Three Good Deeds [Paperback]

Vivian Vande Velde (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

If Howard had known the old hag was a witch, he never would have taunted her. But he did, and she did what witches do--cursed him--and now he's a goose! Howard is desperate to become a human again. But the only way to break the curse is to do three good deeds. How can you help others when you've got webbed feet, wings for hands, and can't say anything but "Honk"?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–When Howard tries to steal the eggs that were just laid near Goose Pond, he is caught by the old woman who protects them. She is rumored to be a witch, but Howard has no reason to believe this is true until she turns him into a goose in order to teach him a lesson. The only way in which he can reverse the curse is to perform three good deeds, which is much harder than he first suspects. Vande Velde uses her usual subtle humor to show what it might be like to be a boy stuck in a goose's body. Kids will get a kick out of seeing how Howard goes about getting his deeds accomplished; nothing happens the way he thinks it will. This is a good naughty-boy-makes-good book for reluctant or easy-chapter-book readers. It's clear, uncomplicated, and entertaining, and Vande Velde manages to offer a message without being too pedantic.–Carly B. Wiskoff, Great Neck 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

Gr. 3-5. When a local witch sees the boy Howard stealing eggs from the geese that she tends, she decides that he needs a lesson--and she changes him, fittingly, into a goose. Correctly discerning that Howard rarely thinks of others, the witch refuses to return him to human form until he has done three good deeds. Howard's learning to be a goose is almost a full-time job, and it comes with unexpected, occasionally poignant setbacks, such as when his friends don't recognize him. Of course, Howard fumes, frets, and schemes to get around the curse, but he eventually stumbles into a good deed and feels the pleasure of doing right, if only briefly. Although Howard doesn't change dramatically, by the close of his uncomfortable lesson he has begun to think more about those around him--both the human and the feathered kind. With well-spaced print, plenty of dialogue, a strong dose of humor, and more invention than many books written at this level, this goose tale is a nicely accomplished, entertaining read, with strong potential for reading aloud to younger children. Kathleen Odean
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152054553
• ISBN-13: 978-0152054557
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny and thoughtful story about discovering the person you're supposed to be, November 17, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Three Good Deeds (Hardcover)

Howard is a mischievous boy who, along with his friends, likes to pull pranks on the villagers of Dumphrey's Mill. Their latest victim is the supposed old witch who lives by Goose Pond. They find the elderly lady strange due to the fact that she lives on her own and tends to a flock of geese that live on the pond. They do mean things like tease the geese and steal their eggs. When Howard decides to steal from a nest one day, he is caught red-handed and accidentally breaks a couple of the eggs.

Fed up with the boy's antics, the old witch turns Howard into a goose! Howard understandably panics and tries to call for help, but realizes unfortunately that only the witch and her gaggle of geese can understand him. The witch tells the goose-boy that in order to redeem himself and be turned back, he must accomplish three good deeds. Howard thinks that the situation is silly, but quickly realizes the benefits (and disadvantages) of being a goose. From complimenting one of his new feathered friends to escaping poultry-hungry villagers, Howard discovers the person or goose he's meant to be.

THREE GOOD DEEDS is a funny, thoughtful story with a bittersweet conclusion. Readers may be a bit disappointed at the story's sudden ending, but they will enjoy Howard's quest to find his inner golden goose.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What is a Good Deed?, February 9, 2006

By 

A. Kipp - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Good Deeds (Hardcover)

It was a normal day of pulling pranks with his best friend for Howard, until he finds himself alone at the local pond. Then, when in the middle of a prank, Howard gets turned into a goose by the local witch who wishes to teach him a lesson. He is told the only way to undo the spell is to do three good deeds.

This is the story of Howard's quest to do these three good deeds. He quickly realizes that it's not as easy as it seems in the beginning. True "good deeds" are not done with any expectation attached. They must come from the heart. This book allows young readers to discover with Howard the importance of compassion and sincerity even in those little daily tasks. Through some goose humor readers learn that even the small things count. Readers will stay entertained with pond scene images as Howard tries to make his life on the pond successful, all the while trying to achieve his good deeds. The rather abrupt and unexpected ending will illustrate for readers that even a prank-pulling boy can care for others.

This fun to read book is sure to please many readers. The humor and vivid imagery of life on the pond will keep the pages turning. The important message of helping others, just because it is the right thing to do, shines through without overpowering the book. For a read-aloud, or individual reading material, this book is highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, January 18, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Three Good Deeds (Hardcover)

Howard is your typical nice, yet sometimes not-so-nice young boy. For one thing, he loves to play pranks, especially on defenseless geese and the poor old women who look like witches.

One day he tries to steal goose eggs from an old woman in his town, with disastrous consequences. This old woman, you see, happens to be a real witch who, to teach him a lesson, turns him into a goose. There's only one way for Howard to break the witch's curse and turn back into a boy: he must do three good deeds.

Easier said than done. As Howard tries to think up possible good deeds, he goes into a self-discovering journey without even realizing it, and becomes a much better person for it.

Three Good Deeds is a delight to read. The dialogue is engaging and the visual images transport the reader to the pond with the geese. The devious simplicity of the tale is what makes this book stand out. This is one of those excellent books which can work on two levels: as a light, fun, superficial story, and as a deeper, more complex one with a serious theme.

The author doesn't "spell out" the obvious to the young reader, allowing them to find out why Howard's presumably "good" deeds are not really good deeds at all. The ending is touching and transcends the more common, cute endings in many middle-reader novels published these days. Though actually serious in tone, it serves to both contrast and complement the earlier part of the book beautifully.

Armchair Interviews says: Three Good Deeds is highly recommended for ages 8-12.