Another week passed. Farmer Bailey
could not help noticing how peculiar
the weather had been. Not long ago
it seemed that autumn was just
around the corner. But now it still
felt like summer, as if the seasons
couldn't change.
The Stranger is a marvelous autumn read. It has a smart story and engaging artwork, plus a touch of mystery that is appealing to both adults and children.
The story begins as Farmer Bailey hears a thud and discovers that he has accidentally struck a man with his truck. He takes the man home and calls the doctor. The doctor checks the stranger over and concludes that he is all right, except that he is suffering from a loss of memory. Days pass, and then weeks, and the stranger stays, never speaking, and the family comes to love his quiet, friendly presence. But darn if there aren't some odd events that revolve around him.
For one, he broke the doctor's thermometer. All the mercury went to the bottom of the glass and stayed there. For another, he never sweats, even when working hard baling hay. And oddity of oddities, now that he's come, autumn seems to be on-hold. The trees south of the farm just aren't turning colors. What exactly could be going on?
Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
Don and I have both reviewed this most excellent book. Here's his review...
WHAT A FASCINATING WORK!Other reviewers have used the word "strange" to describe this work. I think the words "haunting" and "mysterious," probably hit closer to the mark. At least they do for me. This is one of those works that will certainly make you think. More importantly, it will make, or should make, the young reader think. That is the key to the fascination of the text of this work. Beyond doubt, the illustrations are quite wonderful, even beautiful. I did note that some of the youth reviews here were not overly enthusiastic. I have found that many young people do indeed "get" the story, while others do not. Some simply do not have the capacity to wonder, to imagine. This is sort of sad in a way, but on the other hand, it is works such as this, that if read with an adult who does have that spark of wonder in them, might allow some of that wonder to rub off. I like a good fantasy and a good mystery, ergo, I liked this book and do recommend it. The art work and stark writing alone are worth it.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Talking Points:::
Excellent story and artwork. This book has wide appeal - 7 and up!
Most younger children are going to need help to figure out and appreciate this mystery -- or to even know that there is one. I know that even my 3rd grader (and some adults if you read the Amazon reviews) just didn't glom onto the fact that there were clues hidden in the story. I had help her, in fact, to put the pieces together. But once she and her brother got the idea they wanted o read this book again and again so they could see the clues stack up... and the mystery resolve.
The Stranger
- Accelerated Reading level : 3.7
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (October 28, 1986)
- ISBN-10: 0395423317
- Peek-Inside
Technical Stuff:::
Word Count: 927
Reading Level: 3.7
Interest Level: 1-4
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 3.7 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 69065related posts: The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg
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If you don't know Chris Van Allsburg, he is a favorite on this site and I've put in place a carousel to help you remember some of the books he has written -- like Jumanji! As for The Stranger, it makes for a lovely seasonal story that would be a great read-aloud for a classroom or at home.
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