Danny is new in town. He's lonely, doesn't know too many people, and feels like others don't know him, but one day an intriguing tiger invites him to take a ride on his back. Everyone knows the Tiger. He's powerful, struts with a gleam in his eye, and demands respect. Danny feels pleased the tiger knows his name and accepts to exciting ride on his sleek back. After watching the tiger interact Danny begins to realize that it isn't respect people have for the tiger, but fear. It isn't too much later that he makes the unfortunate discovery that it's easy and exciting to say yes, but that saying no and getting off the Tiger's back is much more difficult.

"Do you want what I want?" asks the tiger, "Because anyone who isn't for us is against us."

There are many applications. How do we reverse decisions we make when we're lonely or sad? How do we demand respect and command with authority without inspiring fear? It's a lot to struggle with and the contrast of the Tiger with Danny's neighborhood and contemporary environment might prove to be too much of a contrast to some readers. Others may delight in the idea of a swaggering tiger pawing by a basketball court or the outlandish idea of a frustrated Tiger cut off in traffic. There's a sinister feeling to the Tiger and the author manages to convey the gravity of the situation Danny has found himself in.

I'd love to see what young readers make of the tiger. Is is a funny literal story featuring nothing more than a creature they're familiar with from the zoo or is it a cautionary tale about something much more challenging that a beast in a cage? In some ways I wish Danny and his environment were less familiar to the reader, but perhaps the familiarity of the things contributes to the story's message. Some members of the community go out of their way to check in on Danny and warn him, while others simply turn away or avert their eyes from the terrible Tiger.

There are gorgeous woodblock illustrations to accompany the text. Printed in high-relief, the characters have great depth and bring a beautiful stylistic complexity to the story. It's wonderful to see familiar things such as police cars, bricks, or even zip up sweatshirts depicted in this medium. The challenging applications of the story and the length made me think it was intended older readers. ( )

I could see this title being used with older children as part of a discussion about gangs or peer pressure.

Powerful! ( )

Eve Bunting's Riding the Tiger is an allegory that comments on the dangers of gang involvement. Danny, a ten year old boy, is new to town, feeling quite alone, when he is approached by a tiger. Purring at Danny, the tiger invites the boy to take a ride on his back. At first, Danny is hesitant, recognizing that his mother would never approve, but he decides to go anyway. As Danny and the tiger make their way through town, people stop Danny and warn him of the danger associated with his choice to ride the tiger. Danny disregards these warnings, enjoying the excitement that riding a tiger brings. As Danny continues to ride the tiger, he recognizes that things are not as they first seemed. The longer Danny rides, the more control the tiger seems to have. Danny decides that he must find a way to get off the tiger's back once he notices the harm that the tiger does to innocent people. Unfortunately, the tiger will not allow Danny to leave. Eventually, Danny is able to free himself, but not without fear that the tiger will return.

David Frampton illustrates Bunting's Riding the Tiger, making use of woodcuts. Most of the illustrations are done in black as well as various shades of orange, highlighted with other warm colors.
Riding a Tiger is appropriate for students in grades 4-12. In addition to serving as a discussion starter about gang involvement, this piece can be used to explore symbolism and metaphor. In addition, Riding a Tiger is a useful resource if the class is exploring allegories. After reading this book, the students could be asked to create their own allegory.