Poppy

I was absolutely obsessed with this book as a kid, and still find it a great way to pass a few hours! This absolutely set me down the path of Xenofiction, into much denser and more formidable books like The Sight. Poppy is a wonderful protagonist for children of any gender, a great example of 'If you're scared then you'll just have to do it scared,' made all the greater as she sets out on this journey of her own volition. You do not have to read Ragweed to read Poppy.

I loved this book when I was a kid and it holds up today! Poppy is an interesting heroine. She's a bit of a coward and prefers to go along with whatever is happening around her, but after a tragedy and the influence of her city boyfriend (how the family treated him reminds me of mixed-race couples) opens her eyes to a scheme that's hurting her family, she stands up for herself and the memory of her boyfriend and overcomes her timidity to fight for her family. She's equal parts clever and foolish, timid and headstrong. It's simple and classic and I enjoyed it very much. Ereth was more annoying than I remember though lol.

My 5 year old and I read it in 2 days. He wouldn’t let me put it down. For a kid with ADHD, this book kept his attention and he couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next!

Do you want to read an adventurous, dangerous story that will keep you on your toes? Well, Poppy, by Avi is the the book for you! This story is about a family of mice that live near a forest. The main character is an adventurous mouse named Poppy. She has a BIG job to do! You see, her family is running out of food and Poppy must ask Mr. Ocax (the vicious, ruling owl of the forest) for permission to move. This turns into a harder job than she ever thought it would be. She has many dangerous adventures along the way. All of us here liked this story because it has lots of adventure! There are some talking animals, dangerous predators, and even some fighting scenes! This story would be perfect for people that have read other books in this series by Avi. This is only one of many awesome books! We hope you get the chance to check them out!

Atop Bannock Hill, is a large, dilapidated old place known as Gray House. To the average person's eye, Gray House looks like a place that no one has set foot in for years. But looks can be deceiving. For within the four walls of the large home lives a family of deer mice, who lives their lives in fright of Mr. Ocax, a large horned owl who rules the land of Dimwood Forest. Mr. Ocax refuses to let any member of the deer mice family wander throughout the woods without his permission. But when Poppy, and her boyfriend Ragweed decide to go for a walk on a romantic night, all that changes. Ragweed does not make the trip back home with Poppy, and Poppy must tell her family why: the two of them did not ask Mr. Ocax's permission to wander through Dimwood Forest. And so begins a series of unfortunate events, in which Mr. Ocax refuses to allow Poppy's family to move to a place called New House, leaving Poppy's large, extended family in a deadly predicament. Now, the brave Poppy has decided that it is up to her to make her way to New House, and discover a way to defeat Mr. Ocax, in an attempt to save her family. I have read many books narrated by animals, but POPPY has quickly become one of my absolute favorites. AVI is an amazingly talented writer, who has made the lives of a family of mice - and the various other animals they encounter - one of the most interesting adventure stories in children's literature. Poppy is an adorable, heroic character, whose brave way of thinking, and hard-headed nature make her an admirable mouse to read about, and learn from. POPPY is the ideal book for readers who are too young for REDWALL and too old for THE CAT IN THE HAT. A remarkable, richly visual, enchanting tale of a heroic mouse, and the owl who rules above her. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

It is rare to find a book in which the talking animals act just exactly as you would expect talking animals TO act. In this book a small mouse sets out on a very believable mouse quest. She wishes to find a larger food source for her family while avoiding being eaten by owls, foxes, etc. The setting and main character are not all that different from, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH". In both cases a small female mouse must fight to save other mice. It's a simple book containing a very good sense of what courage is. There's a lovely section in which Poppy tries to decide whether to carry on her quest or turn back, and her decision to carry on doesn't spring from some fiery belief, but the quiet acknowledgement that it is the right thing to do. The illustrations, by the way, are charming. Poppy is delightfully rendered as a small and charming creature. The map at the front is also very helpful in letting the reader get their bearings. All in all, a great book by Avi.

You are going to LOVE this book! It all happened when my teacher began to read it and it caught my eye and I started listening. Now I'm hooked! It is beautifully written by Avi. It is about a little mouse who adventures out into Dimwood forest. It held me in suspense. That's why it is a really good book. My favorite character is Poppy because she loves to dance like me! Its great for fourth graders, I know this because I am one! Happy reading!

Poppy, a timid yet determined mouse, becomes friends with her supposed enemy, Ereth, a no-nonsense and cantankerous porcupine. Ereth has the most colorful language of any character I've met recently. My kids hooted as Ereth, on meeting Poppy, said, "Who the dung beetle bit are you, anyway?"Poppy is a story of overcoming fears, being brave and determined to do the right thing, learning the truth for one's self, and being an individual. It is written with humor, sensitivity, details from nature, and a sense of adventure and wonder.