Poppy (The Poppy Stories) (Paperback)

by Avi (Author), Brian Floca (Illustrator) "A thin crescent moon, high in the sky, shed faint white light over Dimwood Forest..." (more)
Key Phrases: New House, Sweet Cicely, Gray House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Newbery Honor author Avi (Tom, Babette and Simon, reviewed June 12) turns out another winner with this fanciful tale featuring a cast of woodland creatures. As ruler of Dimwood Forest, Ocax the hoot owl has promised to protect the mice occupying an abandoned farmhouse as long as they ask permission before "moving about." Poppy, a timid dormouse, is a loyal, obedient subject-until she sees Ocax devour her fiance and hears the owl deny her father's request to seek new living quarters. To prove that the intimidating ruler is really a phony, Poppy embarks on a dangerous and eye-opening quest, which ends with her one-on-one battle with Ocax. While the themes about tyranny and heroism are timeless, Avi leavens his treatment with such 20th-century touches as Poppy's jive-talking boyfriend and Poppy's own romantic vision of herself as Ginger Rogers. An engaging blend of romance, suspense and parody, this fantasy is well-nigh irresistible. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 9-11.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5?A fast-paced, allegorical animal story. Mr. Ocax is a great horned owl who rules the mice who live around Dimwood Forest, preying on their fears by promising protection from the dreaded porcupine in exchange for unconditional obedience. Challenging his despotic authority is the smart-talking, earring-sporting golden mouse Ragweed, whose refusal to obey turns him into a meal for the owl. His timid sweetheart Poppy returns home, where she learns that a delegation must go to request permission from Mr. Ocax to relocate half of the mouse family as they have outgrown their present quarters. When he refuses, Poppy, inspired by Ragweed's independent thinking, decides to undertake the scouting journey to the proposed new home anyway, encountering along the way an irreverent porcupine who explains that he and his ilk are no threat to mice. Armed with Ragweed's earring, a quill sword, and the awareness of the owl's deception, she plans to expose Ocax as a cowardly bully. She finds herself in a fierce battle with him, resulting in his death and allowing for the mice's liberation. This exciting story is richly visual, subtly humorous, and skillfully laden with natural-history lessons. The anthropomorphism is believable and the characters are memorable. The underlying messages, to challenge unjust authority and to rely on logic and belief in oneself, are palatably blended with action and suspense. Black-and-white illustrations are in keeping with the changing moods and forest locale. A thoroughly enjoyable book.?Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380727692
• ISBN-13: 978-0380727698
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,756 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars POPPY!, April 3, 2000

By A Customer

You are going to LOVE this book! It all happened when my teacher began to read it and it caught my eye and I started listening. Now I'm hooked! It is beautifully written by Avi. It is about a little mouse who adventures out into Dimwood forest. It held me in suspense. That's why it is a really good book. My favorite character is Poppy because she loves to dance like me! Its great for fourth graders, I know this because I am one! Happy reading!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Avi's entrancing gem of a story, January 1, 2004

By	E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It is rare to find a book in which the talking animals act just exactly as you would expect talking animals TO act. In this book a small mouse sets out on a very believable mouse quest. She wishes to find a larger food source for her family while avoiding being eaten by owls, foxes, etc. The setting and main character are not all that different from, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH". In both cases a small female mouse must fight to save other mice. It's a simple book containing a very good sense of what courage is. There's a lovely section in which Poppy tries to decide whether to carry on her quest or turn back, and her decision to carry on doesn't spring from some fiery belief, but the quiet acknowledgement that it is the right thing to do. The illustrations, by the way, are charming. Poppy is delightfully rendered as a small and charming creature. The map at the front is also very helpful in letting the reader get their bearings. All in all, a great book by Avi.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Review by Third Graders From Spiritridge Elementary, March 2, 2007

By	Sara B. Richardson (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Do you want to read an adventurous, dangerous story that will keep you on your toes? Well, Poppy, by Avi is the the book for you! This story is about a family of mice that live near a forest. The main character is an adventurous mouse named Poppy. She has a BIG job to do! You see, her family is running out of food and Poppy must ask Mr. Ocax (the vicious, ruling owl of the forest) for permission to move. This turns into a harder job than she ever thought it would be. She has many dangerous adventures along the way.

All of us here liked this story because it has lots of adventure! There are some talking animals, dangerous predators, and even some fighting scenes!

This story would be perfect for people that have read other books in this series by Avi. This is only one of many awesome books! We hope you get the chance to check them out!