Willodeen by Katherine Applegate

 


This book is a lot of fun and is full of heart. In the village of Perchance creatures known as Screechers are seen as a nuisance for making loud noises and emitting skunk like odors. The town has put a bounty on their heads and that is not ok if you ask eleven year old Willodeen. Willodeen loves all animals, but she especially drawn to the odd ones, partially because Willodeen herself is a bit of a loner oddball. 

Having lost her family in a terrible fire, and being taken in by two wonderful ladies, Birdie and Mae, Willodeen is determined to solve another one of the villages problems: their biggest tourist attraction and the lifeblood of their yearly faire, the Hummingbear, have begun to disappear. Can Willodeen protect the hated Screecher and bring back the beloved Hummingbear at the same time, or is this once lovely village going to fade away to nothing like these two creatures?

This is a light and easy read that students will love! I can't wait to add it to my classroom library when it comes out on September 7th.

-TK

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