Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge
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- 8,49 €
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- 8,49 €
Beschreibung des Verlags
“A heartfelt read filled with nuanced characters; recommended for those seeking a fast-paced adventure with a very human story.” —School Library Journal
“A humorous, poignant, realistic debut story.” —Kirkus Reviews
Vilonia is determined to prove she’s responsible enough to care for a dog in this “sensitive and uplifting coming-of-age” (Publishers Weekly) novel.
Being responsible is NOT easy.
Fourth grader Vilonia hasn’t lost her rain coat in the three weeks she’s had it and she’s brushed her teeth every night and she’s volunteered to be the Friday Library Helper. But all that hard work is worth it if it means she can get a dog. Besides, this dog isn’t just because Vilonia has wanted one for pretty much ever. It’s also to help Mama, who’s been lost in one, big sadness fog for forty-three days—ever since Nana died. But Vilonia read that pets can help with sadness. Now all she has to do is keep the library goldfish alive over spring break, stop bringing stray animals home, and help Mama not get fired from her job. And she’s got to do all of it before the Catfish Festival. Easy as pie, right?
Tremendous voice, humor, and heart make this debut novel utterly lovable.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this sensitive and uplifting coming-of-age journey, nine-year-old Vilonia Beebe wants two things: a dog and for Mama to recover from the depression brought on by the death of Vilonia's grandmother. When she learns that pets can help cure depression, she begins the Great Pet Campaign, combining the two goals. Because Vilonia's parents are concerned that she isn't responsible enough for a pet, she volunteers to care for her classroom goldfish over spring break. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to anyone, she has also taken over her mother's job writing obituaries for the local paper, and in so doing finds the perfect puppy: the runt of a litter whose owner has died. When Vilonia accidentally kills the class goldfish, she has to come up with a new plan before the puppy is adopted by someone else. Debut author Gray brings Vilonia's small Mississippi town to vibrant life, creating a cast of warm, eccentric inhabitants and traditions, including the annual Catfish Festival. Vilonia's amusing scrapes serve to counterbalance the seriousness of her mother's condition. Ages 8 12.)
