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Summary
Summary
In this stunning conclusion to the JULIA GILLIAN trilogy, Julia Gillian discovers the hardest part of being human: to love what is mortal.
Sixth grade is proving to be less than dreamy: Julia Gillian's new homeroom teacher is serious about school work and has the class "controlling for variables." Julia Gillian has been paired for the Reading Extravaganza with Fergus Cannon, whose distaste for reading rivals her own. Worst of all, her beloved dog, Bigfoot, is getting old. Soon, Julia Gillian will learn that no matter how hard she tries to control for variables and keep her lifelong companion safe, she cannot prevent the inevitable. Luckily, her bounty of steadfast friends and family see her through the toughest time of her life.
Author Notes
Alison McGhee lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
She is the recipient of a Loft-McKnight Fellowship, a Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship, a 1995 Editor's Fiction Prize from Snake nation, and a Pushcart Prize honorable mention. Her title Bink and Gollie, Two for One with Kate DiCamillo made The New York Times Best Seller List for 2012.
(Publisher Provided)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-In this third book in the series, Julia starts sixth grade. Referred to as "Sixlets," the new middle schoolers live in fear of the "Crazy Eights," two years their senior. Julia's teacher, Mr. Lamonte, says, "You are now middle schoolers.. Controlling for variables will help you manage your many new responsibilities. Let's all try to rise to the occasion, shall we?" Julia takes his "controlling for variables" suggestion to heart, even finding ways to avoid the scary third-floor bathroom where the eighth graders hang out. But, from her aging dog to her sullen, third-grade reading buddy to a (seemingly) hostile "Crazy Eight" nemesis, Julia soon learns that some things can't be controlled, no matter how hard you try. A classroom and family story told with an engaging rhythm and quiet humor, this novel has an urban setting and a cast of interesting personalities. Fairly large print, lots of conversation, and numerous cartoon drawings make it so accessible that even Julia's book-hating Reading Buddy could find it appealing. Fans of the series will certainly want to read this, but it's also a winner on its own.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
From Julia Gillian (and the Art of Knowing) (rev. 7/08), fans will remember "the green book," the nexus of angst for J.G. because it told the sad story of a beloved old dog, much like her dog Bigfoot, who grew older and frailer with every page. Here, in this third installment -- following Julia Gillian (and the Quest for Joy) (rev. 5/09) -- McGhee has, essentially, written the green book. The result is tender and lovely and reinforces wisdom voiced by Julia Gillian's friend Enzo in the first volume: "A couple of years ago, at a time when Julia Gillian was scared, Enzo...told her that the only way out was through." Enzo's advice applies to almost every situation -- from Julia Gillian's foray into middle school (where she and her sixth-grade compatriots go to comical lengths to avoid using the third-floor bathroom, realm of the eighth graders) to her predicament with her third-grade "reading buddy" Fergus, a diehard anti-reader. McGhee adeptly braids these plot strands together with the inevitably heartbreaking truth that, as hard as Julia Gillian tries to "control for variables," she can't save Bigfoot. A moving sketch by Kozjan shows girl and dog curled together on the table at the vet, the girl singing to the dog about their life together. In the end, Julia -- channeling Enzo, channeling Shakespeare -- says it all: "It was hard to be human and to love what was mortal. But it was beautiful, too." christine m. heppermann (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Now in sixth grade, Julia Gillian copes with her fear of eighth graders, a stubborn third-grade reading buddy as reading-averse as she is and her dog Bigfoot's last illness. Readers who began the series with Julia Gillian (and the Art of Knowing) (2008) and who sympathized with the nine-year-old who feared finishing a book in which she knew the dog would die will now find themselves in a similar situation. Perhaps, like Julia Gillian (who always uses both her first and last names), her readers will now be older and more able to cope. Although it refers to events of the first two books, this moving story stands on its own. Supporting characters are smoothly introduced. The climax at the veterinarian's office is gentle but realistic, and Julia Gillian's realization that everyone has problems is appropriate. Any reader who has lost a pet will recognize the family's grief and appreciate the support friends, strangers and her surprisingly sympathetic reading buddy provide. Kozjan's frequent drawings (final art not seen) add a cheerful touch. (Fiction. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
