A Llama in the Family [Paperback]

Johanna Hurwitz (Author), Mark Graham (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

Believing that the surprise waiting for him will be the mountain bike he has been wanting, Adam is shocked when he arrives home to discover a llama in the backyard and tries to figure out how it will change his life. Reprint. PW. C. SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Adam's mother promises a surprise, he is sure it will be the mountain bike he's been pining for. The arrival of a llama-with the news that Mrs. Fine will start a trekking business from their Vermont home-comes as a bit of a blow. Adam's disappointment is short-lived, however, for Ethan Allen proves an interesting and devoted, if occasionally troublesome, member of the family. Ethan Allen quickly becomes so valued, in fact, that Adam later forgoes his chance to buy a bike in order to acquire a companion llama for his pet. Hurwitz (Make Room for Elisa; Class President) employs a lower-key humor here than in many of her previous books. Combining a fond portrayal of family life, a bucolic rural setting and a finely drawn picture of the unique bond between people and their pets, this is an amusing and moving read. The depiction of the empathy Adam gradually develops for his llama is especially well rendered: convincing and affecting yet never sentimental, it gives the story substance and heart. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4-Another winning story from Hurwitz. Adam Fine is excited when his parents hint that there will be a surprise waiting for him when he gets home from school. He decides it must be the new mountain bike he has been wanting, so he is amazed (and a little disappointed) to find that it's a llama. As Adam and his four-year-old sister get to know the strange creature (dubbed Ethan Allen by their mother), it becomes an important part of the family. Adam, however, still wants a new bike and spends most of his time figuring out how to get one. However, when he finds a valuable braided rug in the attic that he could sell, he trades it in order to get another llama to keep Ethan Allen company and to help his mother's growing business, "Fine Llama Treks" for tourists. Hurwitz has created a believable, likable protagonist. While Adam sees himself as a talented wheeler-dealer and is a typical 10-year-old in many respects, he's also wise and considerate. Satisfying in its depiction of a happy, secure Vermont family, this enjoyable tale would fit nicely into any library.
Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Apple (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590544241
• ISBN-13: 978-0590544245
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,916,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great guided reading book!, December 4, 2002

By 

Pam Morrissey (West Springfield, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Llama in the Family (Paperback)

I am a third grade teacher and this past year one of my guided reading groups read "A Llama in the Family" by Johanna Hurwitz. We had so much fun reading about Adam and his adventures with Ethan Allen. My students were enthralled with the idea of a llama as a family pet. Johanna Hurwitz was skillful weaving so many fun and meaningful experiences into her story. As a post reading assignment my students had to make pamphlets to advertise a llama trek. What made it special to me is that this summer my husband and I found a bed and breakfast, The Applewood Inn in Virginia, that actually offered llama treks. Needless to say, that was the hook that got us to stay there. We didn't eat blueberry soup on our trek, but we learned so much more about llamas. Pick up a copy of the book, it is so much fun to read and there is much to learn about llamas.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a spectacular book!, November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Llama in the Family (Paperback)

Hi I'm a third grader from the U.S and I give a Llama in The Family four stars for its good ideas and suspense. I was on my toes through the whole book. I would recommend this book to a 7 or 8 year old kid because it is challenging but it is not long enough. As you probably know by the title the story is about a llama that somehow joins a family. You will find that the llama makes the family crazy with sprises and excitement.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is ok., November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Llama in the Family (Paperback)

I am a third grader in the United States. I give the Llama in the Family a three star rating. I think it could have a little more information about the book. But I still enjoyed the book. I thought it would be a little better then it was. I liked the part when Adam went to get another Llama. I liked that part the best out of all of the chapters of the book. I think it could have a little bit more plot in the book. But I still enjoyed the book. I think this book is one of the best books I have ever read.