Status
Available
Call number
Call number
PB Eng
Local notes
PB Eng
Collection
Genres
Publication
HMH Books for Young Readers (2014), Edition: Reprint, 144 pages
Description
In early twentieth-century Cuba, bandits terrorize the countryside as a young farm girl struggles with dyslexia. Based on the life of the author's grandmother.
Awards
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
144 p.; 5.13 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member claireforhan
A quick read, this book is told in verse as many poems that all contribute to the overarching plot line. Fefa has "word blindness" (dyslexia), and in order to overcome this obstacle, her mother gives her a blank book and has Fefa write whatever she wants in it. This book, the "wild book," ends up
This story is based on the author's grandmother's childhood, growing up in Cuba. It is reflective of real events that happened during the Cuban revolution.
Also, a good book for kids who are struggling readers. They will be able to relate to Fefa, and since the story is told in short poems, they can read one poem or many in one sitting, allowing for a self paced story.
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telling the story of her family. Fefa's family lives in Cuba, and there are bandits who steal children for ransom money. When Fefa's family gets a ransom note, it is Fefa that discovers who the bandit is by recognizing his handwriting.This story is based on the author's grandmother's childhood, growing up in Cuba. It is reflective of real events that happened during the Cuban revolution.
Also, a good book for kids who are struggling readers. They will be able to relate to Fefa, and since the story is told in short poems, they can read one poem or many in one sitting, allowing for a self paced story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BornBookish
I just have to express my absolute LOVE of this cover! The illustrations are just so colorful and beautiful. Now for the actual story: this is the third book I’ve read by Margarita Engle and unfortunately none of them have lived up to the first.
The Wild Book is about eleven-year old Fefa, who at
I found it unbelievable how cruel Fefa’s own brothers and sisters treated her, making fun or her reading and writing, calling her ugly. Maybe it’s because I had a great relationship with my sister growing up, but I just couldn’t fathom them being so downright nasty to her.
As always the authors beautiful writing had me jotting down quotes as I went along. Here is my favorite:
“Words seem to float
and drift, changing
their strange shapes,
like storms clouds,
always ready to explode.”
Overall it wasn’t a personal favorite, but I think it serves as a great example for kids of perseverance and never giving up, because while Fefa got frustrated a lot near the beginning, she kept working to overcome her dyslexia.
The Wild Book is about eleven-year old Fefa, who at
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the beginning of the book finds out she has “word-blindness” or what we now know as common day dyslexia. The book is about Fefa’s struggle and how she works to overcome it. It’s set in the Cuban countryside of 1912, and is a work of historical fiction loosely based on stories the author’s grandmother used to tell her.I found it unbelievable how cruel Fefa’s own brothers and sisters treated her, making fun or her reading and writing, calling her ugly. Maybe it’s because I had a great relationship with my sister growing up, but I just couldn’t fathom them being so downright nasty to her.
As always the authors beautiful writing had me jotting down quotes as I went along. Here is my favorite:
“Words seem to float
and drift, changing
their strange shapes,
like storms clouds,
always ready to explode.”
Overall it wasn’t a personal favorite, but I think it serves as a great example for kids of perseverance and never giving up, because while Fefa got frustrated a lot near the beginning, she kept working to overcome her dyslexia.
Show Less
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
Margarita Engle's books are just not my thing. I don't really feel like I get to know characters through the verse format. I think I liked this one a little better than some of her others, but it's just not really my favorite thing to read.
LibraryThing member BethanyKisner
Summary: Fefa is living in Cuba and has been diagnosed with word blindness. She has. Hard time reading and feels like the words crawl like slippery. She is constantly teased for her reading issues. Her mother gave her a book with blank pages to see if that would help her overcome her fear of
Personal Reflection: I loved the way the author used poems to tell the story of her grandmother. She used her grandmothers past that she experienced in Cuba to tell a beautiful but historic event in the Cuban culture.
Extension Projects:
1. Have the students make a blank book and through out the week have them write/draw after reading the book.
2. I would create a large book out of poster boards and have the children help create a pop up book with all the creatures that Fefa imagined as she tried to read. It could be a class project.
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reading and her "disability". Through her "wild book" Fefa is also able to save her family when they are threatened. Personal Reflection: I loved the way the author used poems to tell the story of her grandmother. She used her grandmothers past that she experienced in Cuba to tell a beautiful but historic event in the Cuban culture.
Extension Projects:
1. Have the students make a blank book and through out the week have them write/draw after reading the book.
2. I would create a large book out of poster boards and have the children help create a pop up book with all the creatures that Fefa imagined as she tried to read. It could be a class project.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookbrig
A great look at dyslexia in the early 1900s through the eyes of Fefa, a 10/11 year old Cuban girl. This is the only novel in verse I've ever made it through, possibly because it's a super quick, beautiful read. The language is lovely, and I deeply appreciated the way Fefa feels more powerful as she
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gets better at reading and writing. Plus, the cover is gorgeous. Show Less
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Lexile
1050L
Pages
144