wistful, heart-rendered cloud. I was not disappointed.
On his program Real Time, Bill Maher once condemned a nation who believes Harry Potter to be a great work of literature as a bunch of morons. I won’t get on my soap box right now about the greatness of Harry, but The Tiger Rising is exactly the kind of work that I would point to to as proof that anyone who thinks that books meant for children can never match the intellectual complexity of a work written for adults, completely and utterly wrong.
Set in an overcast and swampy Florida, in that un-nameable book-time of before now and after World War II, The Tiger Rising follows Rob, a sixth grade boy, whose mother has recently died of cancer, now living in a motel with his quietly grief-paralyzed father. Rob is an outcast at school, bullied by thugs, overlooked by adults, and teased for a skin condition that has resulted from his own suppressed grief. His misunderstood rash, however irritating, proves to be his savior as he’s sent home from school indefinitely, for fear of spreading it to his fellow classmates, who are oh-so-deserving of something virulent.
And then, inexplicably, there is a Tiger. In the woods behind the motel Rob finds the cage, the great orange beauty stalking back and forth in its tiny enclosure, alone and breathtakingly out of place. Rob is enthralled, a sense of wonderment and elation brought back to his life that was stuffed down into his “suitcase of not-thoughts” with the loss of his mother. Rob’s only friend, Sistine, a new girl in town, full of outrage and her own personal loss, is brought in on the secret of the Tiger. Sistine wants to free it, Rob can’t bare to see it go.
The story is heavy with metaphor, and if I were forced at gunpoint to name a flaw of the book, I might say the metaphors are occasionally a little too heavy, but I think only cynical, well-read adults would sense that. There are elements and plot turns to this story that are familiar, perhaps even predictable, but the reason why I’m untroubled by this is that the setting, prose, and characters are all so cleanly written and sharply real that the work stands on its own. It’s the DiCamillo style in full force: so frank and pure that you could never call it sentimental, even though it’s rich with sentiment. The very slimness of the book in your hands shouts that what you hold is like a comet in the night, here and then gone, arresting and haunting. So slim that I won’t go further into the plot, as there is not much more to tell without taking away the joy of its discovery. An outstanding read.
For more reviews from The Rusty Key, visit us at www.therustykey.com
Recommended for: EVERYONE aged twelve and up, both boys and girls. There are some adult themes, and mild, but poignant violence, which will probably be more affecting to those over twenty than the younger set, who might not feel its full force.
One Word Summary: Radiant
Oh Kate, you’ve done it again. The words ‘Kate DiCamillo’ are becoming more than just a name, but a state of being. If you’re feeling a little ‘Kate DiCamillo’, chances are you’re a bit weepy and nostalgic, wishing to just lie on your bed all day and watch the wind in the trees, contemplating things lost. Her prior work, ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’ became one of my favorite books before I’d even finished it or mopped myself up out of the puddle of my own hysterical tears. So I entered The Tiger Rising with a ready tissue box, the bedroom door closed, and the certainty that my next few days would be spent in a wistful, heart-rendered cloud. I was not disappointed.
On his program Real Time, Bill Maher once condemned a nation who believes Harry Potter to be a great work of literature as a bunch of morons. I won’t get on my soap box right now about the greatness of Harry, but The Tiger Rising is exactly the kind of work that I would point to to as proof that anyone who thinks that books meant for children can never match the intellectual complexity of a work written for adults, completely and utterly wrong.
Set in an overcast and swampy Florida, in that un-nameable book-time of before now and after World War II, The Tiger Rising follows Rob, a sixth grade boy, whose mother has recently died of cancer, now living in a motel with his quietly grief-paralyzed father. Rob is an outcast at school, bullied by thugs, overlooked by adults, and teased for a skin condition that has resulted from his own suppressed grief. His misunderstood rash, however irritating, proves to be his savior as he’s sent home from school indefinitely, for fear of spreading it to his fellow classmates, who are oh-so-deserving of something virulent.
And then, inexplicably, there is a Tiger. In the woods behind the motel Rob finds the cage, the great orange beauty stalking back and forth in its tiny enclosure, alone and breathtakingly out of place. Rob is enthralled, a sense of wonderment and elation brought back to his life that was stuffed down into his “suitcase of not-thoughts” with the loss of his mother. Rob’s only friend, Sistine, a new girl in town, full of outrage and her own personal loss, is brought in on the secret of the Tiger. Sistine wants to free it, Rob can’t bare to see it go.
The story is heavy with metaphor, and if I were forced at gunpoint to name a flaw of the book, I might say the metaphors are occasionally a little too heavy, but I think only cynical, well-read adults would sense that. There are elements and plot turns to this story that are familiar, perhaps even predictable, but the reason why I’m untroubled by this is that the setting, prose, and characters are all so cleanly written and sharply real that the work stands on its own. It’s the DiCamillo style in full force: so frank and pure that you could never call it sentimental, even though it’s rich with sentiment. The very slimness of the book in your hands shouts that what you hold is like a comet in the night, here and then gone, arresting and haunting. So slim that I won’t go further into the plot, as there is not much more to tell without taking away the joy of its discovery. An outstanding read.
For more reviews from The Rusty Key, visit us at www.therustykey.com
March 31, 2022
A new favorite book from an old favorite writer!
December 31, 2019
I read this book while at camp. It wasn't very exciting, or with much of a climax. Let me give you a plot summary- There is a tiger in town, this girl likes it, and so does this boy. They want to let it out, but the boy's father works for the man who is holding the tiger captive. SO they finally let the tiger go, and guess what, the dad shoots it. He claims a loose tiger would've been dangerous.... The ending leaves you with a "so what" effect, leaving you to wonder what you gained from the book. I didn't gain much, for sure. The moral was confusing, and the poor boy with a dead mom in the story doesn't change much throughout the whole story, which might hae been gratifying in itself. The girl remains a snob the whole book, and well, I'm left with the "so what" thing, because what's the point again?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
Initially, I chose to read this book to fulfill one of the categories for the 2024 Monster Mash Challenge – Bride of Frankenstein Category ◇ Read a book that is set in a state where you live. ◇
✔️《Florida》✔️
But it soon became so much more to me! Another adorable and heartwarming tale written by Kate DiCamillo, the same author of Because of Winn Dixie, had found its way into my hands and into my heart. DiCamillo really knows how to write a spectacular children’s book!
The main character, 11-year-old Rob Horton is bullied and called “disease boy” because he has chronic rashes on his legs that began after a tragic event occurred in his life. Everyone around him assumes it’s contagious and treats him unkindly. The day he discovers a caged tiger living behind his motel where he is staying at with his father, everything changes unbeknownst to him. Around the same time, he also meets a new girl named Sistine Bailey who eventually becomes part of the caged tiger secret.
Sistine is not from Florida and does not like it at all (I can relate, Sistine)! She is tough and fierce—an angry little thing. So, two broken children meet and become friends. What could possibly go wrong? And how will the tiger fare in all of this? Will they end up setting the tiger free or keep him locked away? You should read and find out.
The tiger is very real and oh so gorgeous, but I think it also serves as a symbol of so many things—bravery, strength, courage, and even Rob’s bottled up emotions. His relationship with his father has been strained ever since the tragic event, and he has not been able to properly express his grief.
So, this is a tale about grief/loss, friendship, and expressing feelings. The ending had me balling because it had so much meaning.
There is a supporting character named Willie May that really deserves acknowledgement. I really loved her! She gives a piece of advice to Sistine that is unforgettable:
“Ain’t nobody going to come and rescue you. . . You got to rescue yourself.”
I was so happy to learn they also adapted this book into a film in 2022 starring Queen Latifah as Willie May which was perfect as her performances are always above and beyond. I watched the movie last night and happy to say it was very true to the book. There were exact quotes and scenes straight from the book. I love when that happens!
5/5 shiny stars!
✔️《Florida》✔️
But it soon became so much more to me! Another adorable and heartwarming tale written by Kate DiCamillo, the same author of Because of Winn Dixie, had found its way into my hands and into my heart. DiCamillo really knows how to write a spectacular children’s book!
The main character, 11-year-old Rob Horton is bullied and called “disease boy” because he has chronic rashes on his legs that began after a tragic event occurred in his life. Everyone around him assumes it’s contagious and treats him unkindly. The day he discovers a caged tiger living behind his motel where he is staying at with his father, everything changes unbeknownst to him. Around the same time, he also meets a new girl named Sistine Bailey who eventually becomes part of the caged tiger secret.
Sistine is not from Florida and does not like it at all (I can relate, Sistine)! She is tough and fierce—an angry little thing. So, two broken children meet and become friends. What could possibly go wrong? And how will the tiger fare in all of this? Will they end up setting the tiger free or keep him locked away? You should read and find out.
The tiger is very real and oh so gorgeous, but I think it also serves as a symbol of so many things—bravery, strength, courage, and even Rob’s bottled up emotions. His relationship with his father has been strained ever since the tragic event, and he has not been able to properly express his grief.
So, this is a tale about grief/loss, friendship, and expressing feelings. The ending had me balling because it had so much meaning.
There is a supporting character named Willie May that really deserves acknowledgement. I really loved her! She gives a piece of advice to Sistine that is unforgettable:
“Ain’t nobody going to come and rescue you. . . You got to rescue yourself.”
I was so happy to learn they also adapted this book into a film in 2022 starring Queen Latifah as Willie May which was perfect as her performances are always above and beyond. I watched the movie last night and happy to say it was very true to the book. There were exact quotes and scenes straight from the book. I love when that happens!
5/5 shiny stars!
February 4, 2020
This was a nice surprise. I randomly picked up a DiCamillo book and was entranced by the story. Very short read (took me about 2 hours to get through) and a good one.
Rob lives in Florida with his dad in a nasty little motel after the death of his mom. He is such a sad, talented boy. He meets Sistine on the school bus, a new girl with fierce attitude. She is also very upset about her new move and life. They end up being friends and he finds a tiger in the woods behind the hotel. Sistine wants to set it free but Rob is having doubts. As they debate this their friendship takes a serious turn into understanding the lies and the heartbreak of adults.
I will admit it got an extra star because my eyes got a bit wet at the end. I couldn't help it. It was all of a sudden. I felt Rob's sorrow and and his need to break down. Beautiful book. Plus there's a tiger in it!
Rob lives in Florida with his dad in a nasty little motel after the death of his mom. He is such a sad, talented boy. He meets Sistine on the school bus, a new girl with fierce attitude. She is also very upset about her new move and life. They end up being friends and he finds a tiger in the woods behind the hotel. Sistine wants to set it free but Rob is having doubts. As they debate this their friendship takes a serious turn into understanding the lies and the heartbreak of adults.
I will admit it got an extra star because my eyes got a bit wet at the end. I couldn't help it. It was all of a sudden. I felt Rob's sorrow and and his need to break down. Beautiful book. Plus there's a tiger in it!
May 15, 2019
She is such a talented writer. This is a short story....2 hour audio book.
October 18, 2022
I thought this book was like the people of northern New Jersey: tough, short and complicated. It was a bit depressing throughout, with tinges of hope around the edges. I've read it about ten times as a read-aloud for 4th graders, and it's getting better each time. A lot of different ways to read this, and it's like a non-stinky onion with lots of layers.
*Re-read this book...it gets better each time. There is a lot going on when you look beyond the words!
*Re-read this book...it gets better each time. There is a lot going on when you look beyond the words!
August 27, 2021
It made me sad and left me with so many unanswered questions...why?
July 4, 2017
The Tiger Rising is the story of two very sad and broken children, and how they are saved by a tiger, but not at all in the way you would expect. This story broke my heart. There's something about the way DiCamillo writes that touches my deepest emotions. I don't know if I can explain how or why, but it's as if I feel the stories, instead of reading them. It's some strange retro-childhood cathartic experience that makes me want to cry myself clean, as if my child-tears could wash away all the stains of jaded adulthood.
February 17, 2023
Rob and his father are trying to recover from the death of Rob's mother. For now they're living in a rundown motel while his father works maintenance around the property. Rob is often bullied and picked on at school. He packs all of the bad stuff away in a suitcase that he never opens in his head.
But then Sistine moves in. Sistine is everything Rob is not. She's brash and outspoken. She's going through her own pain of her parents' separation.
Rob shares one secret with Sistine - he knows where a tiger is. A tiger kept in a cage. Sistine insists they set the tiger free, but is that the right choice?
I like Kate DiCamillo and think she's a great author. This wasn't my favorite, but it was still good. It's very short so we didn't have time to go as deeply with the story as we do in some of her other works. Rob and Sistine were also not my favorite characters. At the end
The narrator, Dylan Baker, did a good job on the audiobook.
But then Sistine moves in. Sistine is everything Rob is not. She's brash and outspoken. She's going through her own pain of her parents' separation.
Rob shares one secret with Sistine - he knows where a tiger is. A tiger kept in a cage. Sistine insists they set the tiger free, but is that the right choice?
I like Kate DiCamillo and think she's a great author. This wasn't my favorite, but it was still good. It's very short so we didn't have time to go as deeply with the story as we do in some of her other works. Rob and Sistine were also not my favorite characters. At the end
The narrator, Dylan Baker, did a good job on the audiobook.
October 19, 2018
This was hard to put down. It's a very poignant story with raw and complex emotions dealing with intense grief and anger. I am a big fan of Kate DiCamillo's books. She has a way with words and symbolisms that makes a story beautiful to me. Although this was a gripping middle grade read with a beautiful, redeeming plot, I would give caution to some. It's not a book that will be loved by all, but it is a book that I feel many readers will find hope and peace in their own lives, once they turn the last page.
Content:
Adults Smoking cigarettes, bullying, mentions of father having an affair with his secretary and her mother leaving him when she found out. Six blasphemies, one mild cuss word.
Content:
Adults Smoking cigarettes, bullying, mentions of father having an affair with his secretary and her mother leaving him when she found out. Six blasphemies, one mild cuss word.
July 4, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! It was so deep and heartfelt and bittersweet. I definitely recommend to anyone who’s looking for a short read but is not any less deep and beautiful than longer ones.
January 3, 2020
“Sadness,” said Willie May, closing her eyes and nodding her head. “You keep all that sadness down low, in your legs. You not letting it get up to your heart, where it belongs. You got to let that sadness rise on up.”
********************************************************
I wish Kate DiCamillo’s books had existed when I was a child. I read some fun books as a kid but not many that would stick with me throughout my lifetime. Kate DiCamillo would have satisfied the kid version of me who was looking for something a little more in a story. But thank goodness, because of my daughter’s love for the author, I’ve had the chance to experience so many of DiCamillo’s deeply moving stories as an adult.
The Tiger Rising tells the tale of Rob and Sistine, two children with very different backgrounds who both carry their own confusing forms of grief. Through each other, a hotel housekeeper, and a caged tiger, they begin to learn that wild things, like painful emotions, need to be set free.
I enjoyed the story and the wisdom it offered. If I were still a child, I would have likely been fully satisfied. As an adult, I found myself wanting a bit more. There was so much depth but it felt like it all came to a close too quickly. At any rate, I highly recommend this precious book to everyone. It has meaningful takeaways for children and adults alike.
********************************************************
I wish Kate DiCamillo’s books had existed when I was a child. I read some fun books as a kid but not many that would stick with me throughout my lifetime. Kate DiCamillo would have satisfied the kid version of me who was looking for something a little more in a story. But thank goodness, because of my daughter’s love for the author, I’ve had the chance to experience so many of DiCamillo’s deeply moving stories as an adult.
The Tiger Rising tells the tale of Rob and Sistine, two children with very different backgrounds who both carry their own confusing forms of grief. Through each other, a hotel housekeeper, and a caged tiger, they begin to learn that wild things, like painful emotions, need to be set free.
I enjoyed the story and the wisdom it offered. If I were still a child, I would have likely been fully satisfied. As an adult, I found myself wanting a bit more. There was so much depth but it felt like it all came to a close too quickly. At any rate, I highly recommend this precious book to everyone. It has meaningful takeaways for children and adults alike.
May 16, 2022
Umm... Ow??? THANKS FOR THE SUCKER PUNCH TO THE GUT, Kate DiCamillo!
In all seriousness, I picked this up a bit randomly. I've read (and seen the movie adaptations of) this author's "Because of Winn Dixie" and "The Tale of Desperaux" annd seen the movie version of "Flora and Ulysses" *makes note to self to read the book version of that soon* and enjoyed them all. Something I appreciate about her works are the balance between fun, imagination, and serious topics. She trusts children to be able to handle these things and presents them in a way that is healthy and appropriate. This book was the saddest of hers that I've read so far, but still ultimately very beautiful as it deals with the topics of grief and anger and shows why you can't just pack it all away like clothes in a suitcase. While I wasn't necessarily intending to pick up something this emotional right now, she handled it with such taste that I was okay with it. It made me feel sad, but then I felt the healing deeply when the characters healed. I'm giving it 4 stars for being an excellent book, especially for the right audience, it's just not my absolute favorite by this author.
Content Advisory:
Brief, infrequent swear words including d*** and h*** once each.
The Lord's name is used in vain several times, but is also used respectfully as someone thanks God for the safety of two children.
Several instances of bullying, which includes name calling (nothing profane) and some hitting, (nothing extreme, and either not described or barely described when it happens.
Several children have bad attitudes. Sistene in particular expresses open hatred of the south and the people who live there. (She softens by the end, though.)
Mention of a pet bird being shot. Moderate descriptionn of the event, but no blood.
Mention of another animal being shot, and its dead eyes and the wound in its head are briefly described.
As stated in the review, the story revolves around some heavy topics, such grieving the loss of a parent to cancer, and anger over parents splitting due to adultery. (Sistene talks of her father leaving them because he was seeing another woman.) Several scenes are pretty emotionally intense. Please keep in mind your child's maturity level and unique sensitivities when deciding whether this book would be right for them.
In all seriousness, I picked this up a bit randomly. I've read (and seen the movie adaptations of) this author's "Because of Winn Dixie" and "The Tale of Desperaux" annd seen the movie version of "Flora and Ulysses" *makes note to self to read the book version of that soon* and enjoyed them all. Something I appreciate about her works are the balance between fun, imagination, and serious topics. She trusts children to be able to handle these things and presents them in a way that is healthy and appropriate. This book was the saddest of hers that I've read so far, but still ultimately very beautiful as it deals with the topics of grief and anger and shows why you can't just pack it all away like clothes in a suitcase. While I wasn't necessarily intending to pick up something this emotional right now, she handled it with such taste that I was okay with it. It made me feel sad, but then I felt the healing deeply when the characters healed. I'm giving it 4 stars for being an excellent book, especially for the right audience, it's just not my absolute favorite by this author.
Content Advisory:
Brief, infrequent swear words including d*** and h*** once each.
The Lord's name is used in vain several times, but is also used respectfully as someone thanks God for the safety of two children.
Several instances of bullying, which includes name calling (nothing profane) and some hitting, (nothing extreme, and either not described or barely described when it happens.
Several children have bad attitudes. Sistene in particular expresses open hatred of the south and the people who live there. (She softens by the end, though.)
Mention of a pet bird being shot. Moderate descriptionn of the event, but no blood.
Mention of another animal being shot, and its dead eyes and the wound in its head are briefly described.
As stated in the review, the story revolves around some heavy topics, such grieving the loss of a parent to cancer, and anger over parents splitting due to adultery. (Sistene talks of her father leaving them because he was seeing another woman.) Several scenes are pretty emotionally intense. Please keep in mind your child's maturity level and unique sensitivities when deciding whether this book would be right for them.
November 7, 2023
Breathtaking.
Finished it 10 minutes ago. Whoa. Taking a deep breath first.
I cried. I and I laughed. And as a writer, I wondered - how can you squeeze so much deepness, thought, and empathy in such a small work? I want answers! Are people born with that kind of talent, or do they constantly work on improvement?
Rob lost his mother, is bullied at school and has nobody in this world to open up his suitcase of hurtful thoughts to - but he has something nobody else does - he has a tiger. Nobody can take it away from him. And then one day, a girl named Sistine comes into his class, and his life starts to twist and turn into directions he would never have guessed.
A story about loss, and the griefing process, the importance of right people in your life and the way we all carry a suitcase full of pain with us. The question is: what would happenn if we had the courage, to let these things out?
Finished it 10 minutes ago. Whoa. Taking a deep breath first.
I cried. I and I laughed. And as a writer, I wondered - how can you squeeze so much deepness, thought, and empathy in such a small work? I want answers! Are people born with that kind of talent, or do they constantly work on improvement?
Rob lost his mother, is bullied at school and has nobody in this world to open up his suitcase of hurtful thoughts to - but he has something nobody else does - he has a tiger. Nobody can take it away from him. And then one day, a girl named Sistine comes into his class, and his life starts to twist and turn into directions he would never have guessed.
A story about loss, and the griefing process, the importance of right people in your life and the way we all carry a suitcase full of pain with us. The question is: what would happenn if we had the courage, to let these things out?
October 17, 2017
I loved this book. It is a very short read, but in that time I went from anger, sadness, to hope. My 7 year old daughter actually picked this up on the clearance shelf and read it before I did, and she loved it as well, which surprised me because it is sad, and the subject matter heavy, and it isn't about a Tiger (which is what drew her to it originally). I guess sometimes we don't give our young readers enough credit for their ability to empathize and see the beauty in such "real" novels.
A full review is available at http://www.mommasandmimosas.com/2017/...
A full review is available at http://www.mommasandmimosas.com/2017/...
April 15, 2022
If this is an example of children's literature,then I am going to read a lot more of it.It don't believe it's a kids book.Rob,Sistine(the best name for a girl since Capable from George Saunders Persistant Gappers of Frip.She is as strong as Ree Dolly in Winters Bone,or Mattie Ross in True Grit.Rob Horton,his father and Willie May are all protected from the world by a suit of armor.How Kate strips them of their armor is what makes this such a wonderful book.Next up The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane.
January 16, 2021
He took a breath. He opened his mouth and let the words fall out. “I know where there’s a tiger.” Sistine stood in the drizzly rain and stared at him, her eyes black and fierce. She didn’t say “A real one?” She didn’t say “Are you crazy?” She didn’t say “You’re a big old liar.” She said one word: “Where?” And Rob knew then that he had picked the right person to tell.
Rob Horton was the best no-crier in the world. That was due in large part to his way of not-thinking about things: his mother’s death, the bullies at school, or the continual rash on his legs. He kept those feelings, along with his no-wish things, locked up tight in a suitcase. As his father always reminded him, crying, worrying or wishing won’t change a thing. So Rob really wasn’t sure what to think when he found a caged tiger behind the old Beauchamp gas station building one day. He also wasn’t sure what to think about that new girl, Sistine, who showed up to school one day in her pink lacy dress since nobody wears pink lacy dresses to school. Suddenly Rob found himself trying to not-think about a whole lot of thinkable things and he wasn’t sure just how much more that old suitcase of his could hold.
It’s tricky being an adult reading a book targeted for younger readers. I feel it’s important to view these stories from their perspective and through their unique lens. With that in mind, I still found myself disappointed with this book. Kate DiCamillo is by far one of my favorite authors and a brilliant storyteller so I was surprised with feeling shortchanged with The Tiger Rising. Her characters seem shallow and could have been developed more fully. Rob’s father, in particular, could have benefited the most from some kind of backstory. Without understanding his past, he came off as a hot-headed, unfeeling, and violent father who garners little to no sympathy from readers. Also, this story felt forced and rushed—as if DiCamillo is hurrying us across a self-imposed finish line rather than allowing us the opportunity to fully experience the thrill or the energy of the race. The Tiger Rising feels more like a story pitch or outline rather than a fully fleshed out tale of loss and friendship. Although the lessons of realizing the importance of grieving and the power of forgiveness are important, they get buried under the weight of too many loose ends that are left to simply dangle in the wind.
One of the most interesting and grounded characters in the book is Willie May, the housekeeper of the hotel that both Rob and his father live and work. Sistine refers to her as a “prophetess” as Willie May is always providing little nuggets of truth and wisdom. When Willie May saw Rob and Sistine together, she said, “Ain’t that just like God throwing the two of you together?” It is a powerful thing when two seemingly opposite or contrary things find their way to one another and connect. I wish I could have connected with this story, but I feel the best parts of it are still locked away somewhere and is just awaiting the right key to set it free.
Rob Horton was the best no-crier in the world. That was due in large part to his way of not-thinking about things: his mother’s death, the bullies at school, or the continual rash on his legs. He kept those feelings, along with his no-wish things, locked up tight in a suitcase. As his father always reminded him, crying, worrying or wishing won’t change a thing. So Rob really wasn’t sure what to think when he found a caged tiger behind the old Beauchamp gas station building one day. He also wasn’t sure what to think about that new girl, Sistine, who showed up to school one day in her pink lacy dress since nobody wears pink lacy dresses to school. Suddenly Rob found himself trying to not-think about a whole lot of thinkable things and he wasn’t sure just how much more that old suitcase of his could hold.
It’s tricky being an adult reading a book targeted for younger readers. I feel it’s important to view these stories from their perspective and through their unique lens. With that in mind, I still found myself disappointed with this book. Kate DiCamillo is by far one of my favorite authors and a brilliant storyteller so I was surprised with feeling shortchanged with The Tiger Rising. Her characters seem shallow and could have been developed more fully. Rob’s father, in particular, could have benefited the most from some kind of backstory. Without understanding his past, he came off as a hot-headed, unfeeling, and violent father who garners little to no sympathy from readers. Also, this story felt forced and rushed—as if DiCamillo is hurrying us across a self-imposed finish line rather than allowing us the opportunity to fully experience the thrill or the energy of the race. The Tiger Rising feels more like a story pitch or outline rather than a fully fleshed out tale of loss and friendship. Although the lessons of realizing the importance of grieving and the power of forgiveness are important, they get buried under the weight of too many loose ends that are left to simply dangle in the wind.
One of the most interesting and grounded characters in the book is Willie May, the housekeeper of the hotel that both Rob and his father live and work. Sistine refers to her as a “prophetess” as Willie May is always providing little nuggets of truth and wisdom. When Willie May saw Rob and Sistine together, she said, “Ain’t that just like God throwing the two of you together?” It is a powerful thing when two seemingly opposite or contrary things find their way to one another and connect. I wish I could have connected with this story, but I feel the best parts of it are still locked away somewhere and is just awaiting the right key to set it free.
July 23, 2019
Like her earlier work,
Because of Winn-Dixie
, which was awarded a Newbery Honor in 2001, this slim children's novel is set in Florida, and follows the story of a young person coping with an absent mother and a distant father. In The Tiger Rising, Rob Horton, still reeling from the death of his mother, and recently moved to a new town, is confronted with bullying at his new school. His father, also deeply bereaved, has made it very clear that Rob is not to express his grief, not to cry. Then two extraordinary things happen: Rob comes across a caged tiger in the woods near the hotel where he is living, and he meets a feisty new girl, Sistine (named for the chapel), who doesn't believe in reserve. Will Rob free the tiger, as Sistine insists they must... and if he does, what will happen?
A moving book, one which chronicles one boy's journey from silent grief through cathartic rage, and then his entry into gradual healing, The Tiger Rising reminded me (as already noted) of Because of Winn-Dixie . In that other work, the adoption of a stray dog leads to an opening of the relationship between a child and her father. Here, the finding and eventual of a tiger leads to a moment of dramatic confrontation, in which Rob finally expresses himself to his father, opening the floodgates of both of their griefs. Although a brief book, I liked the characterization here. I like that Rob's father is depicted as deeply flawed - he hits Rob (only once that the narrative reveals), and doesn't really know how to take care of him - but also deeply loving. I also liked the character of Willie May, whose humor and humanity come across very well. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about grief, family, and friendship.
A moving book, one which chronicles one boy's journey from silent grief through cathartic rage, and then his entry into gradual healing, The Tiger Rising reminded me (as already noted) of Because of Winn-Dixie . In that other work, the adoption of a stray dog leads to an opening of the relationship between a child and her father. Here, the finding and eventual of a tiger leads to a moment of dramatic confrontation, in which Rob finally expresses himself to his father, opening the floodgates of both of their griefs. Although a brief book, I liked the characterization here. I like that Rob's father is depicted as deeply flawed - he hits Rob (only once that the narrative reveals), and doesn't really know how to take care of him - but also deeply loving. I also liked the character of Willie May, whose humor and humanity come across very well. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about grief, family, and friendship.
January 3, 2017
2.5
Estuvo bien, sin embargo, el libro claramente, desde un principio, busca conmover al lector y tratar de tocar su corazón, no está mal que lo haga, pero la intención es tan clara que resulta forzada. Tiene un inicio rápido y un final precipitado. Creo que la autora se inclina por este tipo de libros, cortos pero con peso, y está bien, solo que no siempre resulta adecuado, como en este caso. Toca un tema fuerte de una manera nerviosa y rápida, lo cual no permite que el lector conecte con la fuerza de la historia, sintiendo que los protagonistas están pero no aportan.
DiCamillo demuestra con La rebelión del tigre lo cansado que puede ser llevar el peso de la perdida con nosotros, nos invita a superar y a aceptar las cosas, para así poder controlar el miedo y la tristeza, en lugar de que la tristeza nos controle. Nos enseña que los peores momentos nos hacen fuertes, pero tenemos que luchar para ganar esa fortaleza.
Estuvo bien, sin embargo, el libro claramente, desde un principio, busca conmover al lector y tratar de tocar su corazón, no está mal que lo haga, pero la intención es tan clara que resulta forzada. Tiene un inicio rápido y un final precipitado. Creo que la autora se inclina por este tipo de libros, cortos pero con peso, y está bien, solo que no siempre resulta adecuado, como en este caso. Toca un tema fuerte de una manera nerviosa y rápida, lo cual no permite que el lector conecte con la fuerza de la historia, sintiendo que los protagonistas están pero no aportan.
DiCamillo demuestra con La rebelión del tigre lo cansado que puede ser llevar el peso de la perdida con nosotros, nos invita a superar y a aceptar las cosas, para así poder controlar el miedo y la tristeza, en lugar de que la tristeza nos controle. Nos enseña que los peores momentos nos hacen fuertes, pero tenemos que luchar para ganar esa fortaleza.
Read
June 21, 2020How do you rate something like this? It's an amazing and excellent story that broke my heart. It's an incredibly well done story and destined to be a classic, but I hate sad stories that make me cry. As the Belcher children learn from reading children's books on Bob's Burgers, children's books never end well for the animals. I happen to prefer more magical unrealistic stories where there is happy riding off into the sunset and no one gets it because they are surrounded by ugly ignorant people. The real world has too much beauty destroyed by said forces of ignorance which seem to have the upper hand these days. While it's an important lesson for children to learn about the real world, stressed out middle aged women have already learned that difficult lesson; either that or they are the problem and are the Beauchamps of the world and the story would be lost on them.
So a brilliant and excellent story which is a wonderful teaching tool, but bad escapism-type reading.
So a brilliant and excellent story which is a wonderful teaching tool, but bad escapism-type reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2016
윈딕시를 읽고 나서 케이트 디카밀로의 책들에 관심이 생겨 연이어 읽고 있습니다.
타이거 라이징은 평범하게 진행되는 듯한 면 속에서도 마음에 남는 대목들이 있어서 favorite으로 꼽게 되었어요..
주인공 롭이 머무는 모텔에서 객실 청소를 하는 아줌마는 롭의 친구 시슬리의 말을 빌자면 마치 예언자인 것 마냥
사람의 내면이나 상황을 꿰뚫어 보고 그로 인해 결과로 나타난 문제 행동이나 증상들을 읽어냅니다.
그리고 서로 절친이 된 롭과 시슬리를 보며 이 둘이 친구로 엮어지게 된 일이 신에 의한 것이 아니겠냐고 지나가듯 이야기합니다.
슬픔에 마음 속 깊이 가둬 놓고 있는 롭과 분노에 갇힌 시슬리가 서로 친구가 됨이 신이 하신 일이라구요...
사람의 만남에는 우연처럼 보이지만 이런 필연이 있는것 같다고 느끼게 되는 순간...
여러 생각들이 머리 속에 떠올랐습니다..
그리고 이미 제게 주신 만남들에 감사하게 되었구요...
살면서 슬픔과 분노를 느끼지 않을 수는 없지만 그런 자신의 아픔 속에서
또다른 아픔을 가지고 사는 상대방을 이해하고 공감하며
더 가까운 관계로 나아가고 서로에게 꼭 필요한 존재가 되어주는 축복을 누리게 되는지도 모른다고 생각하면서요...
너무나 가기 싫었던 곳인 학교로 다시 돌아가며 롭이 시슬리로 인해 새 희망을 떠올리는 부분을 보며
저도 어둠처럼만 보이는 상황 속에도 그로 인해 더 빛나게 되는 희망이 있으리라 기대하게 되었습니다..
타이거 라이징은 평범하게 진행되는 듯한 면 속에서도 마음에 남는 대목들이 있어서 favorite으로 꼽게 되었어요..
주인공 롭이 머무는 모텔에서 객실 청소를 하는 아줌마는 롭의 친구 시슬리의 말을 빌자면 마치 예언자인 것 마냥
사람의 내면이나 상황을 꿰뚫어 보고 그로 인해 결과로 나타난 문제 행동이나 증상들을 읽어냅니다.
그리고 서로 절친이 된 롭과 시슬리를 보며 이 둘이 친구로 엮어지게 된 일이 신에 의한 것이 아니겠냐고 지나가듯 이야기합니다.
슬픔에 마음 속 깊이 가둬 놓고 있는 롭과 분노에 갇힌 시슬리가 서로 친구가 됨이 신이 하신 일이라구요...
사람의 만남에는 우연처럼 보이지만 이런 필연이 있는것 같다고 느끼게 되는 순간...
여러 생각들이 머리 속에 떠올랐습니다..
그리고 이미 제게 주신 만남들에 감사하게 되었구요...
살면서 슬픔과 분노를 느끼지 않을 수는 없지만 그런 자신의 아픔 속에서
또다른 아픔을 가지고 사는 상대방을 이해하고 공감하며
더 가까운 관계로 나아가고 서로에게 꼭 필요한 존재가 되어주는 축복을 누리게 되는지도 모른다고 생각하면서요...
너무나 가기 싫었던 곳인 학교로 다시 돌아가며 롭이 시슬리로 인해 새 희망을 떠올리는 부분을 보며
저도 어둠처럼만 보이는 상황 속에도 그로 인해 더 빛나게 되는 희망이 있으리라 기대하게 되었습니다..
November 21, 2020
I'm sure this book was supposed to be incredibly symbolic and full of deeper meaning, but I couldn't get over the fact that the surface story was so terrible.
*Spoilers*
I mean, the whole book is about a tiger trapped in a cage, the main boy and girl decide to let it free, and then the boy's dad shoots it? What a terrible plot! And then the boy is all like "too bad, but I don't regret my decision to let it free." Come on! Grrrr. I usually like Kate DiCamillo, but this book was a real letdown. The only upside was that it was a short and fast read, so at least it was over quickly.
*Spoilers*
I mean, the whole book is about a tiger trapped in a cage, the main boy and girl decide to let it free, and then the boy's dad shoots it? What a terrible plot! And then the boy is all like "too bad, but I don't regret my decision to let it free." Come on! Grrrr. I usually like Kate DiCamillo, but this book was a real letdown. The only upside was that it was a short and fast read, so at least it was over quickly.
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