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Wolf Hollow, by Lauren Wolk (2016)
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Premise: A girl in mid-1940s Pennsylvania has to grow up quickly after the arrival of a new girl in town sets off a series of events with lasting consequences for everyone.

Review: This is one of the best middle-grade novels I‘ve read. Cont.

I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2023

Listened to this MG coming of age story with my daughter and we loved it. Does anyone have any similar books to recommend?

#2021Book67
When I started this book, I assumed it was just your usual coming-of-age story about a girl learning to befriend a bully. But then it turned into something much darker! The characters feel like people you really know and I wanted to spend more time with them. And I think I spent at least the last 50 pages crying, which is definitely a selling point for me with any book.

Just weeks ago I‘d begun to hunger for change, impatient with my life, much as I loved it.

My husband got this picture of me reading on the beach...Oregon beaches are cold! 😂 My #beachselfie for the #summerfun challenge. #summerfunbucketlist @4thhouseontheleft @StayCurious

'Somewhere, excitement waited for me like an uncut cake' - this line made me smile. Although there is not much to smile about throughout the novel. It's beautifully written story but also a very sad one so be warned.

I heard recently that during anxious times reading middle grade books may bring comfort. Unfortunately the ones I picked are full of sadness and fear. But also beautiful, like this one.

(On the right - cover of polish edition)

This book is a historical fiction. I super enjoyed this book. It kept me on my toes and it was one I could not put down. If you like a story that teaches life lessons on how to stand up for what you believe in this is the book for you. It was written by Lauren Wolk it was on the New York Times Best Seller and a Newberry Honor book. #ucflae3414f19

How much power does a lie have? What if it comes from someone believed to be an innocent child? What if the person the lie is about is an outsider who doesn‘t act “normal”? How many times will they win before we recognize our own prejudices?

Reading Envy Podcast Episode 136: Six Pack. Both Elizabeth and I seemed to be in an animal reading mood lately, and that permeates our picks. Elizabeth talks about YA book events she attended in Houston, Jenny talks about her home library, and both of us talk about books we've read and enjoyed lately.

https://tinyurl.com/ReadingEnvy136

Great historical mystery for middle grade kids. Really sweet and engaging one of my favs

This was a great historical fiction novel that reminded me a lot of Harper Lee‘s To Kill a Mockingbird. Like TKaM, it deals with prejudice & false accusations that arise due to prejudice. The characters feel realistic and compelling. The plot is well-paced with great conflict, which made me keep reading.

“The extraordinary can live in the simplest things.” ~Lauren Wolk
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Indeed...this book is absolutely extraordinary! So emotional, it will stay with you for a long time. Highly recommend. ❤️

I have 1 day and 17 hrs to finish listening to this.

What a heartbreaking read! 😢😢😢 Must read for all my #burghbuddies

I keep forgetting this book is based in the #Pittsburgh area until I will see this town in here every now and then... which just happens to be the next town away from where I live. #burghbuddies

Starting this next. Has anyone else read this?

Technically for a more “juvenile” audience, but I could see it being a bit too dark and somewhat devastating for certain age groups.
I feel it should be required reading for everyone. Common threads and themes that I think so many have experienced one way or another.
Huge thumbs up from me (and a bit of a bruised heart).

This book was okay. It dealt with a lot of serious themes and presented a lot of deep messages, and handled them fairly well. The plot was decent, but somewhat predictable at times. I enjoyed it the majority of the time I was reading it. (I wish I could make this longer hngh)

This book was really sad. It‘s a coming of age story where the main character, Annabelle, discovers how important it is to tell the truth and how destructive lies can be.

THIS BOOK. I laughed, I cried, I had all the strong feelings. Wonderful, wonderful book.

Brilliant book! 5 Stars!

#bestof2017 Honorable Mention
This is historical fiction middle grade, wonderful story of friendships and family and small town life.

This book was one of my favorites that I have read this year. It is a great story for young readers and inspires hope. It is also a great read for adults. I found myself finishing this in a day. I would for sure recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read, that still gets you emotionally attached to the characters.

"But Wolf Hollow was also where I learned to tell the truth in that year before I turned twelve: about things from which refuge was impossible. Wrong, even. No matter how tempting." - Lauren Wolk, Wolf Hollow.

World's slowest reader has to add two more books to the pile for family book club.

Near-perfect Bildungsroman, though the narrator is a bit too wise beyond her mere eleven years. Evocative story, simple yet elegant. It's really about how easily and often adults pass judgment on others without bothering to know all the facts. And kids, predictably, follow suit. Hauntingly beautiful.

1:16 for #24in48 and 115 pages to finish up Wolf Hollow by Lauren Will!

I've got my TBR pile planned out for #24in48!

No Wonder this book has won an award - its such an interesting time period and full of prejudices and unfortunate situations. Amazing on audio.

Good audiobook, but I agree with others who were unsure of the intended audience. Pretty dark stuff for Newbery honor.

"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." C.S. Lewis

I have read twelve books this year. Out of those twelve, I have four favorites and three of those are children books. These three books represent good storytelling that I have enjoyed enormously while at the same time my youngest daughter has enjoyed them too—for us both to come away saying "that was very good" is priceless.

"The year I turned twelve I learned that what I said and what I did mattered." - Annabelle

My book club likes to read juvenile fiction from time to time and this was worthy of our time and discussion. It definitely describes a simpler time when more was expected of children. It also takes on the subject of bullying in a very realistic way, with no simple answers. The loving relationship depicted in Annabelle's family is a pleasure to read.

a family read (listen, actually). 4 out 5 thumbs up.

Well...this book wrecked me. I think you should go read it so it can wreck you too. It's worth it.

After reading the next 10 chapters, through chapter 18, my feelings for Betty and Andy have not changed. They are two bullies conspiring against the good people of Wolf Hollow. Not that Annabelle planned it, but I believe changing Toby's appearance will help him in the chapters to come. #NewberyHonor2017

Eight chapters in and I feel like we are just at the beginnings of where the book will take us in history. I find myself hopeful that the relationship between Toby and Annabelle will continue to develop. When Annabelle was walking alone I kept reminding myself that Toby was likely nearby. I am drawn to Toby's mysterious ways, and grateful that he witnessed Betty's cruelty. I suppose I am rooting for their unique friendship. #NewberyHonor2017

What an excellent story to complement social studies instruction. Discussion of the Great Depression, World War I and then of course World War II that she is living through, time period wise…good story so far! #Newbery honor2017

Betty's behaviors are disturbing but believable. I am looking forward to learning how this plot will unfold. Somehow I don't think there will be a simple solution. Can Betty change? I think Annabelle will become stronger, but I suspect events will become darker before the resolution of the story. I'm curious about others' thoughts about age level for book. At this point (still early), I'm thinking 5th-6th grades as youngest. #Newberyhonor2017

After first 8 chapters: I was worried at beginning that I wouldn't want to read this book. Even with some disturbing events, I am hooked. I am intrigued by the characters and engaged in the plot. While I enjoyed the fantasy of "The Girl who Drank the Moon" because of imagining the possibilities of characters and events, I feel more engaged in "Wolf Hollow", because of probability of characters and events. #Newberyhonor2017

To Kill a Mockingbird meets, um, some other wonderful book from my childhood that I can't quite recall just now. At any rate, it's a gorgeous book and I loved every word of it.

Sometimes, when I finish a book this perfect, I sit frozen in wonder and awe that such a thing is possible, and that somehow I am lucky enough to be in its presence. And then, out of respect for what I've just witnessed, it takes a long time to pick up another book, which cannot possibly be this one's equal.