Show Terms in this set (7)Sets with similar termsFlickr Creative Commons ImagesSome images used in this set are licensed under the Creative Commons through Flickr.com. Justin Denzel has been intrigued with history and caves for many years. As a young man he worked at the American Museum of Natural History, where he studied prehistoric cultures. Later, while training for the Army in the days before World War II, he explored the mammoth underground caves of Tennessee. Mr. Denzel's first professional writing experience came in Alaska, where he wrote and edited a periodical, The Alaskan. During World War II he wrote for Nature magazine and for Stars and Stripes. Mr. Denzel is the author of many books for young readers, including the well-loved Boy of the Painted Cave, published in 1988 by Philomel. He lives in Clifton, New Jersey, with his wife, Josephine. copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
Open Preview See a Problem?We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Boy of the Painted Cave by Justin Denzel. Thanks for telling us about the problem.
Friend ReviewsTo see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Reader Q&ATo ask other readers questions about Boy of the Painted Cave, please sign up. Popular Answered Questions
Battleofthebooks1 This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)[One is that there's a taboo on having wolf-dogs, because the leader Volt was
attacked by one and does not like them, so Tao has to keep it a secret. Another is that he wants to be a cave painter, but he can't because only the "chosen ones" can, and he is not one of these chosen ones, so he runs away from his tribe. Another that could be one is that Graybeard, the Cave Painter for all the tribes, teaches Tao how to paint, but Graybeard is old and sickly, so that's a problem. Another problem is that Tao doesn't know who his parents are, so he also tries to find that out,
Hope this helped, even though it's a year late. (hide spoiler)] Community Reviews· 838 ratings · 107 reviews Start your review of Boy of the Painted Cave
This is a wonderful story about a boy living in the prehistoric era who wants to be a cave painter despite the fact that he is lame and this would make him unable to be a Chosen
One. My kids and I (age 9) are doing a prehistory unit for our homeschooling, and both my kids and I eagerly looked forward to reading this story every day. It held just the right amount of historical detail and adventure to make this a really fun read. I'd recommend reading this if you're looking for a short, fun, histo I'd recommend reading this if you're looking for a short, fun, historical fiction read, written at the middle grade level.
Nov 28, 2017 Lily rated it liked it pretty good boring at some times and did not always make sense but when it did it was good and kept me hooked.
This another book I read to my 6th grade ELA/SS classes. It’s not easy to find a book for 11 and 12 year olds set in prehistoric times, so this one fits the bill. My students love it and we finish by doing our own cave paintings. Pretty fun!
May 01, 2016 Rena Sherwood rated it really liked it
Better than the entire series of Jean Auel's M. Earth's Children series combined. To be fair, Denzel's book came out 8 years after The Clan of the Cave Bear and 6 years after The Valley of Horses but he stuck more to the everyday struggles of a young cave man rather than the everynight sexcapades that Auel centered on. Believe it or not, the lack of sex made for a much better book. The protagonist is easy to like. The world created is believable. There are cool animals to "ooo" and "ahh" over. Th Better than the entire series of Jean Auel's M. Earth's Children series combined. To be fair, Denzel's book came out 8 years after The Clan of the Cave Bear and 6 years after The Valley of Horses but he stuck more to the everyday struggles of a young cave man rather than the everynight sexcapades that Auel centered on. Believe it or not, the lack of sex made for a much better book.The protagonist is easy to like. The world created is believable. There are cool animals to "ooo" and "ahh" over. The protagonist's problems are still the same problems we have today -- trying to get along with a bunch of assholes who want to sacrifice you to their god(s). The only big problem I had with the book was that there was confusion about tarpans and horses. Back when this was published, it was thought that Prezwalkski's horse were one of four horse types that created all of the root stock of the domesticated horse. It is now known that Prezwalski's horse is a different species entirely (different chromosome number) and that tarpans may have added more to the domesticated horses of today than originally thought. A minor quibble, but STILL ...
Jun 10, 2018 Amanda rated it liked it The story was well enough written, but I didn't care for the message of not following leadership, forging your own path, following your dreams even if they're taboo, etc. I realize in this instance there weren't good reasons for the taboos, but I think that part will be largely lost on children ... especially since the whole "follow your heart/dreams" is overly enforced in society. I'm not anti-following-passions, but given the over-emphasis on this today at large I think the part of the book th The story was well enough written, but I didn't care for the message of not following leadership, forging your own path, following your dreams even if they're taboo, etc. I realize in this instance there weren't good reasons for the taboos, but I think that part will be largely lost on children ... especially since the whole "follow your heart/dreams" is overly enforced in society. I'm not anti-following-passions, but given the over-emphasis on this today at large I think the part of the book that tries to balance that will be overlooked by most readers. That aside, the story was just ok and not particularly compelling. ...more
Sep 02, 2012 Melissa rated it it was amazing The book started off slow. Finally after the boy started getting some training the book finally picked up speed and development of a plot. In all a very interesting book, and I would recommend for preteens to read.
It was hard to me at the first time but it was good, I liked the main character becoming a perfect painter. However, it was little bit disappointing at the last chapter cause i felt the story was getting too fast.
Aug 03, 2017 Katie rated it liked it We read this to accompany Story of the World Volume 1. I really enjoyed this especially the bond between Ram and Tao. It reminded me, in ways, of Where the Red Fern Grows. I also liked the independence and capability it showed Tao having, in spite of his disability.
Sep 28, 2018 Kelly rated it it was amazing In the novel Boy of the Painted Cave by Justin Denzel, it jumps into the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain and dates back to about 18 to 20 thousand years ago. The story starts out with a young boy named Tao, who is obsessed with cave painting and drawing. Unfortunately, the clan
leader Volt, forbids cave painting unless you're a clan cave painter, like Graybeard. (We’ll find out about him later in the review.) Tao is sent out hunting, and meets a young wolf dog who he names Ram. Tao is close to Ram In the novel Boy of the Painted Cave by Justin Denzel, it jumps into the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain and dates back to about 18 to 20 thousand years ago. The story starts out with a young boy named Tao, who is obsessed with cave
painting and drawing. Unfortunately, the clan leader Volt, forbids cave painting unless you're a clan cave painter, like Graybeard. (We’ll find out about him later in the review.) Tao is sent out hunting, and meets a young wolf dog who he names Ram. Tao is close to Ram because they hunt together and keep each other company. It is hard for Tao because Volt does not allow wolf dogs in his clan, so Tao must be secret about his hunting with Ram. Tao then meets Graybeard, who is a shaman. (Graybeard
travels from clan to clan painting caves.)
Sep 28, 2018 Luke Day rated it it was amazing The novel Boy of the Painted Cave by Justin Denzel takes
place in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain, eighteen to twenty thousand years ago during prehistoric times. The main character is Tao who has a dream of being a cave painter, doesn't want to help hunt, he also has a bad foot. Tao wants to be a cave painter but the clan people only let chosen ones picked from the spirits be cave painters but he also struggles with not knowing what happened to his parents.
I've always enjoyed reading books about indigenous people. That's why I wrote one myself--Sons of The People. Of course, this book intrigued me in the way that the actual cave paintings of Lascaux have fascinated those who have seen them. How did they put so much life into the animals that ran across those rocky walls? The artists of those paintings might have been the hunters, but more likely it would have been someone who possessed a particular talent for that art. Maybe a shaman. Or maybe a y I've always enjoyed reading books about indigenous people. That's why I wrote one myself--Sons of The People. Of course, this book intrigued me in the way that the actual cave paintings of Lascaux have fascinated those who have seen them. How did they put so much life into the animals that ran across those rocky walls? The artists of those paintings might have been the hunters, but more likely it would have been someone who possessed a particular talent for that art. Maybe a shaman. Or maybe a young boy who wanted to paint the animals rather than participate in the killing of them. Tao boldly leaves his people to follow what his heart tells him to do. The story is action-filled with interesting characters and a wonderful wolf-dog. ...more
Dec 30, 2021 Emma M. rated it it was amazing Tao has always been different from the rest of his clan and being
different can be incredibly dangerous. He feels the urge to create pictures and longs to become a cave painter. Unfortunately that is forbidden as he is not a direct descendent of the Chosen Ones and if he is discovered he could be killed. Graybeard, the current Shaman, discovers Tao's secret and begins to help Tao create pictures that come alive. I love that this little novel examines, roots for, and celebrates the needs some of u I love that this little novel examines, roots for, and celebrates the needs some of us
have always had, the need to create, the need to question, and even rebel. I really loved this little novel and think it may be the best of the prehistoric bunch!
I thought that this book was not the best but still an intresting book. It is about a boy who finds a wolf and they become best friends. But the tribe he is from it is taboo or also known as evil to befriend a wolf. They are cnsidered evil. In this book the tribe constanly tries to kill the dog. I thought it was a good story plot but the part that bored me was the book always brought the characters to spots that were not that important to the story.
I see why teachers would choose this book for character analysis and as a solid classroom read. I feel like Ms. Paver’s “Chronicles of Ancient Darkness”did it better, but that book series was more mystical so maybe not
what teachers are looking for with this topic. This story of Tao’s coming of age, his journey to follow his dream of painting caves like his idol Greybeard, and his wolf-dog Ram was very sweet. It is a perfect one for 5th-6th grade readers.
It's was OK for a children's book. I read it to deconstruct for a 6th grade class, and I think in that regard it was enjoyable. Other than that it was very much just get through it must of the time, we a few exciting bits here and there. Very basic. Though with the right direction it could make a great movie. It's was OK for a children's book. I read it to deconstruct for a 6th grade class, and I think in that regard it was enjoyable. Other than that it was very much just get through it must of the time, we a few exciting bits here and there. Very basic. Though with the right direction it could make a great movie. ...more
Mar 11, 2018 Janice rated it really liked it Tao of the Valley
People wants to be a cave painter, but it is forbidden by his clan unless you are the son of someone important like the chief. He is an orphan with a malformed foot. He is told about his mother, but not his dad. He secretly breaks several clan taboos in order to fulfill his destiny. Great read for kids (both boys and girls like it). Also good for discussions.
I am teaching this book to the sixth grade class. I love the language and vocabulary used in the writing. The figurative language is rich for many instructional lessons as well as to enjoy as a reader. The students also enjoyed reading about Tao and are now very interested in our unit of early man in history. I’m so glad there is a historical fiction book in this time period.
Aug 16, 2018 NoahK rated it it was amazing The main character is very fierce and he is very brave to live by himself in the wilderness. He gets to learn a lot of things but also faces obstacle such as fighting the Samurai. He is fully exposed to the wild and enjoys hunting animals down. Along the way, he makes friends with a pet.
Nov 28, 2018 Kim rated it liked it I read it aloud to my class because we were studying pre-history. It wasn't bad. For an older book (published in 1988) there wasn't anything cringey. There were some good hunting scenes that some of my students loved. It went a little long at places, but overall it was a hit. I read it aloud to my class because we were studying pre-history. It wasn't bad. For an older book (published in 1988) there wasn't anything cringey. There were some good hunting scenes that some of my students loved. It went a little long at places, but overall it was a hit. ...more
Oct 20, 2019 Reyhaneh rated it it was amazing Read this to keep up with what my 6th graders were reading and loved it! Short, exciting, full of imagery of the Ice Age and kept me yearning for more. Will definitely be looking up more books about that period.
Cool Hi
Jun 30, 2018 Jaylie rated it liked it It was nothing very special. Some parts seemed pointless.
A great book about overcoming what people think you cannot do. Short, every scene belongs. It's also nice to return to this book as an adult. A great book about overcoming what people think you cannot do. Short, every scene belongs. It's also nice to return to this book as an adult. ...more
Very good! Very good short read if you enjoy books from this era! A young boy overcomes
many stigmas to fulfill the life he was destined for!
Mar 23, 2019 Kiana De rated it it was amazing This book was absolutely amazing, I read it with my core class! It was a great way to learn the relationship between a dog and a boy, and be able to learn about history in more of a fun way!
May 02, 2019 Susan Strayer rated it it was amazing I listened to this with my kids and we all really enjoyed a step back in time.
Sep 21, 2019 Janet rated it really liked it My rating is based on the reaction of my 7th graders when I read it to them every year. They love the story aspect and I love that it teaches them a little about life in the Paleolithic Era!
Read this with my sixth graders as part of an early humans unit for history class. Engaging enough for the age range while still relatable to the content. Other books in the seriesRelated ArticlesWith more than 4.75 million votes cast and counted, the 13th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards are now official. Launched in 2009,... Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Why does Graybeard help Tao?Greybeard helped
He taught Tao methods of painting and how to keep his paintings hidden in the cave, because cave painting was considered taboo, except to those who are sacred such as the shaman. Greybeard soon realized Tao was very talented, and began teaching him more thoroughly.
How do the other clan members feel about Tao?What's more, Volt, the clan leader, violently despises Tao. And when the other clan members discover Tao's secret talent, they cast him out into the wilderness alone. There, he befriends a wild wolf dog named Ram, and the mysterious Graybeard, who teaches him the true secret of the hunt.
What is the theme of the Boy of the Painted Cave?Despite his disability, Tao believes in his own strength and abilities. He values his dreams and is willing to step outside of the confines of society to pursue them. Importantly, Tao thrives on his own. His instincts serve him well.
|
How old is Tao Boy of the Painted Cave?
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 ShotOnMac Inc.
