Fish by L. S. Matthews

ISBN: 978-0-440-42021-7
Delacorte Press, NY 2004
183 pages

Plot Summary

War has broken out and Tiger and Tiger's parents must flee the place where they have been relief workers. They use a guide with a donkey to get them over the mountains so they can cross the border but Tiger has found a live fish in this drought-stricken land and won't leave it behind. The fish must be taken along with them in a pot as part of their meager supplies. It seems impossible that there is enough water left in the pot for the fish to survive but, miraculously, it seems to be doing fine.
This modern-day fable is a story of hope in the face of insurmountable odds.

Critical Evaluation

This is a tale for everyone. Who is Tiger? We don't know his nationality or race or even his gender and that's just the way the author intended it. I thought Tiger was a boy and one of my co-workers thinks she's a girl - and it doesn't matter. This is a lovely, global message of hope amid wars, droughts and famines - the fish can survive all of these catastrophes.

Reader's Annotation

Tiger's family, relief workers, need to flee the land where they've been helping the people as war has broken out. Somehow they must traverse the mountains in this parched land and reach the border. Will Tiger's new pet fish be able to survive the journey?

Author Info

L.S. Matthews won the English Fidler award for the best first novel for children for Fish, a wonderful allegorical tale. She said that the book was written during a particularly silly time for her to be writing a book as she should have been concentrating on selling her home and taking care of her two children. However, she had 3 koi fish and she was worried about where they would go when she sold her home. She had a dream about it - and wrote Fish based upon her dream. She also said that she "wouldn't write a book which didn't challenge the reader with questions which maybe aren't easily answered. I have to write books which at least have the potential to effect changes." L.S. Matthews has just released a new book called After the Flood.

Genre

modern day fable

Curriculum Ties

World History classes could have an excellent discussion with this book.

Booktalking Ideas

1. Why do you think Tiger's parents allow him/her to bring along a fish on such a perilous journey?

2. Discuss how Tiger's father doesn't trust the donkey's sure footing and sinks into the muddy river.

Reading/ Interest Level

Some of the reviews say this book is for age 10+; others 12 and up. I don't think that younger kids would understand the story but it is definitely a wonderful fable for high school, college and adults.

Challenge Issues

Not really any; just that the book tackles serious subjects like war, famines and drought.

Why I Included This Book

I thought this was a wonderful, uplifting story that would appeal to all ages. Fish has garnered rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic (SLJ, Publishers Weekly) and been translated into many languages. It also received many awards including ALA Notable Books 2005 and was nominated for a Carnegie Medal and Lamplighter Award.