Customer Reviews

The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler

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

 

 

Once in a while, a story with a simple but brilliant twist comes along and says, "Now why would you think that?" Such is the case in this story of best friends Tyke Tiler and Danny Price, who wreak havoc wherever they go. Not that they always do it intentionally. Danny, not being the brightest crayon in the box, doesn't always know not to take ten pounds from a teacher's purse. Fortunately, Tyke is always there trying to set things straight.

The whole term is a trial for Tyke who has to, at one time or another, fish a sheep's skeleton from a stream, perform chores around the house, steal a test to make sure Danny passes it, deliver electoral leaflets around town and beat up either slimy Martin Kneeshaw or his henchman Kevin Simms. But the real challenge is ringing the broken school bell that was last rung by an ancestor of Tyke's a long time ago. Climbing the roof without a ladder and pushing the bell without falling off or damaging the school will be the real test of Tyke's daring.

Tyke, of course, is a nickname and the subtle hints all over the book of how horrible the real name is sets the reader up for the surprise.

I remember this book from 6-7th grade in England. I've given it 5 stars from a childs perspective, although I would love to re-read it just for the fun of the memories it has attached to it.We read this in english class in school...but there were MORE Tyke Tyler books, I'm sure of it. Someone please confirm this! I think I remember 3 books...and I always got excited when the teacher presented us with a new one. But weren't the kids the teacher picked to read annoying?! The ones who read so slow you lost track of the story while they stuttered on words such as "supposedly"! The twist in this book is very cool and very clever but kind of ruined it for me. I won't say what the twist is but it is very, very clever on part of the author.I see this is now out of print, which is a shame, but from the point that the year is 1999...children now may not get as much fun out of it because things have changed so much since I was in 7th grade 12 years ago, like the "Cane" for example...which I think is mentioned.Anyway, if you see this book..buy it! If you are a kid buy it, and also if you are in your 30s and are having a crisis buy it too!

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read, and now that I am twenty-odd years old it is still an excellent book. Despite its Britishness it presents a picture of childhood that is universal and realistic, and even as an American I could always understand and empathize with the characters. Gene Kemp has done this in all of her books, by writing from the point of view of children, never speaking down to her audience, and avoiding the tidy conclusions and trite moralizing that one finds in other children's fiction.

Tyke Tiler is our narrator, and tells the story in a haphazard manner filled with slang, bad jokes, great dialogue, and internal thoughts and feelings that give the reader an incredible sense of what it's like to really be a child -- a little confused, not quite a part of the grown-up world, but with a strong personality regardless. Tyke can be a bit bossy, but doesn't hate school, and is a bit of an idol to best friend Danny Price. The pair of them get into a lot of trouble together, trying to collect a sheep's skeleton from a muddy leet, or disposing of a stolen ten pound note. Tyke's family, teachers, and fellow students are all clearly written.

This book would be suitable for children aged 8 to 12. It doesn't have the glamourous appeal of Harry Potter or the like, but it's closer to home and much more real. In Tyke Tiler kids would have a character they can relate to, whose problems and thoughts are the same as theirs. Too bad it's unavailable in America.

Devastatingly accurate and funny picture of primary school life and one child's attempt to beat the system. Tyke's determination to protect dim Danny from his educational fate is the spark that sets the story ablaze - but the 'identity-kick' in the last chapter is the knockout!
Aimed at 8-12 year olds