 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Terrier: Beka Cooper, Book 1
- By Tamora Pierce
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Satisfying fantasy crime drama for tweens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that one of the book's major plot elements involves a serial murderer of children. While none of these murders are directly described, this is a society in which abuse, enslavement, and murder of children is common. Adult characters also die; some of these deaths may spark strong emotional reactions. Characters have a complex social system in which police ("Dogs") and criminals ("Rats") co-exist -- and can even be friends ... unless certain lines are crossed. Beka is a strong female character who works hard, is fiercely loyal, and always puts duty first.
What's the story?
Beka has grown up in the slums of the Lower City in Corus, the capital of Tortall. When she was 8, she helped the Lord Provost capture a gang of thieves, and he took her and her family under his wing. Now she's 16 and training to be one of the police guards (called Dogs) of the city. As a trainee (Puppy), she's assigned to the best Dogs in the Kennel, though they're reluctant to have her. But soon, through her unusual ability to hear the voices of the dead, she gets wind of two serial murderers: one hiring and then killing groups of men, the other kidnapping and murdering children. As she and her Dogs work to track down the murderers, gradually she earns their respect through her tenacity, which wins her the nickname "Terrier."
Is it any good?
Told by main character Beka through journal entries, this unusual combination of fantasy novel and police procedural is very satisfying. TERRIER is a rip-roaring good story with unusual elements, set in a world that author Tamora Pierce has been developing for decades. It makes a good introduction to Pierce's work for those who haven't read the earlier books.
Beka is a delightful heroine: painfully shy, modest yet exceptionally competent, eager to learn, and strongly empathetic toward the downtrodden people she grew up with. Pierce has made her reputation as a writer with strong heroines, which has turned her into a darling of those with feminist leanings. But it would be a mistake to pigeonhole her as a feminist author -- she's simply too good. Though boys are notorious for rejecting books with female protagonists, if they allow themselves to try this, they'll like it as much as Pierce's female fans will.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the society of Tortall. What era of real human history does it most resemble? In what other ways is it similar to and different from ours?
How can police and criminals be friends? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the relationships between the two groups in this society? What do you think of the way bribery is handled?
Families who've read the author's other books set in Tortall can talk about what makes this one different. Why do you think magic isn't the focus this time?
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AGE
Amazing!!
Tamora Pierce is possibly the best teen fantasy writer of all time. I personally like her better than J.K. Rolling. Combined with the perfect amount of humor, morals, just good reading, and mystery, this book lets you imagine what it would be like to be a "puppy" (a young policemen) in "ancient times". As the main character is a girl, Beka, this is an especially good and inspiring read for any young female. I encourage all ages to read this incredible book.
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AGE
I just finished reading this book and I can't wait to read the second one. It was an interesting story with strong characters and a nice paced plot that went at just the right speed. I'd suggest this book to any other fellow Tamora Pierce or fantasy lover!
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AGE
Great for older kids that can follow an in depth storyline...
Beka Cooper has been a great story.
Set back in the year 200 something... the scene is very different from where we are today.
I rate it 16+, due to the frequent mention of "snogging", and other mentions of relations without using the actual word. Beka even mentions she has done it once, but has no need to do it with the very handsome 20 yr old who is after her... since she herself is only 16. Other mentions of drinking... she get's drunk once... Great great story... but 16+ only!!!
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AGE
I loved this book
Tamora Pierce in my opinion is the best Teen Fantasy writer of all time. Her book "Beka Cooper Terrior" is my absolute all time favorite book by her.
Although I do believe it requires certain maturity, other than that it is a thrilling experiance.
This book is written in the journals of Beka Cooper. She tells the story of her addventures of becomeing a Dog, a person like a police officer those days. She is one of 5 children without a mother and father and was takin in my his majesty because of her heroic capture of criminals when she was only very young.
Beka learns alot about friendship, her mysterious bond with dust spinners, ghost pigions, pigions who carry the souls of the dead, and solves two of the biggest crimes ever to strike Tontrall.
Beka gets help from her trainers, friends and solves the mystery of the shadow snake, is he just a fairy tale or is someone now claiming the fear of the shadow snake as there own, and why is he killing inosent children in exchange for small tokens?
Beka also solves the ongoing crime of a power hungry, greedy cult putting people to death after they got him what he wanted, fire opals. They are precious gems that can hold magic and are very, very valuable.
Will Beka be able to do it on her own? Will she die? Who are these terriaable people commiting crimes? Why are they doing it? Will she ever become a Dog?
All of these questions will be answered but you have to read Tamora Pierce's book "Beka Cooper Terrior" in order to find out.
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AGE
:)
Very nice book. Every time I'm in P.E. and we run miles i think about Beka and Tamora Pierce's other characters' who are strong and just take the pain and keep going forward no matter what.
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AGE
Love it!
This is a pretty awesome book!! It has a lot of really strong female characters and Beka is a good role model. She knows what's right and is very brave. A lot of talk about murder and slavery, so may not be good for sensitive children. The only swearing really is in their own "language" so you won't understand they're swearing unless you read the glossary.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, great girl role models |
| Author: | Tamora Pierce |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Publication date: | October 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 581 |
| Hardcover price: | $18.95 |
| Paperback price: | $9.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 13 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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