Fish - Softcover

Matthews, L.S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440420210 ISBN 13: 9780440420217

Publisher: Yearling, 2006

Synopsis

A compelling novel that touches upon the hardships that refugees face and their resilience in the most dire of situations, “celebrat[ing] the human spirit and inherent kindness” (School Library Journal).
 
    My story starts the day that my parents told me we must leave our adopted home forever. Because of the soldiers and the drought we barely had enough to eat and we could no longer stay to help the people in our village.
   The journey would be hard—to cross the mountains and get to the safety of the border and the people there who could help us. But right before we were leaving, I saw a fish in a small brown puddle and I knew I had to take it with me. Yet when I put the fish in the pot, I never realized what we would have to face. It never occurred to me to leave Fish behind.
    A subtle and sophisticated exploration of life, the strength of humanity, and survival in an unforgiving world, Fish is a story that will teach those who doubt that, when hope is almost extinguished, miracles can happen.

ALA Notable Children's Book Choice
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Winner of the Fidler Award

[STAR] “Matthews allows just enough detail—and heart—to make miracles feel possible.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
 
“An amazing book.”—The Washington Post
 
“Exciting and filled with crises and adventure... it is a story that celebrates the human spirit and inherent kindness.”—School Library Journal
 
“Matthews is a compelling new voice.”—VOYA

About this title

Review:

In L.S. Matthews's inspiring story of altruism and human resilience, a young (presumably British) child of undetermined gender flees with Mum and Dad, a guide, a donkey, and a rescued fish when war comes to the desolate, desperate village where his/her parents are aid workers. Fish tracks the family's harrowing journey to a safe boundary, a trek with dangerous challenges that force the youngster, nicknamed Tiger, to rapidly evolve beyond the "silly little child" Tiger felt he/she was. Readers will find parallels between Tiger protecting the rescued fish; the gentle, intuitive guide looking out for Tiger's family; and the parents risking their safety for the impoverished villagers.

Tiger's first-person narrative is often amusing and genuinely childlike, keeping the episodic story buoyant despite the harsh realities of fleeing on foot through an inhospitable landscape. When Tiger's feet are rubbed raw and bloody from walking, he/she observes, "I was pleased that the damage was so impressive. You know how much something can hurt, but there's nothing to show for it, sometimes." The fact that the specific war-torn country is not named creates several awkward moments ("...we didn't come from the country we were living in now"). Otherwise, Fish, Matthew’s first book, is the riveting survival story and thoughtful coming-of-age tale of the brave, likeable Tiger, who proves to be as tough as his/her name. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

From the Inside Flap:

"My story starts the day that my parents told me we must leave our adopted home forever. Because of the soldiers and the drought we barely had enough to eat and we could no longer stay to help the people in our village.
Right before we were leaving I saw a fish in a small brown puddle and I knew I had to take it with me. The journey would be hard to get across the mountains--to the safety of the border and the people there who could help us." Yet when I put the fish in the pot I never realized what we would have to face. It never occurred to me to leave Fish behind.
A subtle and sophisticated exploration of life, the strength of humanity, and survival in an unforgiving world, "Fish is a story that will teach those who doubt that, when hope is almost extinguished, miracles can happen.

"From the Hardcover edition.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yearling
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0440420210
• ISBN 13: 9780440420217
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192