Jim Ugly

by Sid Fleischman, Jos. A. Smith (Illustrations)

Part wolf and fiercely independent, Jim Ugly is a dog who answers to only one person. Unfortunately, that man -- Sam Bannock -- has disappeared. Rumor has it that Sam is dead, but to his son, Jake, something about that doesn't sound quite right. So Jake and Jim Ugly embark on a wild journey into the frontier West, where they find themselves pursued by a pretty lady, a theater troupe, and one very ornery yellow-legged man. And they all want to know one Where is Sam Bannock?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Dogs, Westerns, Mystery

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

As a children's book author Sid Fleischman felt a special obligation to his readers. "The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the author must deliver his or her best work." With almost 60 books to his credit, some of which have been made into motion pictures, Sid Fleischman can be assured that his work will make a special impact.

Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.

He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.

Reviews

[Madison B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading the book Jim Ugly I thought it was an emotional book about a kid that had a facial difference. But, I was wrong.
Sid Fleischiman wrote a book about how this 12 year old boy’s father died. But deep down in this 12 year old boy named Jake believed he is still alive. He was left a dog that was his fathers and nobody liked him because people called him a sheep killer. This dog's nickname from Jake was Jim Ugly, mainly because he wasn’t the cutest. He went all around on an adventure with Jim Ugly and they found an answer they were looking for, whether his father was dead or alive he found his place in life.
Though I liked this book there was one thing I didn’t like about the story line. Towards the end of the book it seemed like it was almost rushed. It was almost like there were a few major events at the beginning and in the middle, then at the end there were just a bunch of them all of a sudden. For these reasons I would suggest reading this book.

[wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sid Fleischmann never disappoints. The characters are always fun, bigger than life, and a joy to read aloud. There's always a twist, plenty of humor, and a compelling Old West setting. My students loved this short book.

[Mr Grande · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was not the worse book. But I thought Sid Fleischman can use more easy vocab because some words i dont understand but anyway i give it 3 star and Sid Fleischman keep u the good work!

[Anaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting but i do feel like their could have been more to the story. But in all i did really like the story

[Jared Linskens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Ugly was an alright book. Jake Bannock, 12, is told that his father is dead. Jake's father was an actor all across the country from San Francisco to New Orleans. They currently live on a small farm in a desert like area. It's very flat. His father is also accused of stealing diamonds and burying them somewhere. This is why it is such a big deal that Jake's father "died" because they want to know where the diamonds are so they can become rich. But there is still one key thing missing from the story, and that is Jim Amigo or as Jake calls him, Jim Ugly. Jim Ugly is Jake's dad's dog. He is wolf-like dog and can track a 2 day trail. Jake and Jim Ugly are on a mission to find Jake's dad. They need Jim Ugly to find the scent trail but when one wrong turn leads them to a dead end they are forced to find another way to find their dad. My opinion of this book is that it is a very good book and I would probably read it again. Three things that I liked about this book is that visual aids. Secondly, I liked how the author described the setting. Lastly, I liked how the author described the characters and made it interesting in every part of the book. There didn't seem to be spots where it got really boring and I didn't want to read anymore. One thing that I didn't like about this book is that it wasn't much of a challenge to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes and adventurous book.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake Bannock is searching for his father. A week ago he attended his funeral, but he’s not so sure his actor father is really dead. A lot of strange things have been happening in Blowfly, Nevada recently and Jake thinks his grown cousin and her gambler husband are holding something back from him. A theater producer from San Francisco and a bounty hunter have come around looking for his father and some stolen diamonds. And accompanying the producer was an actress that claims his father was about to marry her! If his father is alive Jake has only one way of finding him: his father’s dog, a big sandy mutt that’s part elkhound and part wolf. His father called him Jim or Amigo. Jim’s not a pretty dog, but his nose could track a man through a river. If his dad’s alive, Jake figures, Jim Ugly will find him.

Jake’s search with Jim lead him to encounters with a colorful cast of characters and a minor theatrical role for himself in this intriguingly plotted Western tale. It makes for a very satisfying short chapter book and a good mystery for young readers.

[Ryan Emond · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a fun book. What I like about the book is that diamonds were fed to the chickens. Jake was in a play. His dad was also part of that play and was a soldier. Jake and the dog are now happy and they do not need to keeping looking for their dad. It ended very happy and grateful.

Jake and Jim Ugly, the dog, are trying to figure out what really happened to their father. They are trying to see if it is true that his dad was thrown from the horse and killed or was it a lie. Was it to believe he was dead to get away to do a secret mission? On top of that, Jake and the dog are trying to find the secret diamonds that his dad stashed somewhere.

The setting is in Blowfly and Terkee.

I recommend this book to boys. Why? Boys have that go getter to do things and find things. It is a way to put your mind to it and see what is out there. It is treasure hunt and one way to put love to parents in use. See if you care about someone you love that is what you need to do. People should care for other people when people go missing.

[Jacob Earll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Name: Jacob Earll
Lexile:710
Book title: Jim Ugly

Personal Response
I like this book because Jim Ugly has to find out if his dad took the diamonds or not. I also liked this book because it was a mystery, and Jim and his friend try to figure out how sold the diamonds. Another reason is that Jim and his friend have to live on their own because both of their parents died.

Plot Summary
The plot is meant places. Like in town, at his a house, and at uncle frank's place. They were in town a lot like more than half the time. They weren't at uncle frank's that muck but they still went there kinda bit.

Recommendations
I recommend this to anyone that likes a mystery. Or someone that likes dogs. This book is an easy book but it is kind of long. But it is a good book to get a good read done in a little time. If you are an 8th grader or higher, you should read this book.

[whalesister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Sid Fleischman. Funny, moving, and every word well-placed. Fleischman is so good at those plot-twists--he's a magician after all--and has a sense of language that I love. Everything a boy loves in a book. My eight-year-old son, who can not sit still and doesn't love reading, tried to force me to read it to him in one sitting (the title grabbed him first), and settled for reading it to himself after I had to stop. Captain Underpants and other such crud isn't necessary to get kids reading once they discover Fleischman.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jim Ugly! Ah, it does my heart good to read a rollicking Sid Fleischman Western every now and then. One of the more versatile authors of twentieth century juvenile lit, in the same category as an Avi or Candace Fleming, 1987 Newbery Medalist Sid Fleischman always delivers with an entertaining Western tale, and Jim Ugly doesn't disappoint. If you want a fun reading experience with more vivid color than usual, slide this book off the shelf. I think you'll like what you get from it.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sid Fleischman has a knack for portraying strong-willed, resourceful protagonists, without taking their exploits beyond what their young age would allow them to handle.

Jake Bannock's adventures in the northern climes of frontier Nevada and California, pit him against greed and intrigue, as he gets caught up in a hunt for a missing treasure. But the treasure he is looking for sparkles much differently than do the baubles the adults around him seek.

Great fun! Clever storytelling.

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, if my book had the cover pictured here I would have thrown it back on the shelf in disgust.

Or maybe not, since I greatly enjoy this author. This book isn't very laugh-out-loud funny, like the McBroom stories, but it's a great story with a lot of creative details and dialogue.

[Trysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really like the end because it is so suprising that oops i can not tell you what happens you have to find out for your self. have fun reading.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a nice story, but it was a little boring.

[Johnny G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I was excited that our school had a new historical fiction book club book to choose, but this one didn't live up to the catchy title. Jim Ugly, the wolf-dog that is kind of adopted by Jake, helps Jake find his father, Sam Bannock, who faked his own death. It's a mystery that takes place in the old silver towns of the west (and San Francisco), but I never really felt like I was in the time period. The plot thickens when Jake joins up with a traveling play and acts as William Tell's son, but it's not really about the play, it's about finding his dad who abandoned him at a young age.

[Lyndon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad children's book, about a boy and his father's dog on the search for his dad. Published by Dell in 1992, this was part of the Yearling Books that were popular back then (authors included Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Paula Danziger, etc.). Nothing objectionable, bit of a mystery, gentle humor, well written. Not a classic, but if you happen on it in a used bookstore and have grade school children, it's worth a few bucks.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son loves Sid Fleischman's books. He rates them all 5 stars! Personally, my favorite that we've read together is By the Great Horn Spoon. The characters were just so endearing. This story was mostly engaging. I did enjoy watching the relationship between Jake and Jim Ugly grow as the story progressed. This book is quick and easy to read but wouldn't be my top choice to read again.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main charecter Jake Bannock father's

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little story!!!

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent choice for a 9 to 12 year old, also good for an old man with a short attention span looking for a quick read.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read to the kiddos. Any book with animals in it is a win! They were quite anxious to find out what happened to Jake's dad as well. The old west setting added to the interest, too.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about the West, an actor and his boy and wolfdog.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the story I was expecting

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story and short enough to use up an hour or less.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable easy read

[Joe Bolin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve read By the Great Horn Spoon!, this book will seem mighty familiar. Not Fleischman’s best, but a fun, very quick read.

[Rui Wen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Ugly is about a boy and his dog. Jake is a young boy, and his father is an actor. And his father passed away, and Jake attended the funeral, but Jake is confused and he thinks something is wrong. Jake doesn't think or believe that his father is dead, he thinks something is going on. Then he thinks that his cousin, and his cousin's wife has something hiding from him, and many other events. And the only way Jake thinks he can find his father, is using his father's dog, Jim. Jim is a ugly dog, that has a really good nose. So Jim Ugly, and Jake goes on a adventure to search for Jake's father.
I can kind of relate to Jake, because when I got lost when I was little, I felt really nervous and just scared. And I think that Jake is a very brave kid, if I were him, I would probably be crying, and I wouldn't know what to do. I also probably wouldn't go on a journey in search for my father, because I would be just really chickened out. I would recommend this book to everyone, because I think that it is page turner, and it is a nice story about a boy and his dog.

[Theophilus (Theo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good story for young boys. Young Jake inherits his father's half-wolf dog Amigo upon his father's death. He also gets a thrilling mystery. He finds out his father is not really dead but fleeing from a notorious bounty hunter. Jake's father was an actor in the late 19th century West. His brother, Jake's uncle faked his death when someone placed a bounty on Jakes's dad's for allegedly stealing a fortune in diamonds. Upon learning that his father is stil alive, Jake and Amigo, who Jake calls "Jim Ugly", set out to find him and learn why he deserted them and the real story of the so-called diamond theft. An easy-to-read bedtime book for young and old.

[Kasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I don't think the whole farm boy, back country setting did very much for Sid Fleischman in this novel for some reason. I wasn't really that excited to keep reading or finish. I much prefer the silliness of Fleishman's book the whipping boy.

[Keiji Orime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is realistic fiction and a adventure book. It is about a boy called Jake and A dog called Jim Ugly. I like the part when Jake and his dad meets at the San Francisco show because before Jake meets his dad, his dad ran away so I like the way the author wrote the part.