Pete and Fremont [Paperback]

Jenny Tripp (Author), John Manders (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Purebred and razzle-dazzle pink, Pete the poodle is the biggest star in the Circus Martinez. But when he muffs a couple of flaming-hoop jumps, he gets bumped from the headliner spot. Pete’s just about ready to roll over and play dead when he comes nose to nose with the new attraction, a supersized grizzly bear named Fremont, who was captured from the wild a few nights before. Despite their knee-shaky beginning, Pete and Fremont hit it off. And together they learn that, though it’s no place for rookies or hopeless has-beens, the circus is a breeding ground for first-class camaraderie.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—Pete the pink poodle's jump through a fiery hoop has been the pièce de résistance of the Circus Martinez's show until the night he stumbles and his tail catches on fire. Humiliated and with his confidence shaken, Pete misses the jump entirely in his next performance and is replaced by a younger dog. Relegated to working with the clowns, he spends his spare time sparring with his nemesis, Rita the chimpanzee, and befriending the circus's newest animal—a wild bear that, it turns out, will only talk to Pete. When the ringleader decides to give Fremont to a zoo, Pete and Rita form an unlikely alliance to save him and to get Pete back in the spotlight. Tripp's strength is in the way she keeps the plot moving along while revealing interesting behind-the-scenes details of circus life. Pete and Rita's bickering isn't too far from the playground, and there's a wink of humor in the way Pete views his trainers as "pretty bright, as people go." The bear and the poodle go on parallel journeys as Fremont chooses to make the best of a bad situation and Pete chooses to overlook his own interests to be a good friend. Manders's busy, freewheeling illustrations add an appropriate and enticing touch to this entertaining chapter book.—Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Pete is an aging poodle performer in a small-time circus. After getting his tail scorched while jumping through a hoop, he is demoted to a part in the clown act. Hoping to return to star billing, Pete tries to persuade the circus' recently acquired grizzly bear, Fremont, to join him in a new act. Fremont isn't interested, though; he wants to return to his familiar mountains and forests. Finally, however, the bear relents; catapults Pete into the center ring; and joins him in a juggling act. At the story's end, Pete pays Fremont back for his many kindnesses by helping him escape to a national park. Pete is an entertaining narrator who has all the bravado of a show-biz veteran. Young readers will enjoy this story of a circus in which the animals, unbeknownst to their human managers, actually run the show. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 1 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152062386
• ISBN-13: 978-0152062385
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, good-natured tale of friendship with lots of breezy humor plus hilarious illustrations, June 5, 2007

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pete and Fremont (Hardcover)

Pierre Le Chien, commonly known as Pete, is a pink Royal Standard poodle and an all-circus performer. Living for his part in the small Circus Martinez, he dances on his hind legs on a five-foot rolling ball while twirling a baton in his teeth. And his finale is simply amazing: he leaps off a diving board and dives through a flaming hoop to land in a pool.

But things begin going south for Pete, starting with a messed-up somersault during the show. Suddenly, everyone acts like he's over-the-hill --- and catching his tail on fire during the finale doesn't help his reputation any. Later, Pete hears that the young upstart performer Lolly is practicing his routine and planning to take it over for "Poor Old Pete." Even his friends hint that his star days are behind him.

The circus acquires a new wild animal, "wild" being a new concept for the show since the two big cats are tamer than the average housecat. The newcomer is an enormous, ferocious grizzly bear that terrifies everyone with his aggressive actions. Pete is frightened until he realizes that the bear, whose name is Fremont, is also scared. When he hears that the bear's trainer has two weeks to train the beast before the circus gives him to the zoo, Pete is shocked at how concerned he feels.

Meanwhile, during the next show, Pete totally messes up his finale and --- oh, the horror! --- Lolly jumps in and performs it spectacularly, saving the day but killing Pete's pride. Pete's nightmare is complete when his trainer announces that Lolly will perform in his place from now on. Pete is so upset that he mouths off at Fremont, but the two finally agree to be friends. They need one another because Pete hates his new act, and the trainer is starving Fremont into submission. But can they save each other?

This is an enjoyable, good-natured tale of friendship with lots of breezy humor plus hilarious illustrations. The friends' wild adventures make for a lively pace. Since Pete's central problem is not resolved, I hope there will be at least a sequel if not a series in the near future.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It !!, May 20, 2007

By 

Barbara Badham "book woman" (petaluma, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pete and Fremont (Hardcover)

As a child psychologist, I am always on the lookout for positive books for youth that I can recommend. This one has it all--friendship, teamwork, determination, dreams, etc. I also look for good writing in childrens' books, which can be hard to find. But this writer has done a fantastic job of painting verbal pictures, and the illustrator matches her well. It's a good read, even for adults, so I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read-a-loud book!, April 4, 2009

By 

Lolly "CT Mom" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pete and Fremont (Paperback)

I read this to my son at bedtime. He is in 2nd grade but still loves for us to read to him. After the first night, I was hooked and I told my husband he was not allowed to read it to him when it was his turn to put my son to bed as I wanted follow the story. I can't say enough good about this book! Great story, great characters, no inappropriate content, just pure fun! Can't wait to read the sequel. Recently had the pleasure of meeting the author who conveys her fascination with the circus.

My son has declared this his favorite book (even over all the Star Wars, Horrible Harry and Jigsaw Jones...!). He is now reading it on his own before we read the sequel. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.