Fiercely and Friends: The Big Something

Be the first to write a review

Overview

An endearing new chapter book series by two-time Newbery Honor author of the bestselling Polk Street series.

Jilli and Jim are best of friends. But today, Jim has some news. Something scary is happening next door. Workmen are building something that is big and red. And a woman in a pointy hat is on a ladder painting. Could she be the witch from Hansel and Gretel making a big red gingerbread house?

When Jilli's dog Fiercely crawls under the ...

See more details below
Hardcover
$6.29
BN.com price
(Save 10%)$6.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (25) from $1.99   
  • New (16) from $3.72   
  • Used (9) from $1.99   
The Big Something

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK Study

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

Available for Pre-Order
This item will be available on September 1, 2013.
NOOK Book (eBook)
$3.43
BN.com price
(Save 14%)$3.99 List Price
Note: Kids' Club Eligible. See More Details.

More About This Book

Overview

An endearing new chapter book series by two-time Newbery Honor author of the bestselling Polk Street series.

Jilli and Jim are best of friends. But today, Jim has some news. Something scary is happening next door. Workmen are building something that is big and red. And a woman in a pointy hat is on a ladder painting. Could she be the witch from Hansel and Gretel making a big red gingerbread house?

When Jilli's dog Fiercely crawls under the fence and runs into the witch's yard--the children must go over there and rescue him! But a surprise is in store for everyone. The woman is not a witch at all. She's Ms. Berry--the nicest teacher from the school. And soon she will be their teacher!

With her characteristic warmth, humor, and irresistible child-friendly drama, Patricia Reilly Giff is at her very best!

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
False assumptions underlie the comedy of this buoyant launch to Fiercely and Friends, a paper-over-board early chapter book series that’s right on target for recent picture-book graduates. Peering through a hole in the fence, Jim and Jilli see men building “a Big Red Something” next door. They decide that the woman in a pointy hat painting pictures of gumdrops and ice-cream cones on the structure is a witch creating “a Hansel and Gretel house,” and they fear for the safety of Jilli’s dog, Fiercely, when he gets into the neighboring yard. Using short, punchy sentences, Giff (the Kids of Polk Street School series) writes in the chipper voice of Jilli, whose mind hurtles amusingly from one thought to another. Searching for disguises to scare the “witch,” Jilli finds gummy bears stuck to the woodshed floor and dusts them off: “Gummy bears made you brave. They tasted good, too.” Palmisciano’s (Gifts from the Heart) oil pastels playfully reinforce the energy and puckish personalities of the kids and Fiercely in this promising series kickoff. Ages 5–8. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic. (July)
School Library Journal
Gr 1–3—When Jilli and Jim observe a neighbor wearing a pointy hat and a "Big Red Something" being built on the other side of the fence, their imaginations take over. Surely the woman is a witch and the house a Hansel and Gretel cottage. And they're convinced that Jilli's frisky dog, Fiercely, is in danger. What a delightful surprise when the children-emboldened by their makeshift scary costumes-approach the woman and discover that she is a popular teacher named Miss Barry. The red something turns out to be a schoolhouse, suggesting more adventures to follow. Oil pastel illustrations provide picture clues for the spare text. Giff understands the way young children try to make sense of the mysteries that confront them and creates dialogue that sounds natural and true. A perfect choice for new chapter-book readers.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT
Kirkus Reviews
The Big Something doesn't end up amounting to much in this lackluster beginning reader. As the first in the planned Fiercely and Friends series, the text amounts to more exposition than narrative substance. Jilli's dog Fiercely digs a hole under a fence, and though she frets that he is "digging straight down to China" he ends up in the neighboring yard. Peeping through a hole in the fence, Jilli and Jim (children will ask whether he's her friend or her brother--the text is unclear) see workers "building a Big Red Something." Also in the next yard is a mysterious woman wearing a witch's hat and standing on a ladder to paint ice-cream cones and gumdrops on the structure's walls, making it akin to the witch's house in "Hansel and Gretel." Curious, Jilli and Jim go to a shed to don disguises (and pause to eat gummy bears stuck to its floor). Then they use a gummy bear to entice Fiercely to return, which provokes the painting woman to come talk with them. Lo and behold, she isn't a witch, but Ms. Berry, "the nicest teacher." She tells the children that The Big Red Something is a "new school" and they follow her into the yard to help her paint. Palmisciano's watercolor illustrations visually describe the text but stop short of adding engaging detail or expansion. A disappointment from a noted writer in an era when outstanding early readers abound. (Early reader. 5-7)
From the Publisher

Praise for FIERCELY & FRIENDS: THE BIG SOMETHING:

"The colorful, oil-pastel illustrations make the most of the story's drama and help create its upbeat atmosphere. A warm, childlike start to the Fiercely and Friends series for beginning readers." -- BOOKLIST

"False assumptions underlie the comedy of this buoyant launch to Fiercely and Friends…an early chapter book series that's right on target for recent picture-book graduates." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Children's Literature - Tima Murrell
Jilli and Jim are playing with their dog, Fiercely, in their yard. But Jim notices something being built in the yard next door. As they peer through the fence they see workers building a red building. They also notice what appears to be a witch painting the building. They are really concerned and run back to the house. But while spying on the building from their house, they notice their dog has dug a hole under the fence and is now in the witch's yard. Dressing up to appear scary and getting some food to entice the dog to return they creep over to the fence. But the witch turns out to be their teacher and she shows them the new building that will soon be their school. This book is an enjoyable little mystery that children will enjoy solving. The illustrations are fun and help to tell the story as well. The words are simple enough that this could be a level 2 reader. Reviewer: Tima Murrell
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780545244596
  • Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
  • Publication date: 7/1/2012
  • Series: Fiercely and Friends
  • Pages: 40
  • Sales rank: 804,616
  • Age range: 4 - 8 Years
  • Lexile: 320L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 6.10 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.40 (d)

Meet the Author


Patricia Reilly Giff is a two-time Newbery Honor Book author and has written more than sixty books for young readers, including her bestselling Polk Street School series. Her perfect pitch for writing stories that kids love comes from her twenty years as a schoolteacher and reading specialist. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut, with her husband.

Diane Palmisciano is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has illustrated over fifty popular books for children. She lives in North Scituate, Rhode Island, where she takes long walks with her dog through the woods and at the beach.

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)