Reviews

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes

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Another Sonlight read-aloud...Aurora loved the dog. I loved the characters. But I didn't love the tangents and the repetition. I know that the tangents and repetition are literary devices, and I recognized that they were well-used, AND Aurora loved it. But, as a read-aloud, it was tiring.

The book *is* a great introduction to mystery books, as a genre. There were tons of hints and foreshadowing, just at the right level for Aurora to start figuring things out but also to be surprised by the ending.

kylauren1723's review

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4.0

My family has owned a dog throughout most of my life. We had a black lab until I was eleven. Then after she, Lucy, died, we got a yellow/white lab named Allie. Dogs have not only been our pets, but members of our family. Their continual loyalty and love never fails to cheer you up and they help to create a happy atmosphere at home. This book captures that spirit that a dog brings in a humorous and true-to-life way that touches me significantly. Ginger Pye is “purebred, part fox terrier and part collie. There may be a little bull in him too.” He’s also the smartest pup in Cranbury, Connecticut – tracking his master to his school and climbing up the fire escape to deliver his lost pencil. When Ginger is stolen, the children assume it is the mysterious “unsavory character” that wears a yellow hat. Although its plot has potential to be corny, the humor of childhood and fun adventures are endearing. Uncle Bennie, The Unsavory Character, Boombernickles, potential death by bee sting, and the enemy dog are just snippets of the witty and comical writing. I nearly cried when Ginger came home

sqeeker's review

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1.0

My Thoughts:

- Okay, so the Pye boy really wants one of the new puppies from a neighbor's house. He even has his puppy picked out and everything. He has to raise a dollar to buy the puppy, and he finds out another boy wants to buy his particular puppy as well. After doing a chore for a friend, he gets his dog. The family loves the dog, but a mysterious person with a yellow hat keeps spying on them and the dog. Sadly, the puppy gets stolen, and they spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to find out who took the dog.

- Gnome and I were incredibly frustrated and bored with the story and the characters. It was so blatantly obvious who took the dog, but the kids were so wrapped up in some "unsavory" character that they made up that they couldn't figure it out. Gnome and I frequently looked at each other and commented on the stupidity of the characters, even the adults.

- You know that type of old person that likes to go off on random unimportant tangents while telling a story, and the story becomes this long, winding, boring, and kinda useless story? That was this book! The random tangents were SO obnoxious and pointless.

- This makes Newbery Award book number 31 for me. I hope and pray that the next book is better.

julianna_schock's review

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4.0

this was a really sweet, cute book! if you're looking for a fun book about families and dogs, this one's perfect!

karajrapp's review

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3.0

I waffled between 3 and 4 stars. It was a lovely read aloud, but lacked the charm and characters that Estes gave us in her Moffats series.

I almost gave a fourth star for the delight my kids had when they realized that the town of Cranbury is based off of the town next to ours. Several of the events take place near our house, including the chapter on East Rock which is half a mile from our house!

jrsouthwick's review

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4.0

This is definitely a cute quick read. It's one that I'd read aloud to my kids someday. Gotta love a book about a boy and his dog!

anniefox's review

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3.0

I found this in a freebie box at the end of a Friends of the Guerneville Library book sale. As a children's book author, I love reading all levels of kid lit. Ginger Pye was a Newberry Award winner in 1952, so of course, I wanted to see what was considered the "best" 60+ years ago. I enjoyed the story. I especially appreciated how the author, Eleanor Estes, committed herself to the brother and sister protagonists, to their extended family and to the community in which this story (circa 1919 Connecticut) is set. Anyone who has ever longed for a dog, loved a dog, or lost a dog is likely to enjoy the ride here... gentle as it is.