Customer Reviews

Stormy

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, so it's not a classic like Big Red, but who says classics have to be better? This book shows Jim Kjelgaard's talent as a writer and how you can take popular subjects into a book unique and different from every book about dogs out there. As a young child, I was a bookworm, but as I'm getting older, reading books isn't such a joy anymore. I knew I had to have this book though. It striked me as a book everyone needs to read, which it is. I read it in about a week because I couldn't put it down! It's a flawless triumph that gets right down to the bottom of your heart where the emotions rise until youre crying of joy. Once again, Jim Kjelgaard creates a fabulous book everyone is sure to love!

This is a great book for kids and adults. Real life problems dealt with through courage and rational thinking. All the life lessons you will ever need are right here.

Young Alan Marley struggles to survive on his own in harsh northern conditions, and learns lessons about interdependence, loyalty, friendship, and courage from a stray dog who is in a fix just as bad as the boy is. In addition to being a compelling story, the book has interwoven subtext about learning to get along with others, making choices that are most important first, not panicking in truly desparate circumstances, and having the courage to stand for what is right, no matter the cost. There is a love of nature and respect for wildlife that runs throughout as well.

Kjelgaard's gift for bringing the reader into nature artlessly hides the subtext, and makes for a wonderful read for any person over the age of eight. While I have read all of Mr. Kjelgaard's books, Stormy is by far my favorite. Although I first read it more than thirty years ago, I still pull it out every couple of years to enjoy once more, or to read to my own children.

Jim Kjelgarrd writes exciting outdoor adventures for young people. The heroes are always very independent and self-sufficient. Alan and his father ran a hunting lodge until his father was sent to prison for a fight with an obnoxious client. Alan holds down the fort while his father is gone. There is a feud with a clan of nasty neighbors, who have cut off the wildlife runway that brought business to the hunting camp. What Alan has to go through at the hands of his father's enemies is really upsetting. I find the books where the young hero has to fight bears less disturbing than the ones where human enemies try to ruin the heroes life. It's too much like real life! Alan, who has no hunting dog, rescues a great retriever who has been shot. It takes work to win the dog's trust, but like all of Kjelgaard's heroes, Alan proves worthy. Adding to the conflict is that the dog is an outlaw, accused of being rabid and attacking his owner. Then Alan finds himself an outlaw too! Loads of suspense and adventure, and lots of lessons about life. It's not an easy world out there, but by being a straight shooter and stoic, Alan and Stormy tough it out!

"Stormy" is the story of young Allen Marley, who lives in Beaver Flowage. Allen's mother left when he was young, and his father was recently sent to prison for fighting with his neighbors, the Torrances. Allen is thus forced to fend for himself, living alone on his father's property. Fortunately, that property consists of over a thousand acres of wilderness and marshland, and Allen is an expert woodsman. Still, life is hard--and lonely. Then, in the midst of a raging snowstorm, Allen meets Stormy, the dog of his dreams. The rest of the book deals with Allen's efforts to win Stormy's trust, and the various adventures they have dealing with nature and the Torrances.

All in all, "Stormy" is one of Kjelgaard's finest books. He tells a ripping good yarn with surprising economy, condensing deft character sketches, gorgeous desriptions of nature, explaining in absorbing detail the life of a hunter and trapper, and throwing in plot twists and adventures (culminating in a murder!)all in just under 150 pages.

I strongly recommend this book to all who love this genre of literature. Kjelgaard was a master of this type of story, and "Stormy" was the distillation of everything he had learned about his craft.

I really liked this book. I have read Stormy before as a children's book. I love how Jim wrote this book. I have also read three other books that he made. I wanted to read this book because I read most of the other books he made like, Snow Day. Through out the whole book I thought that Stormy was going to die. I didn't know what the theme was at first but then I thought about it and knew what it was.

I thougt Stormy was a great book because the author put in great words and detail. The author could put a picture in your mind.The people in this book were the right people for this book. I thought this because they were funny and smart.I think this book should be a movie.If you have not read this book yet you should read it.It was a wonderful book.

The book Stormy was very good. It was well written. It was good because it had a lot of action. If Allan wasn't in trouble with one thing he was in trouble with something else. In the middle of the book it had the most action.
I like how Jim wrote and described the words of the book. I could picture what was happening when Allan was fightig the pike in the lake. The book told me friendship and never give up. This book is for people who like a lot of action.

I absolutely love this story it was one of my favorites as a child. Re-read it just the other day and was a bit disappointed that there wasn't a sequel.

I thought Stormy was a really great book. The author Jim Kelgaard, has great techniques of writing ability.He explained with great details and adjectives. This is the kind of book that really puts a picture in your mind.Stormy is an adventurous book that touches your heart and lives with you forever.