Honestly, there were times I couldn't see the page through the tears. BEST book . .

[MomOfOneFunOne]

I've read in a long time . . . maybe EVER!

 

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls (of Where the Red Fern Grows fame). http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Monkeys-SUMMER-MONKEYS-Paperback/dp/B002G7NADO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1287874207&sr=8-2

 

So much action with romp of a story, magnificent description, so very, very, touching.

 

I just loved it!

 

It's a quick mover, too. My daughter read it in an afternoon (took me a couple of afternoons -- darn laundry).

 

I can say I'm sorry I've read it b/c now I can never again read it for the first time.

[danybug]

We will have to check it out. I looked up another version on Amazon to get a description of the story. Would it be a good read-aloud for my 10 yo? Thanks for sharing!

[kamom]

My daughter just listed it this week as her favorite book. Maybe I should give it a try.:001_smile:

[MomOfOneFunOne]

We will have to check it out. I looked up another version on Amazon to get a description of the story. Would it be a good read-aloud for my 10 yo? Thanks for sharing!

 

Yes, Yes, and Yes again! Yes!

[MomOfOneFunOne]

My daughter just listed it this week as her favorite book. Maybe I should give it a try.:001_smile:

 

Oh, you definately should. I hope you do!

[*~Tina~*]

Thanks for sharing! We have a copy on the way and you've got me looking forward to it :)

 

Blessings,

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-Tina ~

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

http://seasonsoflearning.blogspot.com/

[whitestavern]

I've seen a movie version of this book, well I haven't SEEN it, as in watched it, I've seen it in my perusing at the library. Has anyone watched it? I'd be interested in hearing if it's any good.

[tampamommy]

Summer of the Monkeys is one of our ALL-TIME favorites. I read it aloud to our family. Yes, I cried. The children have re-read it countless times.

[tampamommy]

Unfortunately, I think Summer of the Monkeys and Where the Red Fern Grows (another winner) are the only two works by Rawls. They are so good, he didn't need to write more, I guess! If anyone knows of others, please share:)

[Diane in CO]

Love this book! It is a real tear jerker though!!!!

[anneofalamo]

oh gosh! thank you!!

I missed this in my book reads, and will pick it up asap!

[MomOfOneFunOne]

Unfortunately, I think Summer of the Monkeys and Where the Red Fern Grows (another winner) are the only two works by Rawls. They are so good, he didn't need to write more, I guess! If anyone knows of others, please share:)

 

What a loss; what a tragic, tragic, loss.

 

Rawls, according to some website or another, wrote at least 5 manuscripts but b/c he was largely uneducated (learned to read from his mom but otherwise didn't have any schooling till high school) his spelling was atrocious. He was ashamed of his spelling errors and never sent the manuscripts to anyone. He saved them for many years but finally burned them b/c he never wanted anyone to see them. :(

 

Much later, he confessed to his wife all about it and she encouraged him to rewrite one. That was Where the Red Fern Grows. She cleaned up all the spelling and sent it to a publisher. Then he did Summer of the Monkeys. He never did another one after that.

 

I read that he traveled all over going to schools with his rewritten manuscript to show how bad it was to encourage kids to study hard, stay in school, and dedicate themselves to learning to spell.

 

I think it's such a tragic loss that we'll never have those other three manuscripts.

[jkwynn]

We are reading this one right now. I was looking for Red Fern and had to put it on hold from another library, but this was on the shelf, so I got it.

 

We love it so far.

[Paintedlady]

Thank you! I just requested it from Paper Back Swap. :001_smile:

[MomOfOneFunOne]

You guys won't regret it, I'm sure!

[K in MI]

That's a great one. Our family has read it aloud at least twice, and it's a family favorite. My 19yo daughter is working on her nursing degree --- it all started with Daisy's "Red Cross nursing skills" she practiced on her brother. :)

[MomOfOneFunOne]

OH, classic! I can't wait to tell my daughter that!