Book Review: Summer of the Monkeys

Remember Where the Red Fern Grows?  Summer of the Monkeys is by the same author, Wilson Rawls.  His cloquical, country voice echoes through these pages.  It's a story about a fourteen year-old boy, Jay Berry, and his twin sister, Daisy.  There's a dog, 29 monkeys, a pony, and a difficult choice thrown in the narrative mix.  This story has it's sad spots, but in a sweet and heart-warming way.  It's not the same story of loss as Where the Red Fern Grows.  As far as negative or inappropriate content, this book is pretty tame.  It brought up some safety issues.  Jay Berry walks in the railroad tracks.  He also prays to the Old Man of the Mountains at one point in the story.  We talked about why we pray only to God.  If you loved Where the Red Fern Grows, you will enjoy this story.  Greg (9 yo) and Phoenix (5 yo) sure enjoyed hearing it while they climbed trees like little monkeys.

'Grandpa smiled and said, "We surely do.  You know, an old man like me can teach a young boy like you all the good things in life.  But it takes a young boy like you to teach an old man like me to appreciate all the good things in life.  I guess that's what life's all about."' - Grandpa to Jay Berry