Eye of the wolf

I really enjoyed the language in this book and how it enhanced the wolfs perspective. It would be interesting to see how KS2 children would respond to this, especially if they are looking at how non-human characters behave in their writing.

Lawrence Wild

The Eye of The Wolf

Very quick read!

We found the plot very disengaging and surreal. We found the language to be very poetic; which was very enjoyable.

Unfortunately, we both feel that we would struggle with enthusiasm to introduce this text to the children. however, we think that the book could generate some interesting debates.

Remi and Rachel St Stephen's C of E Primary School.

The Eye of the Wolf

We're not sure whether we enjoyed this book, but it was an easy and quick read. The language was beautiful and evocative which helped create a dreamlike atmoshere that we found interesting. However we thought that the plot was disjointed and surreal in places, a bit like a work of art that you can appreciate but not really engage with. The ending was particularly weak with an unsatisfying conclusion. We found it difficult to imagine how we might excite children with this book. Perhaps reading it again might help to us to identify and engage with the storyline.

Ros and Cath
Long Lawford Primary

Eye Of The Wolf by Daniel Pennac

I read this book over the space of a few evenings. I enjoyed this book and found it quite easy to read. I liked the way it was portrayed from the Wolfs perspective and enjoyed the different twists. I think this book would be enjoyed by children in Key Stage Two and I think it would open up alot of different learning opportunities.

Becky - Boughton Leigh Infant School

Eye of the Wolf

I really enjoyed this book, particularly the way it came full circle at the end. I found it powerful and atmospheric, whilst still being accessible. I liked the way the boy could communicate with the animals and the mirroring of behaviour and attitudes between humans and animals. The way tragedies were addressed, such as the wolves being hunted and Africa being sold by his Mother, were very effective and could generate some interesting conversation amongst younger readers.

Ruth, Great Alne

Eye of the Wolf

A superb read, really engaging for the adult reader. I loved the way the stories developed and found it hard to put down. Both parts of the story developed so effectively. I would definitely look at more books by this author.

Africa

A very easy read, consumed in one sitting! Having said that I cannot say I enjoyed it a great deal, and it's nothing like the kind of thing I would normally read myself or to my class. I thought there was some beautiful language used, and some lovely ideas. As I read it I tried to imagine what my class would get from it, and if they would engage with it. Food for thought.
Kate Midgley - Friars

Eye of the Wolf

Daniel Pennac is one of my favourite authors and this is the first book of his I have read in English. I think it was a tremendously good idea for a novel and provides lots of scope for children to work with the text, in terms of perspective of the different characters, the theme of journeys and of relationships between humans and animals. I think he has a style of writing that is unique but also accessible for children. A fantastic read!

The Eye of the Wolf

Really enjoyed this book! Particularly enjoyed the boys story and hearing about all the different sides to Africa.
Liked the repetition of the few lines about the boy being a good storyteller, which were throughout the book.
Would like to think that this is the kind of book that my children will read in the future.
Mrs Gregory and Miss Oldham - Malmesbury Primary School

The Eye of the Wolf

I read this book in one sitting. I thought it was very easy to read, and I imagine that children would enjoy the story. Having said this, I did not massively enjoy the story. I appreciated the idea of telling a story from the wolf's perspective, and thought it was very clever how the wolf displayed very human like emotions. I thought the author had a great imagination and raised many interesting issues. I however found the story a bit odd and not very stimulating as an adult reader.
Katherine, All Saints', Merton

The Eye of the Wolf

I really enjoyed reading The Eye of the Wolf. It was very interesting to read part of the book from the wolf's perspective, this would obviously really appeal to children too. It raises a great deal of serious issues in a more accessible way. This book would provide a good gateway to introduce children to some difficult environmental ideas.
Alex Jenkins
Bond Primary

Eye of the Wolf

I have enjoyed reading this book and especially like the idea of animals being able to connect with human beings through a shared sense of loss. The wolf's story has an amusing perspective on human beings which makes you wonder how animals do see us. Africa's gift of storytelling is also an intersting idea in the story. I think my class would like this story, although it requires a bit of a leap from the reader through parts.

Eye of the Wolf Review

I read this book during the Christmas holidays and although I found it a quick and easy read, I didn't enjoy it much. I did, however, love the imagery and the idea of the story, especially the moral content regarding the sister wolf's change of name.
Vickie Parker, Hillside Junior School

Eye of the wolf

I thought I was going to find this book diffficult to read as I don't particularly like books where animals think and speak in a human manner. However, I became curious very quickly as to what was going to happen and read it to the end in one go. It made me reflect on taking more time to really see what's on the inside of others!

Anne Hammond (Oak Farm Infant School - Hillingdon)

Our thoughts on The Eye of the Wolf are:

We loved it. The different parts of the story fell together so well and the symmetry of the text was very appealing. The zoo was intentionally sad but when the characters were all reunited it made sense. We both feel it has great potential for classwork although it may be trickier with the younger children - however, we are open to suggestions!

Looking forward to Tuesday.

Best wishes
Lesley and Amy
William Morris

Eye of the wolf

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Thought at the beginning, I would find it a slog to read, but enjoyed following their journeys and loved the ending. Didn't expect the eye opening twist!

JSewell St Matthew's, Hillingdon

The Eye of the Wolf

Although this was not my idea of a great read, I can see how children would be gripped by a story that looks into the eye of the animal. It would be interesting to use this story as a model for children's writing, changing the wolf character to another animal or changing the setting of the story so that they can write a 'new' version. It was easy to read and dealt with topical issues.

The Eye of the Wolf

I really enjoyed the book. Thought it was really well written. Found both the wolf and the boy's stories equally interesting and was hooked all the way to the clever ending. Will definately read with my Year 5 class, who are all real animal lovers.

Sarah Daly, St Giles junior School

Eye of the Wolf

I am afraid I did not enjoy this book, maybe because I am not a great fan of books about animals. I do however appreciate the comments made by others about the powerful language and the strength of the relationship built up between the two characters. I think I would have looked at it in a different light if I had actually been reading it with a view towards using it with children. Carol All Saints', Merton

I read The Eye of the Wolf but did not enjoy it as much as other texts I have read recently. I did not like the way it kept changing from the boy to the wolf, although I can appreciate the complexity of writing the book.

I liked that it was short and you could read it easily with a class but I think some students would be easily confused by whose point of view was being used.

Karen - Stanford Primary

Eye of the Wolf

I read this book over two evenings. I found it easy to read and enjoyed the story - it was no effort to read. The beginning was wonderful and the language used really allowed my imagination to picture the scenes. The boy's story I didn't find quite so engaging. However, I loved the way the story was intertwined and the ending was super.

After reading - I fully appreciated the book cover - the illustrator had painted such a wonderful image which was lost on me until I had read the story.

Eye of the Wolf

I Loved the beginning of this book it really made me want to read on.I started reading it in a hurry as I had to choose some books for some actors/story tellers to read in school. I was looking for a book suitable for year 6 and thought I'd read a few pages of the Eye of the Wolf to see if it was a possible choice. I stood in my kitchen and read half the book without even realising! I was fascinated by the wolf and the description of his eye and the stare off between the boy and the wolf.
The actors/storytellers who visited the school read the first part of the story to year 6 as planned and they loved it, one of the actors paced around the children staring at them whilst another read.
I returned to the book later to finish it, I enjoyed it, but was not so engaged with the characters and was a little disappointed as it hadn't lived up to the cracking start.

Eye of The Wolf

I enjoyed the story very much, being an animal lover I was unsure at first how graphic the wolf's story would be (and had my tissues at the ready!). I coped! I liked both parts of the book equally and was pleased with the ending - although secretly I wanted all the animals to be set free! I feel this book would be suited to a KS2 class.
Katie Moy
Ipswich prep

Barnet Power of Reading Group

just checking to see if we can actually do this thing called blogging!!! yes we can, yippee
Joyce and Marian at Bell Lane

Eye of the Wolf

I loved this book. The description of the characters and how all their lives intertwined led to an almost traditional, happy ever after.

Allison Mclatchie

Morehall Primary school

Eye of the Wolf

My third attempt to write on this blog! Silly school computers.

I enjoyed Eye of the Wolf - I loved the relationship the two characters built up and the fact they both learnt their stories through each other's eyes - fantastic description of the Wolf's eye. Our link colleague Jennie Clarke had actually shown us this extract during our POR INSET and actually having that experience and looking more closely at the text made me understand it more when I was able to read the whole thing and understand the context for the extract.

I, in contrast to a lot of people, found the second part harder to understand. The boy's story was more abstract but easy to read and I read this quickly in an evening. I didn't feel like putting it down (even with the pressure of having to read it!) This would make a great Guided reader - the relationships between characters (animals and humans) the description of the landscapes - links to geography, history - that I think a lot of children would enjoy getting into this book. It's perfect for the Tell me Grid - what I liked, disliked, patterns, puzzles, questions and what it reminds you of - what a great couple of sessions that would be on its own.

Sarah Lowden
Churchfields Junior School, Redbridge

The Power of Reading!

After starting this project as a lover of books I initially thought it would be impossible to read 10 books; where would I ever find the time? But after the first introduction to 'The Other Side of Truth' I have read all the books given to us and bought three more. I have shared this love of books and reading with my Year 2 class and have even started swapping books with other pupils in my school. 'You're a bad man, Mr Gum!' By Andy Stanton is a very funny book, with an excellent play on words, that amuses children an adults alike. I am looking forward to more inspiration on Thursday.

Rebecca England, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Greenwich.

The eye of the wolf

The first time I tried to read this book i could not get into it at all and gave up after the first chapter. I found it confusing and boring. However, on the second attempt I had less distraction and once past the first chapter found it intriguing. The contrast between the boy and the wolf was very clever. The story of what happened to the wolf was also moving. I agree with other people, however, it is not a book I would choose to read or recommend. i much preferred The garbage king and other side of truth.

Eye of the Wolf

I agree with the Sunday Telegraph review- "An exquisitely atmospheric novel."

Nicola Campbell

Fullwood Primary

It was definitely an interesting read but also a confusing one as I lost track of the story and connections towards the end of the book. I read it within a couple of hours so the words were easy to read. There was alot of description and detail, which I liked, but I found the changing of tense throughout the book quite hard to keep up with. I'm not sure it is a book I would like to read again but it would be interesting to read another of his books to see if there are any similarities.

Eye of the Wolf

As others have said, it was a pleasure reading a book that I could finish quite quickly. I didn't, however, find it an easy read and had to keep on re-reading pages and looking back at other chapters to check that I was on track. It was difficult following the characters, however, the language was easily understood and I found myself spending more time looking at the illustrations than conentrating on what I was reading. As someone else said that re-reading it may make it more enjoyable.

The Eye of the Wolf

I enjoyed the opening of the story and began to read on in eager anticipation. After finishing the book, I thought " I've missed something here!"I couldn't work out what was going on and wondered if the book lost something in the translation. I thought it was all rather strange and wonder what the target audience thought about it. Not for me I'm afraid. I much preferred "The Garbage King".

Eye of the Wolf.

I thought this was a brilliant read. It is a book I would choose to read independently and couldn`t put it down until finished. The start of the book captured my imagination and having stood and looked at a Canadian wolf moving around his compound, I felt Daniel Pannac reflected this in his writing and also the sense of it observing you as much as you looking at it.

Chris Johnstone, Newdigate Primary School, Bedworth, Warwickshire.

After reading Garbage King and The other side of the truth, I was really looking forward to reading the Eye of the Wolf. It took a long time to get into and I found it a bit confusing! I kept having to reread parts and work out who was actually telling the story at the time. Perhaps I will read the book again and concentrate a bit more on it. I kept finding myself other things to do! It didn't really capture me, but I will 'give it another go.'
Jo Norris, Whitnash Primary School

Traction Man - Mini Grey

An excellent book that hooked my year two class from start to finish. Mini Grey cleverly writes this story as a comic strip which is so different to anything I have used before.
My class loved keeping a class journal of the process undertaken. We were able to keep photo's, examples of work, the childrens thoughts and ideas plus lots more. The journal is now in our book corner and is well read and a constant reminder of the fabulous book.
Other activities such as drama and hot seating were very effective and helped the children to understand and explore the characters. They adored making the story boxes and adding props to create a new scene, a perfect lead into writing a new traction man story.
I cannot recommend this book enough and the work that comes from it is wonderful.

Eye of the Wolf

It took me a while to get into the book, although short and easy to read. I did however begin to appreciate the story and found it thought provoking.

Claire Hillingdon

Eye of the wolf

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the way the story started with the boy staring at the wolf, then how the story kept going from the past to the present. An enjoyable and easy read.

Michael Mallach
IJPS

Eye of the Wolf

I absaloutely loved it and was quickly transported to the other countries and places that DanielPennac describes with such succinctness and economy of language. The names of the animals were wonderful and I can imagine children easily identifying with names such as Great Wolf, Black Flame and Shiny Straw. My favourite has to be Saucepans though, can't you just imagine the camel trudging over the desert with pans clanking on his pack? The illustrations are beautifully drawn with just enough detail but plenty of scope for the imagination to go where ever you want. Having recently found out that I am closely related to the earliest settlers of New England and Conneticut, who were deeply involved in the colonial wars, and were made captive and transported across the lakes and forested wilderness of Canada,( in fact my ancestors story inspired James Fenimore Cooper to write The Last of the Mohicans) this has brought a whole new dimension to my reading of the book! Writing this blog is making me want to re-read it as it's weeks ago that I first read the book and I hardly ever re-read books as there are so many waiting to be read. I recommended it to my husband so that I could share what I just experienced. I would never have found this book without doing the Power of Reading course, so thanks for another really different enjoyable reading experience.

Jill Williams. Long Cross Primary and Nursery School Bristol.

Eye of the wolf

An enjoyabe read. Like how Daniel Pennac uses the point of view writing which comes together at the end.
Jo Rose Grove primary

The London Eye Mystery

I read this over the weekend.
What a great story.
I really enjoyed the perspective of Ted, the narrator, who has Aspergers (I assume) although this is never actually said explicitly.
The book also has a really interesting story attached to it about the author and the proceeds from the book.
So, thanks to Elizabeth, one of our Y6 teachers who motivated me to read it by sayong she was planning to use it with her class. Definitely interesting for our London children - maybe a day out can be planned to go and see the scene of the crime first hand???

Kathryn, Barnet LEA

Eye of the Wolf

This story was very thought provoking, particularly on the issue of hunting. I really liked the way that the author told the story through the eye and how this was a realistic connection between the wolf and the boy.
The book was a short, easy read but I could not put it down once I had started. I thought the ending may have been a bit too farfetched with all the animals being reunited in the zoo but maybe that was the point.

Emily-Merton Abbey Primary

The Eye of the Wolf

Enjoyed a quick read for a change!

Found the beginning a little confusing/distorted although I think this was the authors intent as the wolf was very caught up in himself to begin with. It came together as I read on and a powerful connection emerged between Africa and the wolf, who both had such negative human experiences and told their tales in a 'fable' style.

I did find myself having to go back and check who was grey wolf and who was blue wolf at one point in the story; I agree with other bloggers that a second read, knowing the ending, would give better comprehension and flow to the book as a whole.

I think children would enjoy reading this and many 'right or wrong?' environmentalist discussions could come from it.

Anna, St Matthews C of E School

Eye of the Wolf

I enjoyed this book and like others found it a pleasant change to be able to complete a book so quickly! I thought the words used painted really detailed pictures in my head and liked the structure of the story- moving from past to present and from character to character. However the length of the chapters sometimes left me wanting more. Just as I was getting into an aspect of the story it stopped. I also agree with another blogger that the ending was a bit abrupt for me. Overall though, a good read.
Louise - Goose Green Primary

Eye of the wolf

It took me a while to get into this book, but eventually I started to appreciate it. I found it very atmospheric and thought provoking, and I liked the way it jumped from past to present and from character to character. A very interesting book, but I preferred The Garbage King, which I couldn't put down.

The eye of the wolf

I really enjoyed the pace (and shortness) of this book, I was able to finish it in one bath, something never achieved before! I liked the twist at the end and had not seen it coming. I also enjoyed the use of description- conjuring up some beautiful images in my minds eye. Unlike some of the other bloggers I enjoyed how the story flicked between the present and the past and found it more engaging because of it. I felt that the wolf's story was a better tale than Africa's from what I can remember (I read it the evening after the last inset).
Lucy Howard Alderwood Primary School

This is the first text I have read in a long time, that is from the perspective of a animal - exploring and experiencing 'life' from their point of view. I like the way the story starts in the present - it is as if I too was by the cage, watching this scene between wolf and boy. As the story progresses, the narration informs the reader of the complex emotions felt by these animals, that a human cannot understand. It is so interesting to read their intrigue and fear of 'us'. What I particularly like about this story so far, is the depth of information about these wolf experiences and how the author emgages the reader in what is happening, by writing in the present tense. I am thoroughly enjoying The Eye of the Wolf.. I am wondering what will happen to Shiny Straw?
Helen Ellis - Mayflower Primary School

Review: The Eye of the Wolf

Initially I found this book difficult to get into and had to reread some parts several times, so I was sure of the characters. However I did eventually enjoy the story and was able to appreciate the difficulties the characters had come through. I particularly felt sorry for the boy, although the wolf had experienced truama too!

The book was quite a short read and may be worth reading again as I was reading the book late at night.