The Worm Whisperer

by Betty Hicks

Other authorsBen Hatke (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 2013

Status

Available

Call number

J4D.Hic

Publication

Roaring Brook Press [First Edition]

Pages

185

Description

Ellison Ellis Coffey, a lonely fifth-grader, discovers he might have the special gift of talking to bugs and decides to use his ability to win his town's annual Woolly Worm Race.

Description

You've heard of Horse Whisperers and Dog Whisperers, but Ellis thinks he might be a Worm Whisperer!
Ellis Coffey loves animals. He spends so much time outdoors that sometimes he thinks he can talk with them. When he discovers a caterpillar that seems to follow his directions, he knows he has a chance to win the annual Woolly Worm race. The prize money is $1,000--exactly the amount of the deductible for his dad's back surgery. If Ellis is right and he can train his woolly worm to be the fastest in the county, he's sure can solve all his family's problems. But when you're trying to talk to insects, nothing is as simple as it seems.
From Betty Hicks, author of the Gym Shorts series for new readers, comes a story of friendship, family, and hidden talents that might be more useful than they first seemed.

Collection

Barcode

5573

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

185 p.; 8.5 inches

ISBN

1596434902 / 9781596434905

Lexile

560L

User reviews

LibraryThing member Mrsmommybooknerd
I won this book through Good Reads First Reads Program! I was so excited too. My kids are getting close to reading chapter books and I want to have a stack ready when the time comes. I want to share my love of reading with my children.

Well, back to the book! I loved it. The story is solid. The
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characters are likable and the pictures throughout add a lot to the story. I cannot wait for both my boys to read this story. It teaches valuable lessons about hard work, family and love. It is everything I look for in this genre. If you have kids, pick up this book and read it together. You will not be disappointed!
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LibraryThing member Dmtcer
What a sweet, feel good story. Ellis is a normal little boy, leading a normal life. Some might consider the circumstances of his life hard, but Ellis does not. He just wants to help his family.
LibraryThing member Jadedog13
Ellis's dad has a herniated disk in his back and has to spend most of his time lying flat. His mom works two jobs, along with making blueberry muffins, pies & jam to sell at the farmer's market. Ellis's dad needs an operation, but it costs $1,000 and they cannot afford it.

Ellis finds a wooly worm
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(caterpillar) and it seems to respond to his words. So, Ellis decides that he is a worm whisperer and plans to enter his worm in the Wooly Worm Race. The prize is $1,000, and if Ellis wins, he will be able to pay the deductible for his dad's surgery.

This is a cute story and moves along quickly. Kids will enjoy reading about Ellis's worm training and the exciting conclusion at the race. Along the way, Ellis deals with school, bullies, friendship issues and figuring out who he is.
(Library copy)

Recommended to:
Readers in grades 3-5 who enjoy realistic fiction stories.
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Rating

½ (10 ratings; 3.6)

Awards

Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Children's — 2016)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2017)

Call number

J4D.Hic
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