Thursday, September 27, 2012

Publisher's Weekly Review of DON'T FEED THE BOY

the adorable back cover
of DON'T FEED THE BOY,
illus. by Stephanie Graegin

Don’t Feed the Boy
Irene Latham, illus. by Stephanie Graegin. Roaring Brook, $15.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-59643-755-5

Living at the zoo sounds pretty sweet, but 11-year-old Whit has soured on the experience, having spent his whole life at the Meadowbrook Zoo in Alabama, which is run by his busy and distracted parents. Both Whit’s parents and his homeschool teacher, Ms. Connie, have taught him a great deal about exotic animals, though he’d rather be surrounded by a more ordinary species: other kids. When Whit notices a girl who visits the zoo each day to sketch the birds, he sets his heart on getting to know the “Bird Girl” and finally making a friend his own age. Unfortunately, being a good friend to “Bird Girl,” whose actual name is Stella and who has troubles at home, involves taking dangerous risks and breaking rules that test Whit’s courage and his parents’ trust. The unusual setting and the characters’ tricky family dynamics add tension and zest to Latham’s (Leaving Gee’s Bend) empathetic friendship tale, as do Graegin’s pencil drawings, which portray the story’s upsetting and uplifting moments with gentleness. Readers won’t soon forget Whit and Stella’s adventures. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Oct.) 

Thanks, PW, for extending such a warm welcome to Whit and Stella!! By the way, readers: That peacock? His name is Ferdinand. And that girl sitting on the bench? the Bird Girl, aka Stella. :)

7 comments:

  1. Congratulations on these fine words, Irene! Woo hoo, almost time! The back cover is delightful, full of images to think over.

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    1. Thank you, Linda! It IS getting close. It made me happy the reviewer noted Stephanie Graegin's illustrations, which I completely love.

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  2. Yay - awesome review! I can't wait to get my copy from Powells!!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa... and just 3 short months till January... excited to read!

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  3. I cannot wait for this gorgeous book, Ms. Latham. And "zest" is a perfect way to describe what you do. xo

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    1. Thank you, Caroline! Funny you pulled out "zest," because I was thinking that might be my favorite word in the review. Of course YOU would sense that. xo

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  4. Great review, Irene! Congratulations!
    The back cover really IS adorable. And I love the name Ferdinand!
    I'm very excited to pick up a copy. : )

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