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The Life Of Ty: Penguin Problems (2014)

by Lauren Myracle(Favorite Author)

3.44 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0142423173 (ISBN13: 9780142423172)

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

Puffin

series

The Life of Ty

review 1: Penguin Problems is a story about a seven year old named Ty. His life has been changed by a baby sister, and Ty is figuring it all out. This book must be written with the advanced but young reader in mind. It is realistic fiction, but, despite his best friend fighting leukemia (just touched on), the book is very clean and safe, with Ty going through adjustments relatable to most kids. Personally, I go back and forth between it's a nice safe book and it's just too clean, too perfect. And, it's definitely a series book, not very satisfying on it's own, kids will want to know more. There are definitely higher level 1st grade readers I would recommend it to as well as 2nd graders and some third graders. But there are a lot of kids I would not suggest it to because it's "safe" ... moreis not as relatable. It would be a good read aloud for first grade, with opportunities for discussion about relationships, school, and where "realistic" drops out of the book… read it, you'll see. The illustrations are a nice occasional break from the text. It's ending feels abrupt, although the intention is understood. Not a favorite read, but it certainly will be "the right book" for some kids.
review 2: I so wanted to like Ty, and for the most part I did, but there were some things that I couldn't get past.Seven-year-old Ty is faced with some big changes, most notably with his mom and his new baby sister. His new sister takes up so much of his mom's time and energy that she hardly has any left for Ty! In fact, his oldest sister Sandra drives him to school now and she won't even walk him to the school, she stays in the car instead. Things just aren't like they used to be, and it's hard.I liked the family dynamics, I liked what Ty had to face and how the whole family was a part of it. I really had a hard time with his visit to the aquarium. Without getting into it for spoiler reasons, I'll just say "Really? NO ONE noticed that???? And then...consequences? Nothing?" Unfortunately that was enough to color my view of the entire book. I'm willing to give the second one a try, as there's lots of potential here so I'm hopeful.I would recommend this to fans of Stink and similar "midway" books. Grades 2 and up. less

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