The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas Hardcover – August 6, 2013

I loved this book. It's a gentle tale about a boy called Stanley Potts who loves fish. The writing reminds me of Roald Dahl. It is recommended for ages 8 - 12, but I'd change that to 8-100. Would be great to read aloud too.

I read this to my 9 year old twin boys and it was such a fantastic story, so different and well written. We all enjoyed it immensely.

David Almond writes very interesting and memorable books. His children's literature debut, "Skellig", was a low key but compelling meditation on life, friendship, love and having the boldness to spread one's wings and fly. This book touches on the same issues, but it seems aimed for a slightly younger crowd, and is filled with more antic humor and knock-about action.But, because Almond's work always has a suggestion of the melancholy and gothic to it, and because his books cut very close to important questions of life and living, and because Almond is willing to take children right up to the edge of tragedy without warning or preface, I'm always a little anxious about where one of his books is going to take me. Hence the SPOILER. Relax, nothing bad happens. Dramatic for Stan, yes. Life transforming for Stan, definitely. Destiny altering for Stan, of course. But as much as it feels like it's just around the corner, Godzilla never actually squashes Bambi. That's a good thing.Even a cursory review of the blurbs, professional reviews, and reader comments will lead to a list of descriptions along these lines: quirky, strange, fanciful, weird, magical, intriguing, odd, challenging, quirky (again), odd (again), and challenging. I suppose that's true enough. I would describe it this way - the narrator of this book is very intrusive and chatty. There are a number of meta events in which the narrator inquires of the reader how he would like the story to develop. The narrator/Almond/author is playful - with the reader, with the story, with Stan, and with the idea of a book. But, this is not condescending or patronizing, and it is not the precious cleverness you get when some writers try this approach. The narrator's voice here is congenial and almost conspiratorial. The narrator invites the reader in to the story and almost invites the reader to help imagine and shape the story.But this is all too heavy, so consider this. Stan is a good-hearted, gentle, steadfast, generous and perceptive hero who has a wonderful adventure in a world populated by a wide range of fascinating characters. His story is exciting, amusing, wild and colorful. This is a rewarding effort, and worth a try. How's that?Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.

I read this book aloud with my 4th grader and it was perfect. (Yes, we still read books together and it's great fun!)I had seen this book reviewed somewhere and put it on the must-read list. It hasn't disappointed me, or my son, who loves anything to do with fish, fantasy, adventure, quirky characters, kids trying something unknown, kids trying to escape some situation, adults attempting to teach kids a lesson, etc.The quirkiness of the characters comes out along with their unique use of the English language...or the characters' attempt at simply incorporating phrases and cliches in their everyday speech that, well, show that they're not a high-brow crowd. I found that usage putting a smile on my face since it was clever and my son understood most of it, or it created a great discussion with him about a cliche or phrase that he wasn't familiar with...but is now thanks to this book!The fantasy elements are well described and believable. Even though the chapter endings didn't seem like serious cliff hangers at all, my son was eager for us to continue reading this book every single time we had to put it down. Compact, short chapters helped us read a lot in a little time which was rewarding while reading aloud.If this book is a movie script masquerading as a book, I know we would enjoy seeing the movie too!Bottom line, I think most kids who enjoy quirky stories (isn't that most of 'em?) will enjoy this book. And, adults that like a little out-of-the-ordinary dialogue to spice things up will enjoy reading this aloud to their kids.

Stanley Potts completely captured my heart. This is a wonderful story for a young / middle school child. I read it aloud with my ten year old son and we both enjoyed Stanley's bravery and compassion for others (& animals). Of course the bad guys are somewhere & it is great that they are just plain goofs in this story. The story starts out with some sad events (which is a bit like real life), but the journey is well worth sharing with a child.Stanley is a good friend, a brave kid, and a loved family member. An awesome feel good story with some fun and unexpected surprises added in. I received this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. An awesome read with examples of love, family, bravery, friendship, & loyalty.

The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas, written by David Almond, is a fantastic tale about a boy whose uncle decides to turn his house, which the young protagonist, Stanley Potts, lives in, into a fish canning factory. The boy runs away to a circus where he finds his destiny, and happiness, at a hook-a-duck stall. My favorite part is when Stanley jumps into the piranha tank, which he survives. My favorite character is Stanley Potts. This is a fiction book for children ages 8-13 and it is funny, good and simple, and l rate this marvelous story 5 out of 5 stars.Review by Luke N., age 10, Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa

Seeing Oliver Jeffers, my youngest child's favoriteeeeeee on the jacket, I ordered it for my first grader. It is definitely an older book. Fifth grade or higher.

It reads like and English book. Some of the terms and ways the sentences were phrased were hard for my 10 year old to grasp. I'm sure it's a great book overseas.