Scan barcode
hnbb's review against another edition
2.0
My son was excited to see me reading this. Unfortunately I couldn't get through it. I am not a big animal person. This just reiterated it to me. The writing style was very vivid and visual, but the story line just wasn't for me. I will stick with her picture books for now.
jennymock's review against another edition
4.0
If you want a good cry, then this is your book. It reminds me of "Where the Red Fern Grows" and at the same time "Charlotte's Web." The villain is incredibly horrendous and absolutely heartless, which we learn is the result of years of abuse by his father. The heroes are advocates of love and compassion in the form of innocent animals and a child.
I'm torn about where to shelve this book. Should it go into the middle school side because they can handle the sensitive nature of this book or should it go into the elementary side because they will empathize the most with the heroes? I may have to put a copy on each side...
I'm torn about where to shelve this book. Should it go into the middle school side because they can handle the sensitive nature of this book or should it go into the elementary side because they will empathize the most with the heroes? I may have to put a copy on each side...
lannthacker's review against another edition
2.0
J APPELT - cats, dogs, shape shifters, animal cruelty
10+
10+
ashley_choo's review against another edition
5.0
The saddest story I’ve ever read in my entire life. It hits the most tender spots and I wanna hug my little kitten and my old dog so hard
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely, lovely book. "Poetic" isn't a good enough word to describe it; "lyrical" just about does it, but I can't find a word to perfectly capture how melodic the writing is. The dog and his cats are sweet but not cloying; they love each other and do all they can to take care of each other.
The book is not just about how cute animals are, nor is it a basic animal adventure tale. It is a tale of love, longing and belonging, created with care, the layers of ingredients added a bit at a time over a long period of simmering until the whole is a thick, warm - well - gumbo (it IS set in the bayous of western Louisiana/eastern Texas - and the setting is just about a whole character of its own, it is such a vital part of the book).
Though the book is not overweening with cuteness, Appelt clearly loves her animals; the kittens and their kitten ways are captured with aplomb and warmth.
Heartily recommended.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/underneath-clean-young-adult-book-review/
The book is not just about how cute animals are, nor is it a basic animal adventure tale. It is a tale of love, longing and belonging, created with care, the layers of ingredients added a bit at a time over a long period of simmering until the whole is a thick, warm - well - gumbo (it IS set in the bayous of western Louisiana/eastern Texas - and the setting is just about a whole character of its own, it is such a vital part of the book).
Though the book is not overweening with cuteness, Appelt clearly loves her animals; the kittens and their kitten ways are captured with aplomb and warmth.
Heartily recommended.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/underneath-clean-young-adult-book-review/
greerreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Had to read this for an adolescent literature class and still really enjoyed it despite it being a children’s book!
cassf's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, poetic and magical. My son read this and recommended it. I liked the three stories and how they were woven together, even if I didn't completely follow the one about the snake at times. They all came together at the end. For those who wondered if kids would like it, mine did. Even though the subjects were tough (abuse, death, abandonment) , I think they were dealt with gently for a kid about 10.