No Time For Piewhacket

by Robert James

No Time For Piewhacket engages middle school readers. Story is told through Small Dog Tweeters' eyes. She makes a wish for a new friend, and immediately comes to regret her decision. She enlists a motley crew of animals to deal with her feline dilemma. Tweeters' next-door neighbor, Freddy Ferret, has blueprint plans for building an elaborate balloon ship. They assemble the project to escape from a Siamese cat called Piewhacket. Parents, grandparents and educators will enjoy sharing this fun-to-read story that incorporates values, work ethics and vocabulary. The story presents numerous learning opportunities for children ages 11 to 14.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads' First Reads Giveaway. I'm a huge fan/reader of YA and Children's Literature so the tone and theme of this book was okay by me. What I didn't like was all of the definitions throughout the novel. I understand their purpose, but I felt in most cases they were unnecessary. What really annoyed me, though, was the inconsistency of their use and the fact that often the words were not properly explained or defined, or even spelled. If you are going to use a literary tool, it needs to be consistent. After the first few pages the definitions started to become more distracting than anything else.

Ignoring the definitions throughout, I will say the story was cute. I like the idea of animals living this adventurous life (at least to them), and I enjoyed the different animal characters. Also, the story was fun, a little cliche, but fun. My only other complaint would be that the beginning spent too much time introducing all these characters all at once. I think it would have been better if the characters had been introduced more gradually when they actually appeared in the story, and if the story started right off, instead of spending ten pages or so describing each individual character.

The back of the book says it is meant for middle school children, and as someone who has surveyed and discussed with middle school kids their favorite books, babysat a lot of kids that age, and has a brother that age, I can say I definitely don't think this book is aged appropriately. I think it would fit better in the 8-10 year old range which would be 3rd-5th grade level. I recommend this book for parents to give to kids who want to help their child expand vocabulary (for the most part it is accurate), and for kids who enjoy books about animals as main characters.

[Lucy Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads Program.

While obviously not in the intended audience I still found this to be a fun little book.

I think the suggested age range (struggling middle school students) is a few years out as I believe they would find the plot a bit simple and childish. I do however think this book would be excellent for advanced younger readers.

I loved the idea of having the tricky words explained at the bottom of the page, its a great way to improve vocabulary and also make the book more challenging. However, while I am aware that the definitions given are contextual rather than a dictionary definitions but some are somewhat misleading.
For example Page 20's
"For predators, however, those picturesque lands provided savory hunting grounds"
defines savory as tasty. This doesnt particularly fit the context, nor is this the most common definition of savory (of food) belonging to the category which is salty or spicy rather than sweet)

I also though some of the vocabulary was unnecessarily obscure - tintinnabulation!? discombobulated!?

Overall however I loved the idea and I enjoyed the book. I'm planning to read it to my daughter (6) since she would love the story line but I think the language is a bit tough for her to handle alone even with the explanations at the bottom of each page!
I hope to see more books like this one from Robert James in the future.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a a great little tradebook for middle-schoolers, enjoyable and educational. James has written the universal story of "be careful what you wish for, as you might just get it."

Tweeters is a small dog who wants an equal. When she learns about a magic genie, who only grants one wish, she takes her time deciding exactly what she wants: a four legged equal, who can be her equaltrusted friend. And the genie grants her wish. Presto! In comes Piewhacket, a siamese cat. But wait! That can't be right...That's a cat! She wanted a dog, didn't she?

Suddenly, all of Tweeter's friends pitch in to help get rid of that cat. Will they rid themselves of Piewhacket? Or, will she learn to live with her wish? Has the genie really granted the wish or a lesson in what friendship is?

James inserts a wonderful collection of words that will challenge the reader, but in case the reader needs help, the vocabulary words are listed in foot notes at the end of each page. By having the words at the bottem of each page, the struggling reader can easily access difficult words without having to search a list at the end of the book (although i would have wanted one at both places.) Parents, grandparents, and educators will all find this book useful in prompting children to read.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals are the story and it is good,too. The best feature about this little book, however, is that it has a running dictionary/reference tool on each page. Students are sometimes (now THAT is a misnomer, to say the least) lazy in their reading practices and when they come across a word or phrase they don't understand or recognize, they simply skip over it. This causes their vocabulary to suffer as well as their comprehension of the story.

No Time for Piewhacket has the answer. Encounter a phrase you don't understand? Simply look at the numbered reference at the bottom of the page; and voila, there it is. The simple fact is that the author anticipates the student's need and references lots of phrases and words.

This is a simple story of non-threatening size that the non-reader might stick with.

I received a copy of this book in the Goodreads.com First-Reader Giveaway.

[Robert James]

Review written by Writeway (Kindle Edition)

No Time for Piewhacket will prove to be a fun read not only for children but adults. The story centers on a funny little dog names "Small Dog Tweeters" and her quest for friendship. She and her companion animal buddies, ranging from a ferret to, of all things, a crab, plot an escape when an unwelcome house guest arrives -- in the form of a Siamese cat. The animal characters are delightful, and their personalities come shining through. Parents will be happy to know that this is an educational book, as well, one that draws attention to vocabulary but also causes the youthful reader to think about some of life's little )and not so little) challenges. Thoroughly engaging and a must read.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through a First Reads giveaway.

The main character was very expressive and introspective and I liked the conversational voice. I felt like I was a friend hearing the story, not a reader.

I think that the vocabulary might push the envelope for some kids, but the author chose to put the contextual definitions in the footnotes. Rather than sounding stilted the vocabulary only adds to the reader's understanding of the narrator's personality. The book would be most appreciated by young advanced readers because it has an age appropriate story line, with lots of character depth and challenging vocabulary.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'll be really short and straight to the point with this review.... cute story but super annoying for the fact that the definitions on the bottom of the pages were not always actual definitions and secondly that if this is meant for middle schoolers than I am afraid for what the world may come to if this generation is only reading at this level in junior high.... to me this should be for a way younger age group.... maybe 4th grade? before?? i am not sure but surely not middle schoolers :-/

[Janics · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to have the opportunity to read this in manuscript form. In many ways it reminded me of "The Giving Tree", certainly this book can be given to an adult to read for pure enjoyment. It is a charming story. All in all I cannot say enough good things about this book.

[John Wasik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will be more than entertained with this animal story. They'll see characters that teach them everyday lessons about how to get along, what to do when confronted with adversity and the surprise of what happens to bullies!

[Tabitha Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for young readers. Very quick read and there are alot of lessons built into the story-line. I enjoyed it and have told friends, with kids, about it already.
Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Angief · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book and learning tool for children. It teaches great lifeskills and also amazing for traching vocabulary as welll woth all the notes at the bottom of the pages. Using animals also catches children's attention. Great job Mr. James.

I received this book free on GoodReads.

[Kat (Lost in Neverland)]

The cat on the cover looks just like my cat!

[Laima]

I won this book from Goodreads as a FirstReads giveaway. Review upon completion.