Fish

Tiger's narrative voice travels lightly, but penetratingly over the horrors of war and then to loving relationships among her traveling companions. Matthews is expert with the telling detail. Well done!

Told in first person by a child is an excellent road for explaining the turmoil of the world. When his humanitarian aid parents are forced to leave the impoverished country because of war, Tiger is determined to save a fish he rescued from a puddle. Their escape is hair raising and Tiger's naive narrative is able to convey the fear without causing nightmares in the young audience for which it is intended.

Fabulous story about a young boy, nicknamed Tiger, and his parents who are aid workers working in a drought affected country that is being devastated by war. When teh war comes to their village the family is forced to flee, but not before Tiger rescues a fish he found in the mud of a dried up pool. Thus begins a terrible trip the family must make, with the aid of the Guide, to freedom.
L.S Mathews writes with sensitivity and clarity to weave a story with many layers.

FISH is a story about a young character that take responsibility for the life of a fish that is struggling in a mud puddle. Although Tiger, the character, is being forced to leave the village, the fish is still important and Tiger decides to do anything it takes to save the fish. The important moral of the story is that even though saving the life of a small fish seems absurd to some people, Tiger is still making a difference and it doesn't matter how small the difference is, as long as you are dedicated to your actions.

I really like this story because it really hits home for me. I am very sensitive to animal life and it shows that even though Tiger could have focused on his own life, he still took responsibility and saved the life of a show more dying fish.

This book would be a good choice when studying animal life or responsibility. Even though the story did not clearly tell whether Tiger was male or female, it makes it easier for students to place themselves in Tiger's shoes and see what it would feel like to make a difference. show less

A child and her family (as I recall both the child's age and gender are not spelled out to the reader) leave the town where they have been living as war encroaches. Again I cannot remember if it was spelled out but it seems clear that the parents were missionaries. While packing the child acquires a fish to take with them on their journey -- amazing the fish, which seemed large manages to fit inside the available spaces.
I found the tone rather charming and mysterious, but the religious subplot left me often confused.

A child (of indeterminate gender) is forced to flee a war-torn country with their parents who are aid workers. On Amazon one reviewer claims this is a thinly veiled Christian allegory....

From LETTERBOX LIBRARY:
My story starts the day I found the fish, struggling for life in a dried-out puddle. The day we had to leave our home behind for ever, because of the fighting and danger. Age 8+. Paperback 183pp

Price: £4.99

As fighting closes in on the village where Tiger's parents have been helping the villagers, the three and a mysterious guide set out on a difficult and dangerous journey to safety. Tiger brings along a fish which he found in a puddle and the guide provides a donkey who seems to know the safest ways to travel.