Skylar

By Mary Cuffe-Pérez

Book Overview

When the wild geese migrate over the little pond with its pink flamingos and clipped grass, Skylar and the others watch with envy. They like their pond, but there is something elegant and brave about being a real wild goose. But they've never flown before, and besides, there's never been a reason to go. Then a lost heron wants the pond geese to take him to Lost Pond, and Skylar thinks it's time for this motley crew to spread their wings and try out the great blue yonder. Adventure awaits . . . but, as they'll soon find out, so does great danger. At once charming and funny, full of friendship, hardship, and bravery, this is a beautifully told story about leaving home to experience the world. With delightful black-and-white illustrations, and hints of "Charlotte's Web" and "The Tale of Despereaux," this is a book in the tradition of fine children's literature.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039924543X
• ISBN13: 9780399245435
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 6.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

This book reads like a classic.

"Skylar" is a beautifully told, smart, entertaining gem of a book. Both child and adult readers will fall in love with this bumbling but brave group of pond geese as they struggle to remember just what makes them geese. Best of all, this book shares with the very best works of children's literature an opportunity for young readers to learn and stretch and grow just as the characters do. From new vocabulary words to lessons about nature to poetic imagery, readers are encouraged to "think" their way through the book rather than just follow the story. As the characters expand their own language and understanding of the world, so does the reader. That is an awfully big gift from such a little book, and well worth the read!

Ever wonder about those geese up there?

This is a wonderful and endearing story for the young and young at heart. You will feel like you are aloft with this little flock and also share in their adventure and wonder in all the unexpected challenges on the ground. Loaded with facts, philosophy and humor, this book keeps you charmed to the triumphant end. Don't be surprised if you hear yourself whisper "Skylar?" next time you spot those random geese flying up there in some haphazard formation, honking at one another. If you recognize the leader of the flock, it just might not be your imagination. The lovely black and white drawings provide the perfect mood for the text and goings on in the story. I loved this story. I could not put this book down 'til I was done. Carol Ray

One of the best novels ever written about geese!

"The trouble with geese is that they're always stopping to think things over." These lines are spoken by a one-eyed heron who has enlisted a flock of five out of shape suburban pond geese to help him migrate south. It is from a wonderful new book Skylar by Mary Cuffe-Perez. Skylar is the story of five Canada geese who live an idyllic life as resident geese at a suburban man-made pond. However, these geese are envious of the wild geese that they observe migrating each fall. They have an opportunity to emulate their wild cousins when a lost one-eyed heron arrives at their pond and seeks aid in migrating. Each of the five suburban geese has a unique and interesting personality. Readers will both laugh and cry as they follow the journey of the five Canada geese and the one-eyed heron. Although the book is marketed for young readers, everyone who reads it will love it. With the possible exception of Mel Ellis' extraordinary Wild Goose, Brother Goose this is the best novel ever written about geese. Earl S. Rosenbloom, Ph.D.