Published: 2021
Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Audiobook, Nature, Friendship, Environment, Juvenile, Magical Realism, Adventure
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 4-8
Number of Stars: 5-star
Goodreads Link: Willodeen
Triggers: Orphanhood, grief/loss of family, environmental disasters (fires, mudslides, droughts)
Review By: MaryAlice Brennan-Steere
Publisher’s Summary:
The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . . Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kinds, but her favorites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as “screechers.” The villagers of Perchance call them pests, even monsters, but Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature.
Lately, though, nature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled. For as long as anyone can remember, the tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists from far and wide. This year, however, not a single hummingbear has returned to Perchance, and no one knows why. When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friend, Connor, she’s determined to speak up for the animals she loves, and perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears.
Review:
This is a very sweet tale that would appeal to middle school and/or intermediate elementary students. Willow is an orphaned eleven year old young lady who lives on the island of Perchance, and she has a close connection to the land’s living creatures. She is especially drawn to the Screechers, which are unattractive looking animals that emit awful smells to defend themselves. She makes friends with a boy named Connor, and together they try to solve the mystery of the dwindling numbers of hummingbears, which are winged bearlike creatures that are a big source of tourism on Perchance. This is a magical tale that is filled with adventure, and includes themes of friendship, belonging, self-discovery and the interconnectedness of nature. Overall, it is an enchanting read and one that will be loved by those readers who have also enjoyed Applegate’s “The One and Only Ivan.”
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Science / Environmental Studies (Ecosystems & Biodiversity): This novel offers a fantastic framework for exploring biological conservation, food webs, and environmental science. Through Willodeen’s defense of the maligned “screechers,” educators can introduce structural lessons on how every organism—regardless of how unappealing or disruptive it may seem to humans—plays an indispensable role in maintaining ecological equilibrium.
- Social-Emotional Learning (Belonging, Resilience, & Civic Agency): Centered on an eleven-year-old orphan navigating profound personal loss, the narrative provides rich opportunities to discuss grief, self-discovery, and the power of finding a kindred spirit in a new friend. Willodeen’s journey encourages students to find their voice, stand firmly by their convictions, and advocate for vulnerable populations or nature when facing community skepticism.
Readalikes:
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- Pax by Sara Pennypacker
