[.ca] Fig Pudding (ISBN 044041203X)

What's the secret ingredient in the Fig Pudding?:
This is an excellent book! Told as a story by the narrator, we experience a little bit about each of his 4 brothers and 1 sister. Each one is a true character in every sense of the word, but at the same time, is very realistic. This is a very real family with characters that I just fell in love with. They are not always as nice as can be and they make mistakes - even the adults. We follow the family through a year in their lives (all from the point of view of the oldest child). There are ups and downs, but in the end everyone does love each other and is there to support each other. This is a wonderful book about the enduring strength of family and the love and support that can be found in them. There are moments that will make the reader laugh at loud and others that will bring a tear to the eye of even the hardest individual. I truly wish this book had gained more recognition. The opportunities for writing activities and discussions based on the book are endless with a little creativity. I fully intend on using this book in my classroom and hope others will as well. Like other Ralph Fletcher books, this is quality literature for students and adults - not simply a kid's book. Why 5 stars?: This book is incredibly well written with very real characteristics. It brings the reader through a variety of emotions as the narrator tells us about his family and the events that occur over the course of a year. The chance to engage students in sharing and discussing literature are excellent. I highly recommend this book for school libraries, and literature circles in the classroom. Parents should be encouraged to read this book with their children as a bonding experience of the discussions about family that will undoubtedly come out.

Fig pudding review:
This was an excellent book. Ralph Fletcher paints the most amazing pictures with words. This is a roller coaster of a story, with many story twists that make the reader laugh heartily or shed a tear. I highly recommend this book to kids in 4th grade and up to middle school age.

From Cliff's life to mine:
I read this book when i was in third grade,I now am in 7th grade, and even back in 97' (okay so it was'nt that long ago) I realized how much this book relates to my life. I have a large family, as does Cliff, and it seems to me that in that year that the story is plotted into, it truly does seem like "ten years roled into one." I'll have to admit, I never lost a family member,but I lost a dog. Does that count? As many other readers must wonder, as I do, did Mr. Ralf Fletcher incorporate happinings from his own life in to making this story all that it is today? Anyhoo- i feel as if I have some sort of fictional bond beetween Cliff and myself. I am filled with joy and happiness when I read this unforgettable story, and the knowledge that life does, and will always go on.

Fig Pudding:
My teacher read Fig Pudding to me when i was in 3rd grade. Now, i am in 6th, and i got it from my local library. It still made me cry, as it did to my teacher and classmates in 3rd grade. A great book for all ages. Gasp, Laugh, and cry your eyes out with Fig Pudding, by Ralph Fletcher

Fig Pudding:
I loved this story and i would recomend it to everyone in the world!!! Its a truly wonderful book because the charactors seem so real!!! It goes through the good times and the bad and takes you through a wonderful adventure in a year in the life of 12 year old Cliff Abernathy III.