Bestselling author Lauren Wolk returns to the world of Wolf Hollow, in this sequel to her beloved, Newbery Honor-winning debut.
★ "A powerful story to electrify the soul." -Booklist, starred review
It's been several months since the tragic events set in motion by bully Betty Glengarry, and the routine of daily life in Wolf Hollow has slowly returned. But for Annabelle McBride it's hard to move forward and make peace with what feels like threadbare justice.
Newly warm summer days are about to bring a jolt of change on the winds of a powerful storm. In its wake, the search for her brother's missing dog will set Annabelle on a new path that brings her to unfamiliar doorsteps and reunites her with a too-familiar adversary--Andy Woodberry, who was complicit in Betty's most terrible acts. Growing up and blazing her own trail will soon force Annabelle to reexamine deeply felt truths--about people, about justice, about herself--that had once seemed so uncomplicated.
Bestselling author Lauren Wolk (Beyond the Bright Sea, Echo Mountain) returns to World War II-era Western Pennsylvania in this luminous sequel to her Newbery Honor-winning debut, Wolf Hollow, proving once again why her acclaimed novels have been celebrated as "historical fiction at its finest.”
Review:
As I wrote on Goodreads, Lauren Wolk is a master. This book is so compelling. I didn't know it was coming out. When I picked it up, I didn't know it was going to be a sequel to another book I loved. I didn't even know I wanted a sequel. But, I guess I did....The way she writes her main characters, and how they have to figure things out is just so real. I read the first half of this book in a salon (that was very behind). And I was sad when I had to go in for my appointment. Her words are just so poetic, true, powerful, and thoughtful. As a Youth Services Librarian, I have read a lot of kids books over the years. This author is special.
Reading Lauren Wolk almost feels like reading a modern day E.B. White. You know each book is going to stand out and last with you a long time. She understands how kids think, how animals think, and you can’t stop reading/turning the pages.
I really didn’t think Wolf Hollow needed a sequel. I thought it had a great ending. I never really thought I had to have more…and I was surprised when I learned that this book was a continuation of that story. I wasn’t unhappy, just surprised. And then I started reading it. The more I read, the more I realized I did need it, if that makes sense. Sometimes stories end and you don’t really have a chance to think about all that’s happened.
What happened at the end of Wolf Hollow was so intense. Wolk wrote it beautifully. But, this book really gives you the chance to think about it, to forgive certain characters, and to move on. I like how you learn that the world isn’t black and white. Not all people are good or bad. And even sometimes what leads someone to do something bad can help explain things. Everyone has a story.
Also, the whole idea of getting hit by lightning and then being able to understand animals? Genius! This book was magic. The concept was magic. But, still, at its core, there’s this hardship and this memory of what has already transpired and what these characters and families are still going through. I love the sense of family, responsibility, and heroism in this book. I guess each character, in their own way, is a hero. There’s the new characters who rescue dogs, the doctors who do incredible things, the mystery characters who restart a girl’s heart after being struck by lightning, the fathers who let abused boys stay in their barns, mothers who can just tell who the villains are, and the dogs who bring everyone together. And of course there’s Annabelle who literally throws herself in front of her siblings to protect them from danger.
I hope this book resonates with everyone else as much as it does with me. I give it a 10/10.
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