A Winter Journey - Softcover

Updike, David; Andrew Parker, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 023397850X ISBN 13: 9780233978505

Publisher: Scholastic US, 1985

Synopsis

Homer goes out at night into a snowstorm in search of his dog Sophocles and experiences some strange and thrilling adventures.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4 Combining the talents of first-time children's author Updike and the adept skill of veteran artist Parker, A Winter's Journey begins as a typical tale of a boy and his dog, develops into a thrilling adventure and finishes as fantastic fiction reminiscent of Van Allsburg's Garden of Abdul Gasazi (Houghton, 1979). As Homer and Sophocles, his dog, return home from town, the snow begins to fall at such a pace that their footsteps are buried behind them. Before dinner, Sophocles disappears and Homer worries about him until he can sneak out of bed and search for his missing friend. Homer enters a distorted snow-covered world filled with strange sights, unusual sounds and peculiar people. As fear overtakes him, Homer slips while running from a monstrous plow but hears Sophocles telling him to climb on his back. The two soar above the snow, land safely at home and wake up warm and safe in the morning. Updike is a master of words in describing both action and mood, and he is ably complemented by Parker, who is a master of wordless description. A spellbinding tale. Cathy Woodward, Lima City Schools, Ohio

Copyright 1985 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Updike elaborates the familiar dreaming-and-waking motif here, in language that alternately charms and grates. A "few silver coins" are too poetic a payment for an ordinary haircut, but the proper names are enchanting: Homer and his dog Sophocles live in a world peopled by adults like Dr. Pulsavar, where Connally's drugstore has a "neon glow." After a trip to town for a haircutunconvincingly described as an adventure, which gives the story a false startSophocles disappears in a tremendous snowstorm. Late at night, Homer creeps out of bed to look for his dog; he ventures into unknown parts of town and encounters a series of threatening characters. Sophocles arrives to rescue Homer from a snowplow and magically flies home with the boy on his back. Morning finds Sophocles safely asleep at the foot of Homer's bed. Parker's captivating paintings breathe life into a text that creates a child's world a bit too self-consciously.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic US
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 023397850X
• ISBN 13: 9780233978505
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40