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    Bluefish
    Unavailable
    Bluefish
    Unavailable
    Bluefish
    Audiobook4 hours

    Bluefish

    Written by Pat Schmatz

    Narrated by Luke Daniels and Kate Rudd

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Thirteen-year-old Travis has a secret: he can't read. But a shrewd teacher and a sassy girl are about to change everything in this witty and deeply moving novel.

    Travis is missing his old home in the country, and he's missing his old hound, Rosco. Now there's just the cramped place he shares with his well-meaning but alcoholic grandpa, a new school, and the dreaded routine of passing when he's called on to read out loud. But that's before Travis meets Mr. McQueen, who doesn't take "pass" for an answer-a rare teacher whose savvy persistence has Travis slowly unlocking a book on the natural world. And it's before Travis is noticed by Velveeta, a girl whose wry banter and colorful scarves belie some hard secrets of her own. With sympathy, humor, and disarming honesty, Pat Schmatz brings to life a cast of utterly believable characters-and captures the moments of trust and connection that make all the difference.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateSep 13, 2011
    ISBN9781455822225
    Unavailable
    Bluefish
    Author

    Pat Schmatz

    Pat Schmatz has lived in the Wisconsin woods of her childhood after years in Michigan, northern California, and Minneapolis.  She's worked everywhere from a green bean canning factory to UC Berkeley campus. . . she's been a fitness consultant, legal secretary, stable hand, librarian, and forklift driver, all while continuing a lifelong quest for story in any form.

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    Reviews for Bluefish

    4/5

    81 ratings13 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      If you know me, or follow my postings, many of you know that I’m not. Realistic Fiction reader, however; this was a pretty descent story. Like most YA Realistic Fiction, this story began with one of the most depressing lives that our main character if forced to live. Yet, Travis manages to drudge through with no positive outlook. Grandpa is ruthless and poor Roscoe is lost or even dead. But then comes Velveeta, she’s loud, boisterous, unrelenting and funny. Her dreary yet comical outlook is what Travis needs, that an a teacher that can make a difference in Travis’ life.
      This story is not as predictable as many YA Realistic Fiction books and maybe the character of the teacher is one I can relate too, nonetheless it is a great tale for 6th graders, both male and female.
    • 4/5
      It took a few chapters to get drawn into this story, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Great characters, great story.
    • 2/5
      Illiteracy, alcoholism, bad parenting and great teaching. Characters are in 8th grade but the book reads like high school. Lots of references to The Book Thief, which you'd have to have read to understand the parallels the teacher is making to the particular student. Anti-bullying messages are great, but overall I think the book is going to get lost and it's not going to grab many students.
    • 3/5
      I liked McQueen, did get a little misty-eyed, but overall, wasn't quite up there with other books I have read this year.
    • 5/5
      Travis's life isn't going so well. He's moved far away from the swamp that was his sanctuary, he and his grandpa still aren't getting along, and worst of all, they had to leave Rosco behind. But when Travis starts classes at his new school, he meets the intriguing and dramatic Velveeta. Both Travis and Velveeta have secrets, but slowly, almost painfully, they begin to learn to trust each other.Though each character in this novel has their flaws, they are also loveable in spite of them; in some cases, because of them. Travis is portrayed as the very definition of "still waters run deep," a silent, almost gruff kid who nevertheless has tremendous heart. Opposite him is the lively Velveeta, whose outsized gestures hide a lot of pain. Secondary characters, such as Travis's alcoholic grandfather and his enthusiastic reading teacher, Mr. McQueen, are also fully drawn. There are many facets for kids to identify with: illiteracy, emotional abuse, bullying, and loss, but none of it is treated melodramatically. There are a few instances of bad language, but nothing a middle schooler hasn't heard before. An encouraging read for students who are learning to be their best selves. For grades 7 and up.
    • 3/5
      Travis and his grandfather just moved to a new town. Travis’s parents are dead, and his beloved dog disappeared before they moved. In his old school, they called Travis “Blue fish” for the slow reading group he was in. Here he hopes for better, but knows it’s only a matter of time. He meets outgoing Velveeta. Unknown to him, Velveeta’s home life is worse than his own. With the help of Velveeta and a dedicated teacher, Travis learns to face his learning problems.
    • 5/5
      Bluefish made me cry and laugh equally and without warning. Velveeta is the girl I always wanted to be- you know the one,slightly quirky but endearing because she can make anyone crack a smile. A girl who uses laughter masterfully to hide her pain. Travis is in great need of that laughter because he is wound tighter than a drum and can't share his secret with anyone. This refreshing book speaks to teens and adults. The characters are real and true emotionally. The insightful teacher and librarian remind us how important certain adults are to these types of kids. I will be ordering this for our library. Thanks to Candlewick Press for the advance copy. Look for it in September.
    • 3/5
      Travis has spent his high school years with his head down and staying off everyone's radar. When he moves to a new school in a somewhat small town, it seems that he attracts attention like a flame does for a moth. The town bullies see a new threat; the basketball players see a new ally; the rejects see a possible savior; the girls think he's cute but dumb; and the English teacher see a boy who somehow got left behind. Travis succeeds in keeping everyone away except for the colorful Velveeta who refuses to leave him alone until she discovers what makes him tick.I found Bluefish a rather nice read that will pair well with a lazy, summer day in the park if you need a break from those intense paranormal or moving contemporary reads. The two main characters - Travis and Velveeta - were a little hard to befriend at first. They seemed closed-off, and they each had quite the backstory that unfolded chapter by chapter. Primarily Bluefish was Travis's story, but Velveeta sneaks herself in at the end of each chapter with a journal entry - and honestly I fell more in love with Velveeta's quirky voice and wished I had seen more of it! As far as illiteracy goes, I was intrigued with how the English teacher tried to motivate Travis to learn - which, in turn, makes me want to read The Book Thief which got mentioned quite a few times.
    • 4/5
      If you know me, or follow my postings, many of you know that I’m not. Realistic Fiction reader, however; this was a pretty descent story. Like most YA Realistic Fiction, this story began with one of the most depressing lives that our main character if forced to live. Yet, Travis manages to drudge through with no positive outlook. Grandpa is ruthless and poor Roscoe is lost or even dead. But then comes Velveeta, she’s loud, boisterous, unrelenting and funny. Her dreary yet comical outlook is what Travis needs, that an a teacher that can make a difference in Travis’ life.
      This story is not as predictable as many YA Realistic Fiction books and maybe the character of the teacher is one I can relate too, nonetheless it is a great tale for 6th graders, both male and female.
    • 5/5
      Travis is starting in a new school for (7th grade? 8th grade?) after moving with his Grandfather, an alcoholic, into a smaller house in a new town. But Travis can't read. Velveeta has been at the school. She's outgoing, and unusual to the extreme. Right off, she takes a liking to Travis. These two primary characters makeup the core of the book, with Bradley, certifiably brilliant, and therefore an outcast for a different reason, as a secondary character. Travis is hypersensitive about his own illiteracy. Velveeta is hypersensitive about her trailer-trash family, such as it is. And Bradley just wants someone to be his friend. The three want to be friends, but their own insecurities constantly get in the way. But in spite of all their troubles, the reader can't help but love all three, and constantly root for them to see what we see from the beginning... that any of the three would be the best friend you could hope for.
    • 4/5
      This book was recommended to me by the staff at Vancouver Kidsbooks. It is the story of an unlikely friendship between struggling student Travis (Bluefish) and quirky, outgoing Velveeta. Though perhaps not so unlikely, as they both come from dysfunctional families and are both struggling with a recent loss. At its heart, this book is about taking the risk of opening up to another person and the powerful connections that can result. I love that the Velveeta character finds inspiration and the strength to persevere in her own difficult circumstances from the Liesel character in The Book Thief. This is the true magic of reading, and what we wish for all our students – that some aspect of their own lives will become clearer through a character in a book.
    • 5/5
      Bluefish by Pat Schmatz was quite the treat. Travis and his grandfather moved rather suddenly from their house into a much smaller one many miles away. He’s starting in a new school. On the first day, he’s standing by his locker when a brand new sneaker lands by his feet. Soon after he hears the uncoordinated thump of a one-shoed person coming down the hall, in the form of Bradley Whistler. He non-chalantly hands Bradley his shoe, trying not to make a scene. This whole incident was observed by Vida “Velveeta” Wojciehowski. Thus, the friendships are fromed. Each teen is coping with his/her world as best they can. But each teen has a secret that they dare not share with anyone, even with each other. In chapters alternating between third person Travis and first person Velveeta, Schmatz fleshes out the story of each one and how they help each other through their individual turmoil. Bluefish runs like a placid stream, ambling along to get to the point, but like lazing on a stream on a nice summer day, it’s a wonderful way to spend the day. Bradley, Travis and Velveeta are unique characters. Schmatz brings in a few ancillary characters that round out the story, provide the backdrop for the main story. They are essential for the plot. Bluefish is a rewarding and fun read for teens and adults alike. This is one book that parents and kids can read together and discuss and enjoy.
    • 3/5
      Travis and his grandfather just moved to a new town. Travis’s parents are dead, and his beloved dog disappeared before they moved. In his old school, they called Travis “Blue fish” for the slow reading group he was in. Here he hopes for better, but knows it’s only a matter of time. He meets outgoing Velveeta. Unknown to him, Velveeta’s home life is worse than his own. With the help of Velveeta and a dedicated teacher, Travis learns to face his learning problems.