Poppy and Rye (The Poppy Stories) [Paperback]

Avi (Author), Brian Floca (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: The Poppy Stories

Heartbroken over the death of her fiance, Ragweed, Poppy, a deer mouse, journeys west through the vast Dimwood Forest to bring the sad news to Ragweed's family. But Poppy and her prickly porcupine pal, Ereth, arrive only to discover that beavers have flooded the serene valley where Ragweed lived. Together Poppy and Ragweed's brother Rye brave kidnapping, imprisonment, and a daring rescue to fight the beavers. At the same time, Rye -- who has lived in Ragweed's shadow -- fights to prove himself worthy of Poppy's love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The spirited mouse star from Poppy must now face life after Ragweed (her fiance who was killed by an owl). Poppy and her curmudgeonly porcupine friend Ereth leave Dimwood Forest in search of Ragweed's parents to tell them the sad news so that Poppy can "get on with her life." When they finally reach their destination, they discover it's hardly the "dullsville" that Ragweed had described. In fact, his family has been forced to leave their comfortable nest and move to higher ground: a clan of development-mad beavers are flooding out the residents in their efforts to turn the pastoral backwater into "Canad's Cute Condos." Along the way, Poppy encounters Ragweed's dreamy, poetic brother Rye, and before long the two mice are head over paws in love. When a showdown between the scheming beavers and the reluctantly heroic mice puts Rye in danger, Poppy risks everything to save him. Of course, all's well that ends well in this rollicking tale, which Avi infuses with generous helpings of adventure, romance and humor. He juggles multiple story lines effortlessly, and his characterizations are particularly engaging, from the blustering Caster P. Canad ("Bless my teeth and smooth my tail!"), head of the beaver coterie, to the smart-mouthed Ereth ("Look here, you pickle-tailed fur booger"). This thoroughly enjoyable sequel is sure to please old fans and will likely win some new ones. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6AThis novel tells the story, as promised in the final pages of Poppy (Orchard, 1995), of how the courageous deer mouse met and married her husband Rye. Picking up Poppy's story after her victory over Mr. Ocax the owl, Avi chronicles her quest to find her late fianc?'s family and tell them of his death in Mr. Ocax's claws. The couple meet early in her journey, but their growing love is temporarily thwarted by Rye's imprisonment within the lodge of clich?-spouting, indefatigably eager beavers. He is also hindered by his fears that he can't live up to Poppy's memories of Ragweed, who was Rye's sometimes admired, sometimes despised older brother. Unfortunately, the mouse's conflicting feelings about his brother are never clearly resolved, and Rye remains a less-developed character than Poppy, whose growth from timid to brave is one of the previous book's chief delights. Poppy and Rye also loses steam during a distracting subplot featuring Ereth the porcupine's cranky (and unrequited) love for Poppy, but it will still appeal to fans of the first book.ABeth Wright, Edythe Dyer Community Library, Hampden, ME
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380797178
• ISBN-13: 978-0380797172
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs & Squirrels > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poppy and Rye, September 28, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Poppy and Rye (The Poppy Stories) (Paperback)

Hello my name is LJ Richmond. I liked this book because there's a lot of action and adventure. The book is about a girl mouse who loses her fiance and she wants to find his parents so she can tell them of the bad news. On the way she finds a new friend. He is a porcupine. The book is sometimes funny and sometimes sad. Well thanks for reading my review. See ya.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like Poppy, one of the best books written!, May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Poppy and Rye (The Poppy Stories) (Paperback)

We thought it was one of the best books we've ever read! We enjoyed it thoroughly and recommened it for young readers. We've always loved Ereth's alliteration. ERETH IS THE BEST!!!!!! We all love Poppy's adventurous spirit. We hope you come out with another book just as good, if not better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roamance , Adventure, and a few new twist, March 27, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Poppy and Rye (Dimwood Forest Chronicles) (Paperback)

Poppy has done it again ! Not onley does she save Ragweed's brother ,Rye , from a nasty batch of beavers ,
but she also saves Ragweed's family as well. I'd say this book is for someone who likes animals that's
proabaly why I like it so much.