Hi everyone, this week’s post is actually a Newbery Honor medalist!! When I first read it, and promptly completed reading, I thought it would win something and I was right!! Set in the shadows of both World Wars in Pennsylvania, this read takes the reader on an emotional journey and well…why don’t you just read the rest to find out…
Title: Wolf Hollow
Author: Lauren Wolk
Genre: Fiction – historical
Publication details: Dutton Children’s Books; NY, 2016
ISBN: 9781101994825 (Hardcover)
What this book is about: Growing up in the shadows cast by two World Wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty reveals her true nature when she begins bullying her classmates and eventually an elderly World War One veteran, Toby. Although Annabelle’s little town sees Toby as strange, she only knows of his kindness. Soon, she will need to find the courage to stand as a lone voice of justice as tensions mount. This is a haunting tale of an America at a crossroads and a time when one girl’s resilience and strength helps to illuminate the darkest corners of history.
My review: Reminiscent of themes from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird; those of prejudice, courage and compassion, this story has the potential to go far!! I found it exceptionally written with poignant and moving scenes in each and every chapter. Some passages that I read were heartfelt and others had me brandishing my fist at the cruelty of Betty and the unfairness towards Annabelle. What I really liked is the courage Annabelle shows in the face of prejudice and her unique voice!! I really loved the descriptions of early 1940’s Pennsylvania in this read!! A great story with memorable characters suitable for all tweens and their families!
My rating: 5 ⭐
Additional notes: This title has won the Newbery Honor medal in 2017; and been nominated for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award in 2018, the Carnegie Medal in 2017, and the Goodreads Choice Award for Middle Grade and Children’s in 2016 among others. Whoa!!
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 