Customer Reviews

Riding the Tiger

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

 

 

This unique picture book tackles one of society's most menacing things: the gang. A young boy is approached by a tiger (the gang), and is asked to hop on (join the gang). Once he's riding, the boy is excited and can't believe the tiger has such an interest in HIM, a 10 year old. Then he learns the darker side of being on the tiger, and wants to get off. The tiger does not make it easy, but in the end, the tiger loses a potential member. The bold, striking woodcuts accentuate the text, and deftly portray the scenes the text describes. This book opens up many avenues for discussion with parents, teachers, and (older) children, especially children who are not exposed to gangs on a regular basis.

This book is dark & scary & NOT for little kids. The tiger is bad & gets the new boy in town to sneak away without telling mom & ride through town with him, even when the little boy knows he shouldn't or wants to get away from the tiger. The tiger won't let him off when he sees a boy he wants to play with... eventually he does get off to help an old man - ok, great... BUT. I feel it gives kids ideas about disobeying parents, doing things they don't feel good about doing anyway (hanging out with the cool-scary in-crowd tiger) & ignoring their conscience about what they know is right.
My 4 yr old LOVES tigers & that's why we checked this one out from the library...
it is going straight back.

Maybe a good moral for adults.

A boy and a tiger become friends but the tiger was not respectful to people.I recommend this book for older kids because it helps kids to understand the word respect. this book color has nice color illustrations. I think people will love this book.

Yet another wonderful book by an award winning author. In "Riding the Tiger", author Eve Bunting challenges the social consciousness of both children and adults. This intriging story provides the opportunity for thinking about choices. A book to not only read with children, but an opportunity to talk and share the morals and values of life.

My second-grader was asked to read this book, and write a book report. He seemed very confused by the content, and so I read through it to help. Quite frankly, this book is NOT for 4-8 year olds. In fact, the subtle metaphors would be hard for some high-school students to understand. Don't misunderstand my opinions here, the writing is very clever, but unless the child reading it is very aware of gangs and gang mentality, most of it will go right over their heads. The commentary about the fear the Tiger creates and 'respect' the Tiger earns is subtle and difficult to understand unless 'translated'. The use of symbols, from the growing tiger to the graffiti are well thought out, be nearly impossible for a 2nd Grader to comprehend. And the innuendo that can be seen in the interaction between the tiger and the girl on the playground could be easily considered inappropriate.

In my son's words: "A boy has fun riding a tiger, and everyone is afraid the tiger will eat them. Then in the end, a bum gets scared, so the boy helps him." Not even close to the author's intended message, but from the innocent perspective of a 2nd grader, with no understanding of gangs, cult-leadership, and the use of fear and intimidation to earn "respect", it was right on.

I am actually a bit angered that my son's teacher would ask a 7-year-old to try to understand the deep themes on his own, especially when a background in the "gang world" needs to be in place before ANY of it makes sense.

If I could give this book a lower rating, I would, because I am so angry the the publisher and teachers that have given the book its reviews, are not preparing the audience for what lies ahead.

I use this book during Red Ribbon Week with my 8th graders. Beautiful images and imagery, an allegory that can lead the reader in many directions, but ultimately we discuss choices. Great book for encouraging journal entries.