Customer Reviews

Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my opinion Paulsen writes some great books and some so-so ones. This is one of the great ones for the description it gives of rural life and values and is tremendously evocative of a sense of place and time. I don't know if young people will have the same reaction but I'm going to give it to my eleven year old son and find out.

When Carley is sent to live this his uncle in rural Minnesota after getting into trouble in the big city, the basic outline of the plot is pretty apparent. Through hard work and a little struggle, Carley will learn the value of what he has. The ending takes the book in an odd direction, but the book may still find favor with some young adult audiences.

The first chapters unravel slowly. Carley initially does not take to his life in Minnesota's farm country. In fact, he finds the life frustrating to a point where his uncle questions whether Carley can live with him. But working with a blacksmith who has a drunken epiphany sets the boy in a new direction. As Carley notes on the final page, "... I was tearing things down, and all the time there were people like (uncle) David who made these things, and I was just ripping them apart."

Though a short book, it makes a point with its audience. The young adult audience may be unfamiliar with this plot line, so it can make an impact with some readers. Other readers that have seen this basic story may not be as interested. And though the project undertaken by Uncle David and Carley may seem implausible, at least it is entertaining.

I love almost anything that Gary Paulsen writes, but in my estimation this book is one of the best. I was deeply moved by the little man who accomplished so much for the love of his family. The protagonist is a juvenile, in legal trouble, who is sent to live with his uncle, a blacksmith in rural Minnesota. The boy learns the value of work from his hardworking uncle, but he learns more when the uncle spends his little spare-time to create a carnival for his children because he wasn't able to take them to one.

I have owned this book for a long time but recently bought a second copy to lend to other admirers of Paulsen. I am a librarian in off-road Alaska. This book is so different from his better know and loved survival tales, that I wanted others to see the more tender side of Paulsen.

This book drew me into the story after the first chapter. I found it very easy to read quickly. This is the kind of book I would gladly use for a book report. It is an excellent book for a middle school student.

This "easy read" about a young man stuggling to change his behavior may offer other preadolescents/adolescents a character with whom they can identify. The story line is somewhat trite and not very exciting. However, to a young person searching for some possible reasons for "why s/he does the things s/he does" and coupled with the need for a quick book report may be able to accomplish both with this "one night" read.

Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights is a book about Carley moving to his Uncle's farm. Carley's uncle lives in Norsten, Minnesota, which is a big change from the big city, Minneapolis. He learned to adapt to new lifestyles and found a new hobby that he could spend his time on. Then something happens to David and Carley is the only one who could help.

I think that this is an OK book. It has great descriptions," The grass in the pasture was wet green and heavy with dew, and my feet were soaked in no time at all. But it was warm now, and the wet didn't feel bad." It has a well-written story where you can never predict what is going to happen next and some events that may surprise you.

Sometimes the book can get a little boring. Especially in the beginning, "But it wasn't summer, it was high spring. This came just before low summer, which led to high summer and low fall and then middle fall and first freeze-which led to low winter, and high winter, and so on." Near the end it gets boring again until the last event, which is my favorite.

In the end of the book David and Carley make a great achievement that nobody thought was possible, not even to Carley himself. When David gets disappointed that he doesn't have enough money to send his kids to the circus, he gets an idea. He decides to build a circus. David and Carley build a the circus rides while others joined in to make circus games and food stalls.

The book started off boring then it got more interesting. Carley goes from a bad kid to a respectful hardworking kid. This book is the most interesting book I have read this year I didn't want to put it down. I started the book and didn't put it down until I was down. I think this is a good book or anyone to read. To find out why I gave it a five you'll have to read the book.

The setting of story was Norsten Minnesota in the year 1989. The main characters in the book are a boy name Carley,David and Emily.My favorite character was the boy Carley Silly because he was funny when he fell down.My favorite part was when they ate the popcorn.I recommend this book to people 7 to ten years old because it is an interesting story about a boy who moves to a new city.

I thought the book was pretty good. At first it was boring then it started to get good. I kinda wish it was longer in a way. But it was a really good book. I thought it was so good I think everyone should read it.

The book Popcorn days and buttermilk nights is sorrt of a good book.It is a sort of interesting book. i fell asleep one night when i was reading it. in some places it was interesting but it ran off alot.

sincerely, nikki wiley