The book that I chose to read was Listening for Lions, by Gloria Whalen. The book was published by Harper Trophy in 2005. I really enjoyed this book and it always held my attention. I think that of the three Gloria Whalen books I read this year, Listening for Lions, Chu Ju’s House, and Homeless Bird, Listening for Lions was the best. I thought that Listening for Lions was easier to follow and I thought that it was more interesting than Homeless Bird. In the two other Gloria Whalen books that I read this year, the main character always ends up with a husband at the end, but in Listening for Lions the main character (Rachel) doesn’t end up with a husband or even a boyfriend at the end.
I would give this book four out of five stars. The reason I wouldn’t give this book the fifth star is because when Rachel, the main character, looks for the birds that the grandfather wants to see, the story line got slower. But when the Pritchards come to visit, the story line grabbed my attention once again. Listening for Lions has 194 pages, which I thought was just the right length.
This book takes place both in Africa and in London. Rachel is the main character in this book. I really admired her because she was so strong and was able to carry on after her experiences and tragedies. For example when her mother and father die, and when she is forced to go to London against her will . Even though she had a pretty hard life she kept holding on, and in the end she turned out with a pretty good life. Another character trait of Rachel’s that I admire is her bravery. For example when she goes to London and goes to live with a complete stranger, the grandfather. Listening for Lions is full of many internal conflicts and external conflicts which make the book interesting. An internal conflict is when a character fights against himself. An external conflict is when a character fights against an outside force. An internal conflict that goes on in this story is when Rachel has to lie to the grandfather about being Valerie, because she felt it was disrespectful to lie. Rachel had a very hard time pretending to be Valerie, and she is always wanting to confess to the grandfather that she isn’t really Valerie, but she can’t because she doesn’t want to hurt the grandfather.
An external conflict that goes on in this book is when Rachel tries to escape from the Pritchard’s house in Africa, the day before she goes to London. In this case Rachel is fighting against the family that is trying to send her away from Africa. Another external conflict occurs when the Pritchard’s take her away from the grandfather to go live with them in a flat in London. She escapes and goes to Mr. Grombloch (the grandfather’s lawyer.)who takes her back to the grandfather. Listening for Lions is written in the first person. Rachel is the narrator, telling the story about her life.
I thought that this book was really interesting. I especially enjoyed the part of the book when Rachel travels to London. I also learned a lot from reading this book , including how Rachel’s positive personality and character traits carried her through tragic and difficult times. I recommend this book to girls that are in middle school ( even boys might enjoy this book!) I look forward to reading more of Gloria Whales novels.
Listening for Lions
By: Rachel Aziza
The book that I chose to read was Listening for Lions, by Gloria Whalen. The book was published by Harper Trophy in 2005. I really enjoyed this book and it always held my attention. I think that of the three Gloria Whalen books I read this year, Listening for Lions, Chu Ju’s House, and Homeless Bird, Listening for Lions was the best. I thought that Listening for Lions was easier to follow and I thought that it was more interesting than Homeless Bird. In the two other Gloria Whalen books that I read this year, the main character always ends up with a husband at the end, but in Listening for Lions the main character (Rachel) doesn’t end up with a husband or even a boyfriend at the end.
I would give this book four out of five stars. The reason I wouldn’t give this book the fifth star is because when Rachel, the main character, looks for the birds that the grandfather wants to see, the story line got slower. But when the Pritchards come to visit, the story line grabbed my attention once again. Listening for Lions has 194 pages, which I thought was just the right length.
This book takes place both in Africa and in London. Rachel is the main character in this book. I really admired her because she was so strong and was able to carry on after her experiences and tragedies. For example when her mother and father die, and when she is forced to go to London against her will . Even though she had a pretty hard life she kept holding on, and in the end she turned out with a pretty good life. Another character trait of Rachel’s that I admire is her bravery. For example when she goes to London and goes to live with a complete stranger, the grandfather.
Listening for Lions is full of many internal conflicts and external conflicts which make the book interesting. An internal conflict is when a character fights against himself. An external conflict is when a character fights against an outside force. An internal conflict that goes on in this story is when Rachel has to lie to the grandfather about being Valerie, because she felt it was disrespectful to lie. Rachel had a very hard time pretending to be Valerie, and she is always wanting to confess to the grandfather that she isn’t really Valerie, but she can’t because she doesn’t want to hurt the grandfather.
An external conflict that goes on in this book is when Rachel tries to escape from the Pritchard’s house in Africa, the day before she goes to London. In this case Rachel is fighting against the family that is trying to send her away from Africa. Another external conflict occurs when the Pritchard’s take her away from the grandfather to go live with them in a flat in London. She escapes and goes to Mr. Grombloch (the grandfather’s lawyer.)who takes her back to the grandfather.
Listening for Lions is written in the first person. Rachel is the narrator, telling the story about her life.
I thought that this book was really interesting. I especially enjoyed the part of the book when Rachel travels to London. I also learned a lot from reading this book , including how Rachel’s positive personality and character traits carried her through tragic and difficult times. I recommend this book to girls that are in middle school ( even boys might enjoy this book!) I look forward to reading more of Gloria Whales novels.