After the death of his mother, Rob and his father move south to escape the painful, unspeakable memories that haunt them both. But in one extraordinary day, Rob finds a tiger locked in a cage and meets Sistine Bailey – a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other and ultimately become friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things- like memories, heartache, and tigers – can’t be locked up forever.

The Tiger Rising was read by Dylan Baker
Dylan has numerous film credits including The Cell, Thirteen Days, Celebrity and The Tailor of Panama. He has earned Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for his role in the Broadway production of Eastern Standard and an Obie Award for his performance in the Off-Broadway production of Not About Heroes.

What do you think?

Do you have an emotional “suitcase”? What do you keep in there? Pick one thing that’s in your “suitcase”. Write about what it is and how it got in there. Perhaps it might help to let it out – even for a little while. You can always put it back if you decide you’re not finished with it yet.

Sistine calls Willie May a prophetess. Do you think Sistine is right? What characteristics does Willie May have that might be considered “prophet like”? Why do you think Sistine sees these qualities as unusual? What does Rob gain from his time with Willie May? What does he get from that relationship that he doesn’t get elsewhere?

Online Adventures Where should you go from here?

The publisher Candlewick Press has an excellent reader’s guide for The Tiger Rising. Visit the website for a more in depth look at the story.

Kate DiCamillo won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher award this year for Because of Winn Dixie. You can look at the top ten final vote totals from 2002 or review the list of DCF candidates for this coming year. Read as many of these books as you can this winter and ask your school librarian for a voting form in the spring of 2003. You could help pick the winner!

From the CHR Librarian

If you like Kate DiCamillo’s style, read her Newbery Honor and Dorothy Canfield Fisher award winner, Because of Winn-Dixie (Candlewick Press, 2001).

Grace Greene from The Vermont Department of Libraries suggests you take a look at…

Couloumbis, Audrey. Getting Near To Baby. Putnam, 1999.
Although thirteen-year-old Willa Jo and her Aunt Patty seem to be constantly at odds, staying with her Uncle Hob helps Willa Jo and her younger sister come to terms with the death of their family’s baby.

Haas, Jessie. Unbroken. Greenwillow, 1999.
Following her mother’s death in the early 1900’s, thirteen-year-old Harry lives on Aunt Sarah’s farm where an accident with her spirited colt leaves her a changed young woman.

Rylant, Cynthia. Missing May. Orchard, 1992.
After the death of the beloved aunt who has raised her, twelve-year-old Summer and her uncle Ob leave their West Virginia trailer in search of the strength to go on living.

Wallace-Brodeur, Ruth. Blue Eyes Better. Dutton, 2002.
When her older brother is killed in an accident, ten-year-old Tessa and her parents find it difficult to overcome their grief and return to living normally.