An enchanting tale with a strong environmental message.
In this middle-grade novel, a young goat embarks on a life-changing adventure.
When Buddy the goat is born on the aptly named Goat Mountain, her early days are nothing short of blissful. Buddy’s mother is sweet and nurturing, feeding and bathing the newborn kid and supporting the animal as she learns how to use her hooves and legs. But after only a few days, Buddy wakes up to find her mother gone. The little goat, who still doesn’t have a name at this point—animals are named by their mothers—is at a loss, not finding her parent anywhere except in her own dreams. Soon, Buddy’s explorations lead her to new friends: Maurice the marmot (who gives Buddy her name), a mysterious but kind raven named Roark, and, finally, a band of mountain goats who take Buddy under their wings. Though fellow kid goat Elbuort delights in bullying Buddy, her new mother figure, Oreo—who lost her own baby—is happy to have the newcomer in the group. Oreo introduces Buddy to her own mother, Spirit, the band’s most respected elder. While Buddy tries to find her role in the group, she learns of a legend that may threaten the goats’ existence as well as a renowned location called Shining Mountain. With Roark’s help, Buddy sets out on her own to find the mountain, battling hostile forces at every turn. Can Buddy save her band of goats and finally discover what happened to her mother, Eneres? Wildlife biologist Bruce Smith has published a number of nonfiction books and studied mountain goats for three years in Montana. In his engaging first novel, the author includes a lengthy but child-friendly afterword, detailing the species described in the story as well as the threats of global warming and other factors to the natural world. The series opener also features black-and-white illustrations by the author’s wife, Diana Smith. The result is an informative and lovingly crafted narrative with a plucky hero determined to find her mother and her place in the world; her natural curiosity about her surroundings will appeal to the work’s target audience.
An enchanting tale with a strong environmental message.Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-955893-02-2
Page Count: 200
Publisher: Hidden Shelf Publishing House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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