I Can Hear the Sun

by Patricia Polacco

Book Overview

Fondo's life is sad and lonely until he meets Stephanie Michele. She takes care of the geese who live on the shore of Lake Merritt, and when Fondo shows up there one day, she lets him help. But now... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039922520X
• ISBN13: 9780399225208
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.9" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5

Customer Reviews

Yes, Stephanie is real in all ways.

As an elementary school librarian, I had the pleasure ofintroducing this treasure to many classes the last few years. All ofthe above reviews are valid for me. While discussing how unique each person is, I always get asked about Stephanie. I promised the students I would go to Lake Merrit and look for her, see if she truly exists and if so, if she's still there. Yesterday (5/22/00) was the magic day. She and Ms. Polocco have been close friends for years, and it was right that the author write about the warmth of Stephanie's character. I could not have been welcomed more graciously, and Stephanie, on her own time, will be meeting with the students at my school. I also learned that the other main character, Fondo, is connected with Ms. Polacco's nephew to whom the book is dedicated. If you can take only one fiction (?) book with you on a desert island, each time you reread this, you will have new joy in your heart.

Great book for literature circles

This book is a great book for starting discussions in literature circles. It pairs nicely with other picture books like Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting and Way Home by Libby Hathorn (unfortunately out of print). Paula Fox's chapter book "Monkey Island" also connects nicely.

This is a book that really can reach your heart.

I use this book in my classroom where I work with kids who have ADHD and other learning diabilities. I first discovered this book while searching for another by the same author. My daughter and I sat in the floor and read it. She is a child who has never felt like she fits in. She said that Fondo was like her. When Fondo miraculously finds his place in life I told her that all of us have a place in this world, it just takes some of us longer to find it. The other day I read this book to my class, sharing the same message with them. I noticed a girl crying afterwards. She raised her hand and said, "This book tells me that there is hope for me. I can belong somewhere." Now, there is no way that the kids in my class see her as they did before. They have reached out to her. This book has an important message for us all.

Pure heartwarming magic

Mrs. Polacco's characters alway touch your heart and this one is no exception. Fondo is a small boy in a big world that needs much love and compation. He finds it at the lake with a game keeper, homeless people, and unconditional love in a blind goose. This story shows that the outside is not always what is on the inside. a must for any library.

A moving tribute to individuality.

This book about a lost boy who befriends a blind goose brought tears to my eyes. I believe it can teach those who read it to look beyond the exterior and give all people a chance to be seen, heard and loved. This will be a part of my 8th grade LArts curriculum.