Synopses & Reviews
In this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vets office, convinced he can only get better at home with them, Oona tells Fred the story of Zooks previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zooks lives has echoes in Oonas own family life, which is going through a transition shes not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylanwhom Oona secretly calls the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zooks medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story.
Praise for The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook
STARRED REVIEW
"Rocklins characters are fully developed: readers will be invested. Set in Oakland, readers are also treated to a refreshingly authentic childs view of a diverse city. The only imperfection in this novel is that it ends."
Booklist, starred review
Oonas character is a combination of Harriet the Spy in curiosity and Anastasia in spunk. Another emotionally satisfying outing from Rocklin; hanky recommended.”
Kirkus Reviews
"Just as she did in One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street, Rocklin intertwines her characters so smartly that the many coincidences and serendipitous events feel organic to the story. The storys endingbittersweet, inevitable, and trueoffers much-needed catharsis for the family and for anyone who has ever loved a pet."
The Horn Book
"This heartwarming family tale is filled with resilient and thoughtful characters who are willing to learn from their mistakes. Readers who enjoy the novels of Jeanne Birdsall and Leslie Crunch will appreciate this charming story."
School Library Journal
"There is a strong sense of place in this loving story with the ending sure to generate some tears. This would make a strong library lesson extension activity."
Library Media Connection
Awards
SCBWIs Golden Kite Award for Fiction - 2012
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award
Review
"I feel a deep gratitude that Ida B exists." Kate DiCamillo, Newbery Medalist
Review
"With just the right amount of tension in the plot, a spot-on grasp of human emotions, and Ida B's delightful turns of phrase, this book begs to be read aloud." School Library Journal
Review
"A poignant, affirming, and often funny debut from a promising new author." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Beautifully told, this first novel is filled with remarkable characters and the story is one of growth and adaptation. Seeing how Ida B deals with all of this is worth the price of admission." Children's Literature
Synopsis
The New York Times bestselling debut novel from acclaimed children's author Katherine Hannigan is both very funny and extraordinarily moving, and is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It's a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.
Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down. How does Ida B cope when outside forces--life, really--attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don't), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.
Synopsis
The New York Times bestselling debut novel from acclaimed children's author Katherine Hannigan is both very funny and extraordinarily moving.
Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down.
How does Ida B cope when outside forces--life, really--attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don't), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.
This modern classic is a great choice for independent reading.
Synopsis
In this first novel by Hannigan, readers are introduced to Ida B. Applewood, a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and a family like no other. How does Ida B cope when outside forces--life, really--attempt to derail her, her family, and her future?In this first novel by Hannigan, readers are introduced to Ida B, a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and a family like no other. How does Ida B cope when outside forces--life, really--attempt to derail her, her family, and her future?
Synopsis
Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down. How does Ida B cope when outside forces—life, really—attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don't), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.
This first novel is both very funny and extraordinarily moving, and it introduces two shining stars—Katherine Hannigan and Ida B. Applewood.
Synopsis
Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down. How does Ida B cope when outside forces-; life, really-; attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don't), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.
This first novel is both very funny and extraordinarily moving, and it introduces two shining stars-; Katherine Hannigan and Ida B. Applewood.
Synopsis
A girl discovers adventure at every highway turn in this effervescent debut that's
Savvy meets
Little Miss SunshineAfter Lyssa's mother dies, her kind but clueless new stepfather moves with her to the suburbs of Seattle in the hopes of making a fresh start. But Lyssa feels lost and adrift in the rainy Northwest without her mom. And when she finds out that her old house in Texas is about to be bulldozed, something snaps inside her. Fiercely determined, Lyssa climbs onto her scooter and sets off cross-country to save her home.
Beautifully written and sparkling with magic, Zip is a modern-day successor to Alice in Wonderland. It's a joyful Odyssey-esque journey that's perfect for the readers of Savvy.
Synopsis
"Pure whimsical delight. Magic *does* blow throughout the world, and ZIP proves it!"--
New York Times bestelling author Lauren Myracle
When Lyssa’s mother died, so did the magic—that special something that always made the sunflowers grow taller and the strawberry jelly taste sweeter. Now that her mother is gone, Lyssa struggles to get used to a life of the Ordinary with her kind but clueless stepfather in Kirkland, Washington. But secretly, she longs for change.
Then one day change does come, when the most peculiar occurrence brings Lyssa alarming news about her childhood home. With no time to lose, she sets off on a two-wheeled cross-country journey to get back to Texas. But can she get there before the clock runs out?
On her odyssey Lyssa meets some decidedly unusual people, from rowdy cowgirls to a chorus line of singing mermaids. With new friends by her side and the winds of change at her back, Lyssa discovers adventure at every turn--and uncovers her mother’s magic, little by little, all along the way.
Synopsis
"Pure whimsical delight. Magic *does* blow throughout the world, and ZIP proves it!"--
New York Times bestelling author Lauren Myracle
one girl + one scooter = journey of a lifetime
When Lyssas mother died, so did the magicthat special something that always made the sunflowers grow taller and the strawberry jelly taste sweeter. So when Lyssa receives the alarming news that her childhood home in Texas is about to be bulldozed, she sets off on a two-wheeled cross country journey to save her family homeand with it, the last remaining sparkle of her earlier life. On her odyssey, Lyssa meets some decidedly unusual peoplefrom rowdy cowgirls to a chorus line of singing mermaidsand discovers adventure at every highway turn. But its the magic that she uncovers, little by little, along the way that will ultimately put a new zip in her step!
About the Author
Katherine Hannigan is the author of Ida B . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World.She grew up in western New York with a mom, a dad, two boisterous brothers, an array of stray dogs and cats, and some rodents that usually remained caged.She has undergraduate degrees in mathematics, education, and painting, and a graduate degree in studio art.She has worked as an education coordinator for Head Start and, most recently, as an assistant professor of art and design.She now lives in a tiny town in northeastern Iowa that’s surrounded by woods and hills and fields.Lulu the cat, a character in Ida B, lives there, too, along with her feline stepbrothers Mackie, Norbert, and Winston.