The Winter Room

Written by Gary Paulsen

Narrated by Jeff Woodman

This story of two Norwegian-American farm boys who discover the remarkable magic of storytelling is vintage Gary Paulsen-earthy, gritty, and ultimately poignant. Following the turn of the seasons, eleven year old Eldon traces the daily routines of his life on a farm and his relationship with his older brother Wayne. During the winter, with little work to be done on the farm, Eldon and Wayne spend the quiet hours with their family, listening to their Uncle David's stories. But Eldon soon learns that, although he has lived on the same farm, in the same house with his uncle for eleven springs, summers, and winters, he hardly knows him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490608679

Gary Paulsen

<P>GARY PAULSEN (1939 - 2021) wrote nearly two hundred books for young people, including the Newbery Honor Books<em> Hatchet, Dogsong,</em> and <em>The Winter Room. </em></P>

Reviews for The Winter Room

[electrascaife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A chronicle of a year in the life of two young brothers growing up on a farm. They learn some hard truths about the toll country living can take, along with the value of stories blended with family history. Farm life isn't sugar-coated here, but even the slaughter of animals in the fall is treated with respect and just the right amount of delicacy. A good introduction to what's it like growing up in the country for kiddos who don't have exposure to such things, plus a nice story for good measure.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The seasons of the year, as told first-person through the perspective of an eleven year old boy, living on a farm in northern Minnesota.The descriptions of what he associates with each season are not typical; several times I paused and thought over his view of what might be considered mundane tasks. Caution: he does describe the slaughter of farm animals for food in a slightly graphic manner, but did not revel in it. As tender-hearted as I am, I was able to handle it. Good read.

[jbarr5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Winter Room Enjoyed listening to this book about a boy as the seasons go by from the family farm in Minnesota.Lots of topics. Interesting how they tend to the animals. I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[mduval7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

 The winter room had different messages about taking the passing of time and learning from your elders. Overall I had a mixed opinion on the book and couldn't get fully invested in it heavily. One thing I didn't like was the layout of the book, the flow from season to season as chapters progressed really annoyed me. I know that it was a logical step to go through the seasons in order but the book revolved heavily around the winter story and the story telling yet it was such a small part of the story. Something I liked was the character progression of the main character Eldon, even though it was shaky at times. The way he moved through the life, learning lessons from both the older and the younger members of his home and from the world itself was very relate able and easy to like.

[derock35 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

this book is about a kid and his brother listening totheir grandpa's life storys

[sharinehodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary:This story was about an eleven-year old boy by the name of Eldon who discusses his life on a farm located in the rural areas of Minnesota. He lives with his brother Wayne, Uncle David, mom, dad, Nels, and the farm. This novel clarifies each of the seasons in sections: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Eldon seems to be fascinated about seasons as he discusses each season and the changes that come along with them from year to year. Eldon describes each season separately; the newness of spring, the sweat and labor of summer, necessary but painful killing in fall and the stories of winter. He talks about how each season brings its own nature, responsibities, hardtime and good times. He talks mostly about his relationship with his brother Wayne and his Uncle David who tells stories around winter time. His brother Wayne convinces Eldon that the stories that Uncle David tells are not real but merely fabricated ones. Uncle David takes a brief break from the story telling until he proves to them that his stories are quite real.Personal Reaction: I think this book was interestingly laid out in colorful sections. Each section brings an emotion alive that takes us to the specified season. I think children of all ages can benefit from this book and find it amazing. I especially likes how each of the seasons were laid out in sections an this would definitely give children a good idea that clarifies the differences between the seasons. Extensions:This book can be used in a lesson or unit about seasons. Students can be asked to draw the different seasons and write a brief description about each season to s how their understanding of each. Lead a discussion about life on a farm to see what children think about it then compare that of the story’s to how life on a farm is today.

[jerasullivan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary:Eleven-year old Eldon talks about his life on a farm in rural Minnesota. He talks about each of the seasons and how they change each year. He lives with his brother, mother, father, and 2 uncles. He talks mostly about his relationship with his brother Wayne and his Uncle David who tells stories.Personal Reaction: I expected a little more from this book but if was very slow paced. It has some good information about living on a farm back in the day and some good information about how different the seasons are on a farm. Classroom Extension Ideas:1. I could use this book with a lesson on seasons.2. I could use this book to compare living on a farm back in the day to present day.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

While there is nothing exceptional about this 1990 Newbery honor book, I enjoyed it for the slow, easy pace. I liked the clear, crisp images of a time in rural Minnesota when life consisted of a family bound together by the joint efforts of farming.It was delightful and calming to read.

[bettybealis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“The Winter Room”This book tells the story of life on a farm in Minnesota through the different seasons. The point of view is through the eyes of a young boy named Edon who lives on the farm. He lives with his brother, mother, father, and two elderly uncles that emigrated there from Norway. The first four chapters cover each season of the year and the last four covers stories that the Uncles tell around the fire in the winter. This is a great story to use in history class for how people lived on a farm in earlier times. One activity to do with this book is to compare life on a farm then to life on a farm now. You could also compare stories from your won living older relatives to the stories from the book. I rate this book with four stars, because it is a humorous read and moves fast. Each chapter could even stand alone if you wanted to split it up into several different readings.

[bobby3457 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thought that this book had interesting stuff to tell, but was not able deliver on parts of it. At first it is slow then it becomes more fastly paced. First it tells how the seasons are each different to Eldon and his older brother Wayne. Eldon is the main character in this book. After the book tells about each of the seasons Eldon's uncle, Uncle David tells them stories. At the end of the book Wayne convinces Eldon that the stories that Uncle David tells are fake and made up. There are no more stories for a while, but then Uncle David does something that proves them all wrong. I think that anyone that liked the book Hatchet also written by Gary Paulsen will like this book.

[eputney87 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary- Elodon and his brother Wayne live on their family farm together. Each of the seasons brings something new to their lives. Although winter is cold, it brings some of the most memorable days for these brothers as they sit around the fire and tell stories with their mom, dad and uncle. Strength- This book has a tremendous amount of gory details. Its greatest strength is its ability to grab the attention of reluctant readers through the detail of gruesome farm stories. Use with Children- This would be a great book to use with kids when talking about using all of your senses during the reading process. Students will be able to practice hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing and touching the scenes of the stories as Paulson brings the ideas to life.

[nipe0706 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ok book. kinda interesting.

[shumphreys_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Grade 5-8: Independent Reading. Strengths - Rich imagery, relatable childhood experiences, Norwegian Culture (cultural enrichment). Weaknesses: not much action within plot, vocabulary words (snoose as in chewing tobacco)Wide appeal - yes! undoubtedlyThe Winter Room describes the charms and mysteries of life on a farm in rural Northern Michigan. It is an endearing tribute to boyhood. I do believe, though, that the narrator, Eldon, is older than 11 years old. He has many sophisticated ideas and has a refined sense of humor making him a very precocious child. The story is very much a journey rather than an exciting plot. Gary Paulsen describes rural farmlife with such imagery and illumination as to excite one’s imagination. The kind of story where you don’t know where it’s leading and, frankly, you don’t care because the slow and steady pace gives you time to smell the flowers—and the blood.