Synopses & Reviews
Katy Thatcher was the bright and curious daughter of the town doctor. She was fascinated by her fathers work, and even as a child she knew that she too wanted to be a doctor. She wanted to know about people. Perhaps it was this, her insatiable curiosity, or simply the charm of Jacobs gentle intimacy with animals large and small, that fueled their friendship. Although Jacob never spoke to her or even looked at her directly, Katy grew to understand him from the moments they spent together quietly singing to the horses. She knew there was meaning in the sounds he made and purpose behind his movements. So when events took an unexpected and tragic turn, it was Katy alone who could unravel the mystery of what had occurred, and why.
A two-time recipient of the prestigious Newbery Medal, acclaimed author Lois Lowry presents a sensitive and moving story of a wide-eyed young girl growing up at the beginning of the twentieth century and the influence of the farm community around her. Through Katys eyes, readers can see the human face so often hidden under modern psychological terminology and experience for themselves the haunting impact of her friendship with the silent boy.
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"Well-crafted and narrated by a perceptive, large–hearted child."
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'"Emotionally devastating and infinitely haunting."'
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'"Not since Autumn Street has Lowry written a novel that injects childhood experience so deeply with adult tone."'
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'"Lowry excels in developing strong and unique characters."'
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"Lowry's latest achievement delivers complexity disguised as simplicity—providing depth through her child–narrator's eyes."
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“The author balances humor and generosity with the obstacles and injustice of Katys world to depict a complete picture of the turn of the century.” Publishers Weekly, Starred
“Lowrys latest achievement delivers complexity disguised as simplicity—providing depth through her child-narrators eyes.” VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
“Emotionally devastating and infinitely haunting.” Horn Book
“Not since Autumn Street has Lowry written a novel that injects childhood experience so deeply with adult tone.” The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Lowry excels in developing strong and unique characters.” School Library Journal
“Well-crafted and narrated by a perceptive, large-hearted child.” Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
From the two-time Newbery Medalist comes turn-of-the-century story of a young girl's haunting friendship with boy who never speaks to her or even looks at her directly, but whom she grows to understand.
About the Author
Lois Lowry is known for her versatility and invention as a writer. She was born in Hawaii and grew up in New York, Pennsylvania, and Japan. After several years at Brown University, she turned to her family and to writing. She is the author of more than thirty books for young adults, including the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received countless honors, among them the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Readers Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, NUMBER THE STARS and THE GIVER. Her first novel, A SUMMER TO DIE, was awarded the International Reading Associations Childrens Book Award. Ms. Lowry now divides her time between Cambridge and an 1840s farmhouse in Maine. To learn more about Lois Lowry, see her website at www.loislowry.com