"A lush, exotic little gem—this writer’s a keeper." - Karen Hesse, Newbery Medal-winning author of Out of Dust.
Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger—a real-life, very large tiger—pacing back and forth in a cage. What’s more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things—like memories, and heartache, and tigers—can’t be locked up forever.
Kate DiCamillo, whose Because of Winn-Dixie was a Newbery Honor Book, again explores the difficulty of fitting into a new place. But The Tiger Rising is even more emotionally affecting as Rob and Sistine, united by their aloneness, grapple with unlocking their own heartaches as they debate whether to free the tiger.
—The New York Times Book Review
The author delves deeply into the psyches of her cast with carefully choreographed scenes, opting for the economy of poetry over elaborate prose. . . . DiCamillo demonstrates her versatility by treating themes similar to those of her first novel with a completely different approach. Readers will eagerly anticipate her next work.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
It deals with the tough issues of death, grieving, and the great accompanying sadness, and has enough layers to embrace any reader.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
The story deftly shows the anxiety and suspense of getting close to someone after experience has taught you that may not be safe to do. DiCamillo's gorgeous language wastes not a single word: spare and taut her sentences spin out, with the Florida mist rising off them, and unspoken words finally said aloud.
—Booklist
Young readers who enjoyed DiCamillo's first novel won't be disappointed by her second.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The brief novel, which features a well realized setting and an almost palpable aura of sadness, has a certain mythic quality.
—The Horn Book
. . . the tiger, 'burning bright' with magnificent, feral presence, does make an arresting central image.
—Kirkus Reviews
Together [the characters] learn about trust, friendship, and feelings as they plot to set the tiger free. In the process, they learn another valuable lesson, one that readers won't soon forget. This poignant, powerful story was written by the author of the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie.
—Dallas Morning News
DiCamillo, who grew up in Central Florida and wrote the multi-award winning Because of Winn-Dixie, could almost have titled her bittersweet second novel "Because of the Tiger" . . . because of the tiger, Rob and Sistine make the fateful decision that allows Rob and his father to grieve more openly for their loss.
—Orlando Sentinel
Powerfully written by the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, this poignant story is certain to garner accolades on many levels.
—Syndicated Column - Kendal Rautzhan
