Growing Up & Facts of Life
![Katherine A. Applegate - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B000AQ1MD8.jpg)
Willodeen
From #1 New York Times bestseller Katherine Applegate, a singular middle-grade novel about a girl who risks everything to help a handmade creature who comes to life.
The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . .
Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kinds, but her favorites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as "screechers." The villagers of Perchance call them pests, even monsters, but Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature.
Lately, though, nature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled. For as long as anyone can remember, the tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists from far and wide. This year, however, not a single hummingbear has returned to Perchance, and no one knows why.
When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friend, Connor, she's determined to speak up for the animals she loves, and perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears.
A timely and timeless tale about our fragile earth, and one girl's fierce determination to make a difference.
The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . .
Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kinds, but her favorites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as "screechers." The villagers of Perchance call them pests, even monsters, but Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature.
Lately, though, nature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled. For as long as anyone can remember, the tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists from far and wide. This year, however, not a single hummingbear has returned to Perchance, and no one knows why.
When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friend, Connor, she's determined to speak up for the animals she loves, and perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears.
A timely and timeless tale about our fragile earth, and one girl's fierce determination to make a difference.
Editorial Reviews
"Katherine Applegate's "Willodeen," like most fairy tales, takes place in a world that is familiar in its generalities and supernatural in its particulars. Applegate's most inventive contribution, however, comes after the main business of the story has been resolved[:] It takes empathy to cherish all living things, no matter how small or ugly. But it takes imagination to recognize both the agonies and the marvels of the future that awaits us." ―The New York Times Book Review
"Employing flawlessly simple, candid prose that belies deeper messages, Newbery Medalist Applegate again considers the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. ... Fiercely protective Willodeen is easy to champion, and her belief that "nature knows more than we do" is a message worth sharing." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Applegate's gentle yet honest tale mixes magic with very real environmental messaging, both warning of human-caused harm and pointing to nature's resilience and interconnectedness. ...Applegate empowers her young characters by not only granting them courage but also ensuring they earn the respect of their elders."―Booklist, starred review
"This accessible fantasy offers hope as well as a tender examination of people re-learning to work together to care for one another and the world around them." ―The Horn Book Magazine
"An endearing fable that illuminates the importance of recognizing that all living things serve a purpose in our beautifully complex world and are worthy of care and dignity." ―BookPage
"Applegate's latest fantasy is a simple but beautiful story about humans' relationship with the natural world. ... A sweet fantasy about standing up for what you believe in."―School Library Journal
Praise for Wishtree:
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
A New York Times Notable Book, 2017
A National Public Radio Best Book of 2017
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
"Employing flawlessly simple, candid prose that belies deeper messages, Newbery Medalist Applegate again considers the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. ... Fiercely protective Willodeen is easy to champion, and her belief that "nature knows more than we do" is a message worth sharing." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Applegate's gentle yet honest tale mixes magic with very real environmental messaging, both warning of human-caused harm and pointing to nature's resilience and interconnectedness. ...Applegate empowers her young characters by not only granting them courage but also ensuring they earn the respect of their elders."―Booklist, starred review
"This accessible fantasy offers hope as well as a tender examination of people re-learning to work together to care for one another and the world around them." ―The Horn Book Magazine
"An endearing fable that illuminates the importance of recognizing that all living things serve a purpose in our beautifully complex world and are worthy of care and dignity." ―BookPage
"Applegate's latest fantasy is a simple but beautiful story about humans' relationship with the natural world. ... A sweet fantasy about standing up for what you believe in."―School Library Journal
Praise for Wishtree:
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
A New York Times Notable Book, 2017
A National Public Radio Best Book of 2017
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Readers Top Reviews
C
Great book for an animal lover. Book about loss, what's important - friendship, caring for one another, needing others and the balance of nature.
Sandra Berkowitz
The story starts on an unhappy time. Willodeen is a special girl who has lost her family. She finds a screecher who she takes in. she already has a humming bear who is Injured. Her best friend Conner helps her Convince the town yo bring back the screeches to help the hummingbears. With all the sadness that she suffered she is Smart beyond her years. She helps her town Come together. together
Mrs. Vandivier
At first I thought this book started out slowly but it soon picked up pace and I couldn't put it down. I love the message sent about conservation. Dome with subtlety yet still impacful.
OnlyLoveToday
Beautiful story celebrating our differences and that being unique is the common thread that binds us. A story for those who love or lack imagination… and as much a lesson for children as it is for adults to love and respect nature, its resilience and its organic way of maintaining balance. Applegate poetically paints beauty in serious and sad aspects of life. Also, great book for children to learn literature and the mastery of imagery.
Danielle
After watching a virtual interview with the author this summer, I knew I had to read this beautiful book. The day my pre-order arrived, I dug in and never wanted to stop reading. This is a heartwarming tale with characters to love and superb world-building that kept me believing and never made me doubt that screechers or hummingbears weren't real. The illustrations throughout are detailed and add so much richness and depth to the story. With friendship, found-family, loss of loved ones, bullying, STEAM, and stewardship themes, so many readers will find themselves rooting for Willodeen.
