Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi [School & Library Binding]

Phyllis Shalant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004

All Bartleby has ever known is life in his plastic bowl. Then his boy chucks him into the big water place. There Bartleby faces challenges both fearful and thrilling. He also meets another discarded pet—Seezer—an alligator whose true home is the Mighty Mississippi, too. Seezer wants Bartleby to help him seek out the great river. But can a small turtle trust a growing alligator? “The most redoubtable animal character down the pike since Avi’s Poppy.”-Booklist

Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library 100 Best Books
Washington Irving Children’s Choice Honor Book
Golden Sower Children’s Choice Book Award nominee

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Bartleby is a red-eared turtle, a pet living in a bowl in a house full of rambunctious brothers. His adventure begins when the youngest boy thoughtlessly throws him into a nearby pond for a swim. He quickly learns which of the other pond dwellers are his friends. The only enigma is the alligator, Seezer, another discarded pet that longs for its natural home, the mighty Mississippi River. "We had many ssscrumptious red-ears near my nest [back home]-" threatens the menacing lizard. Yet, the creature is intrigued when, in order to save himself, Bartleby pretends to know the way to the Mississippi. An unlikely pair, Bartleby and Seezer set out together, and though there are many close calls, the determined little turtle ultimately gets them to a river that leads to their destination. Shalant's novel is a sweet, warm allegory about the pains of growing up. Bartleby struggles with staying away from his humans and feels the pain of heartache when they seem to abandon him. A gentle story with an ethical and likable main character dealing with his own uniqueness.
Judith Everitt, Orchard Hill Elementary School, Skillman, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. Shalant introduces a four-legged hero with the right stuff: a small turtle with outsized funds of courage and resourcefulness. When his five-year-old human tormentor suddenly chucks him into a pond, Bartleby decides to head to the Mississippi, sparked by a glimpse on TV of other red-eared turtles along its shores. Shalant surrounds Bartleby with allies for his journey--Mother Wak the duck; Zip, a peeper who speaks in rhyme; and Seezer, a menacing ex-pet alligator with a yen to get back to his Mississippi home. Armed with a tough shell, a knack for making friends, and a real gift for fast talk, Bartleby survives repeated encounters with predators, meanwhile discovering a new sense of self-worth. Although the story ends with the long journey barely begun, there can be no doubt at all that the animals will make it. Tiny, tough, loyal, and canny, Bartleby is easily the most redoubtable animal character down the pike since Avi's Poppy. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Turtleback Books (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417628162
• ISBN-13: 978-1417628162
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,937,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Even before I could read or write, I was a storyteller. My earliest memory is around the age of two or three, sitting under the kitchen table pretending the chair and table legs were trees, and that I was lost in a forest. I lived in Brooklyn, New York, a place which was magical to many writers, then and now. I was sure there was a witch living in a crumbling house on our block, that I'd meet a ghost in the graveyard of the Old Dutch Church, and that someday the perfect dog would follow me home. We lived in a tiny apartment, but I had the library, the Brooklyn Museum, the Botanical Gardens, and Prospect Park to roam in. Life was always an adventure. I think that's why I write for young readers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bartleby rocks!, November 13, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was funny and had lots of rhymes. The characters were interesting and it was amazing to see a turtle survive when he had been living as a pet and travels with an alligator. The descriptions of the places Bartleby sees is very imaginative . I especially enjoyed the part when he was trying to save the duck eggs and when they hatched they thought Bartleby was a duck also. I was glad that it ended happy but it leaves you wondering about the rest of the journey. Perhaps there can be a sequel here?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi, October 29, 2000

By 

"zechs-merquise" (Hartsdale, Ny USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi (Hardcover)

Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi was a great book. The characters such as Mother Wak and Bartleby were perfect for the mood of the story and were well described. It was exciting from start to finish and is a great story for anyone of any age. The characters ranges from extremly funny (like the peeper Zip who alway speaks in ryhme) to really creapy (like the alagator Seezer), and at times and Bartleby's wit and quick thinking save him or his friends. I loved it! I have read almost all of Phyllis Shalant's books and this one by far is the best. For those who have read the other books by her this one is a must anf for those who are new to the author will love to start with the one. The suspense can almost kill you sometimes and force you to keep on turing page after page. You'll never want to put this book down! Read this book now!!

5.0 out of 5 stars My son absolutely loved this book, November 5, 2009

By 

Carole (Kennesaw, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi (Paperback)

I haven't seen my 4th grader delve into a book with such gusto since he read the Fudge series by Judy Blume. I found this title on a list of humorous books which boys like, and it truly lived up to its reputation.