MrsK Books: The Last Wild by Piers Torday

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Last Wild by Piers Torday

ISBN: 9780670015542

eBook review

Goodreads Synopsis:
In a world where animals no longer exist, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes sometimes feels like he hardly exists either. Locked away in a home for troubled children, he's told there's something wrong with him. So when he meets a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach, Kester thinks he's finally gone crazy. But the animals have something to say. And they need him. The pigeons fly Kester to a wild place where the last creatures in the land have survived. A wise stag needs Kester's help, and together they must embark on a great journey, joined along the way by an overenthusiastic wolf cub, a military-trained cockroach, a mouse with a ritual for everything, and a stubborn girl named Polly. The animals saved Kester Jaynes. But can Kester save the animals?

MrsK's Review:
As I was browsing what to read next, I came upon a review that said this book was a must read for any students in grades 4-8. As a Librarian, I am always on the prowl for books that will inspire my students to discover new adventures. The cover did not appear to be engaging me, and yet, I considered that the plot might be worth my investigation. Even though I am learning to engage with an eBook, I knew that there was a character awaiting my discovery.

"My story begins with me sitting on a bed, looking out the window. I know that doesn't sound like much. But let me tell you where the bed is..." A great hook, right! The world has been changed and Kester has been put into Spectrum Hall Academy for Challenging Children. At this point in his life, Kester knows, "...what the words mean. I know how to write them. I just can't say them. Not since Mum died." You will discover why Kester was taken from his home in the middle of the night. You will learn that being secluded in a lock-up and given only a horrifying "formula" for food causes Kester to make friends with cockroach, moths, pigeons and finally the Stag (my favorite character by the way, although I have a fondness for the wolf pup too).

So life is miserable for Kester, probably like you could imagine. Yet, Kester's story leads you on a journey where the "forks" along the way leads back to his home. The journey is not an easy one. To begin with, no one argues with Facto the maker of the "formula" and the school that Kester is locked in. One day the animals began to die, then the bees, fish, and birds. Facto decided that all the crops needed to be destroyed and people began dying. The disease became known as the "Red Eye," since by the time your eyes turned red you were a goner. That's why Kester, "...became a genuine freak, mute, with only varmints for friends."

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to think-talk to animals? Kester discovers this ability just about the time that a rescue has been issued to help save the animals. The twist is that humans aren't the ones that realize Kester's worth. Well maybe one girl knows that there is hope in Kester and his father.

Every turn of the page leads you into danger, into a gathering of animals who will protect Kester along his journey home. You know sometimes friends are only in our lives just long enough to take our journey past a challenge... these characters will plant the seeds of hope. Each one is uniquely gifted for Kester's journey. Be prepared to feel this journey! It is one to read, to ponder, to share.

Enjoy this amazing story, it won't be the last of the wild or honor,
MrsK
(Gr. 4-8)

Piers Torday was born in Northumberland, which is possibly the one part of England where more animals live than people. After working as a producer and writer in theatre, live comedy and TV, he now lives in London – where there are more animals that you might think. The Last Wild is followed by the sequel (and concluding volume) The Dark Wild. You can find out more about Piers and follow his blog at www.pierstorday.co.uk.

Enjoyable reading for everyone... Will be adding to our Library shelves!

"I received this ebook for free from Net Galley for this review."

We Are What You Read.

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)