Rescue Josh McGuire - Realistic Fiction

Rescue Josh McGuire

Author: Ben Mikaelsen

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Realistic Fiction

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Copyright Date: 1991

Number of Pages: 272

Awards: Spur Award for Best Juvenile Fiction

Grade Level: 5-7

Summary:

Ever since Josh's older brother, Tye, was killed in a car crash his life has been a nightmare that he can't wake up from. Josh's father has been drinking excessively and insists on dragging Josh along on every hunting trip. Try as he might, Josh can never quite live up to the perfect image of Tye in his father's eyes. On one hunting trip Josh's father orphans a bear cub and Josh can't leave it to die in the wilderness. Josh finds the bear cub and brings it home but is afraid the cub will be turned over to a research lab. To save the cub, that he names Pokey, Josh runs away from home and heads on a journey that will change his life forever.

Use in Teaching:

There are many great ways to use Rescue Josh McGuire in the classroom. A fun activity would be to have students create news stories reporting some events that have taken place in the book. Students would need to pick an event from the book and write an article in their own words. Students would also need to create an illustration to go with their story.  

Newspaper Article Template

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot with includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: A great adventure plot that engages the reader throughout the book.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: The characters are very well rounded, realistic, and believable. The McGuire family could well be your neighbors.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being too slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing moves along nicely as the story of Josh’s rescue unfolds.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books and are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: A great book to engage students in reading. Highly recommended for a 5-7th grade classroom.