Up Mountain One Time [Library Binding]

Willie Wilson (Author), Karen Bertrand (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

A mongoose on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas undertakes a journey from his birthplace in a village churchyard to his destiny in the bush of the northern mountains to live wild like his ancestors.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of Kipling's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi will be surprised to learn that mongooses also live in the Caribbean. This is the story of Viggo, a young mongoose who lives with his mother in the churchyard of a shantytown. Viggo's mother doesn't come home one night after her daily quest for food, and he knows she is gone for good. So he decides to set off for the bush, where his mother told him all the brave and wild mongooses live. Viggo's journey is cut short when he finds easy food at the town's marketplace. Orville, a dog he befriends, takes him to the fireside of a mysterious woman, who inspires Viggo to continue his quest. Following the road higher into the mountains, Viggo meets complacent domesticated animals but sees how they've all had to compromise their true natures to live with man. At journey's end, a wise old ram directs Viggo to his own kind. This is a parable that is charming without being sugarcoated. The West Indian vernacular adds sparkle to the sober message that it's important to be true to oneself and one's goals. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7 Told in the Caribbean dialect of the Virgin Islands and filled with rich imagery, this is the colorful fable of Viggo, a mongoose who leaves his life in shanty town for life in the promised land of the ``bush.'' It is the story of an endearing and very unlikely animal hero who comes of age as he encounters various temptations along his perilous journey. After his mother does not return from a search for food one night, Viggo determines to find the bush in which a mongoose can bravely hunt as his ancestors did, rather than merely survive by picking through the garbage of man. His friend Clovis, a goat, advises him against being satisfied with life in the town: ``Garbage like ropeis longer but it still got you by the neck.'' Several animals that Viggo meets along the way are afraid to break the ropes of their own captivity and tempt the mongoose to take the easy way out. As he reaches the end of his quest, Viggo learns that the bush is not an Eden, but a ``wild and green and waiting bush,'' full of danger, beauty, and freedom. With its distinctive Caribbean setting, well-developed animal characters, and deceptive simplicity of language, this symbolic journey to maturity and freedom is as much a winner as is the hero Viggo. Yvonne A. Frey, Peoria Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 133 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books (August 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531057259
• ISBN-13: 978-0531057254
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,728,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, December 27, 2000

By 

Shelly K-B (Charlestown, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Up Mountain One Time (Library Binding)

I thought this book was outstanding, and definately deserved five stars! Willie Wilson is the best writer that I have met, and he is very outstanding!! Viggo is quite the charactor, and it seems as if he is a person, except in a mongoose form. Mr. Wilson wrote an excellent book! He was also a great teacher, the best one I ever had! His technique of writing is one that can not be defined with words, and is very worth having! I think anyone who is considering buying this book, should do it! I loved this book, as I am sure you will too. Its great for all ages, and is very realistic.

This review was wriitin by Shelly