novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS
"Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.
Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection -- he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?" (From Amazon)
A great novel for early readers.
"Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.
Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection -- he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?" (From Amazon)
A great novel for early readers.
laviaenrose's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
smedsayshi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
5.0
I feel that there are little lessons in American values in White's children's books.
A boy named Applegate Skinner stood up.
"Mr. Brickle," he said, "what about me? I don't care for birds. I never liked birds."
"O.K., Applegate," said Mr. Brickle. "You don't have to like birds. If that is the way you feel about it, just go ahead not-liking birds. Everyone is entitled to his likes and dislikes and to his prejudices. Come to think of it, I don't care for pistachio ice cream. I don't know why I don't like it, but I don't. Do not forget, however, that Louis is one of your counselors. Whether you like him or not, he must be treated with respect."
...later Louis saves Skinner from drowning.
Applegate thought hard for a moment. "Well," he said, "I'm grateful to Louis for saving my life. But I still don't like birds."
"Really?" said Mr. Brickle. "That's quite remarkable. Even though a bird saved you from drowning, you don't care for birds? What have you got against birds?"
"Nothing," replied Applegate. "I have nothing against them. I just don't care for them."
"Really?" said Mr. Brickle. "I guess we'll just have to leave it at that. But the camp is proud of Louis. He is our most distinguished counselor--a great trumpet player, a great bird, a powerful swimmer, and a fine friend. He deserves a medal. In fact, I intend to write a letter recommending that he be given a Lifesaving medal."
A boy named Applegate Skinner stood up.
"Mr. Brickle," he said, "what about me? I don't care for birds. I never liked birds."
"O.K., Applegate," said Mr. Brickle. "You don't have to like birds. If that is the way you feel about it, just go ahead not-liking birds. Everyone is entitled to his likes and dislikes and to his prejudices. Come to think of it, I don't care for pistachio ice cream. I don't know why I don't like it, but I don't. Do not forget, however, that Louis is one of your counselors. Whether you like him or not, he must be treated with respect."
...later Louis saves Skinner from drowning.
Applegate thought hard for a moment. "Well," he said, "I'm grateful to Louis for saving my life. But I still don't like birds."
"Really?" said Mr. Brickle. "That's quite remarkable. Even though a bird saved you from drowning, you don't care for birds? What have you got against birds?"
"Nothing," replied Applegate. "I have nothing against them. I just don't care for them."
"Really?" said Mr. Brickle. "I guess we'll just have to leave it at that. But the camp is proud of Louis. He is our most distinguished counselor--a great trumpet player, a great bird, a powerful swimmer, and a fine friend. He deserves a medal. In fact, I intend to write a letter recommending that he be given a Lifesaving medal."
alg_144's review against another edition
5.0
I read this is 2nd grade and it became my first ever favorite book. I think that this book is what really got me into reading. I had always loved reading and my mom was never shy about her obsession with all things books and reading but I think this book is what really made me love reading for myself and not just because it’s what I was used to. Needless to say, this book has a special place in my heart.