Betsy Who Cried Wolf

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Illustrator: Scott Nash

Publishing information: (HarperCollins Publishers, May 28, 2002, Ages 4-8)

Number of Pages: 40 pages

Genre: Picture

Summary of Plot:

            This book is about a girl, not a boy who decides she wants to be the best Shepard. On her eighth birthday she took the shepard’s oath. One day Zimmo, a hungry wolf, tricked Betsy into thinking he was there. He ran off once she blew the whistle. Farmers came, but to no avail. The next time Zimmo tried again. She blew her whistle, and only some farmers came. They sent her back to shepard school. The third time he decided to come out to attack. Betsy gave him her pie that she had. That stopped him from attacking. He became friends, and a shepard himself. The farmers apologized to Betsy.

           

My Reaction to the book:

            The plot surprised me. It was not like the boy who cried wolf version. It was good in its own way. I found it weird that the wolf became friends in the end. This book can apply to bullies. Sometimes all they need is positive attention and they will stop attacking, justy like the wolf did when he was fed.

                       

Potential Problems:

None

                       

Recommendations:

For those who liked The Boy Who Cried Wolf, this is a good choice. It is similar, yet different. The lamb’s cartoon dialogue makes the story enhanced. The plot is simple and easy for its target age to read.