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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
This was an incredibly powerful story about passing judgement on those who may be different than us as well as standing up to those who try to hurt and bully. It reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird at some parts and would be a fabulous discussion book for older students.
Annabelle lives a quiet life on her family’s farm until a bully named Betty moves into the area. Betty starts threatening Annabelle and her brothers. This book also includes veteran Toby, who spends his days since the great World War wandering. Unkempt with few words most don’t know what to think of him, but when he aides Annabelle he becomes Betty’s next victim.
Wolf Hollow was a middle grade novel that was well written and moving. The story was just as gorgeous as the stunning cover that caught my eye at an airport bookstore, which is really saying something. It was set during World War II, but not it was not a war historical novel by any means. Instead, it was a story in a small town in Pennsylvania where twelve year old Annabelle was learning about fear in the news reports of the war and in the bully who was starting to become a problem outside of school.
Annabelle was fascinated by a war veteran living in her town named Toby. People judged him for being strange and quiet, but all she had ever seen from him was kindness. She was beginning to experience bullying by a girl in school named Betty. It began with small things, but they soon escalated and Toby also became the subject of her amusement. Annabelle fiercely defended Toby and the story took on a mind of its own as Betty’s lies put Toby’s reputation on the line.
Wolf Hollow was all about judging others, learning how to lie, learning how to tell the truth when it counts, and knowing someone’s character. Annabelle learned a lot the year she turned twelve. It does deal with some violence, but if fits well in the middle grade genre and is certainly a book I’d recommend for kids and parents alike. I enjoyed the story and I highly recommend it. I honestly didn’t expect the book to live up to the gorgeous cover, so I’m shocked and happy to know that the story turned out to be so great.
Annabelle was fascinated by a war veteran living in her town named Toby. People judged him for being strange and quiet, but all she had ever seen from him was kindness. She was beginning to experience bullying by a girl in school named Betty. It began with small things, but they soon escalated and Toby also became the subject of her amusement. Annabelle fiercely defended Toby and the story took on a mind of its own as Betty’s lies put Toby’s reputation on the line.
Wolf Hollow was all about judging others, learning how to lie, learning how to tell the truth when it counts, and knowing someone’s character. Annabelle learned a lot the year she turned twelve. It does deal with some violence, but if fits well in the middle grade genre and is certainly a book I’d recommend for kids and parents alike. I enjoyed the story and I highly recommend it. I honestly didn’t expect the book to live up to the gorgeous cover, so I’m shocked and happy to know that the story turned out to be so great.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author. Although I believe these were young adult books, they were both well written with solid characters and storylines. They had some wonderful lessons from which a person of any age can benefit. I’ll look for more by this same author in the future.
I loved this book. Shades of "To Kill A Mockingbird" with the relationship between Scout and Boo and Annabelle and Toby. Engrossing story. Lauren Wolk is a fine writer.
The only problem with this story is how sad it is - and ultimately, that's not really a problem, because life really is that sad sometimes.
Well-written, poignant and with real heart, I would recommend it to anyone old enough to understand it.
Well-written, poignant and with real heart, I would recommend it to anyone old enough to understand it.
A great story to help teach kids to get to know people and who they really are and how lying can make things worse.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No