Synopses & Reviews
Laszlo Emberek is caught between two worlds: the bucolic life of a shepherd, tending his family's flock of sheep with his beloved dog, Gizi, and the secret life of his parents, who can become wolves at will. Laszlo has long yearned for the day when he will run beside them in the woods, when he will learn to change. But before that day arrives, the family's secret is discovered by a village girl a ward of the cruel and corrupt priest. Now Laszlo must choose to remain in one world or dwell in two, and decide for himself who is the true monster: the gentle people who can turn themselves into magnificent wolves, or the men who would gladly see them burnt alive.
Review
"The stew of adolescent emotions...is made more complex by the terrifyingly beautiful and dangerous world [Laszlo] has entered. Not as action-packed as readers might like, but layered and thought-provoking." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"The character who represents evil wears the vestments of the established church. Call it irony or revisionist history, Jennings makes his case with dramatic and ethical clarity." Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
Synopsis
Laszlo Emberek is caught between two worlds: the bucolic life of a shepherd, tending his family's small flock of sheep with his beloved dog, Gizi, and the secret life of his parents, who can "change" into wolves at will. 13-yr-old Laszlo knows his change will come soon. But when his family's secret is discovered by a village girl a ward of the evil and corrupt priest, no less Laszlo must decide how he wants to live. Can he trust himself to remain compassionately human as other, wilder instincts overcome him? And are humans truly less dangerous than the wolves they hate with such passion?
Synopsis
In France during a time of witch-hunts, in a village with a corrupt priest, thirteen-year-old Lazlo longs to be able to turn into a wolf as his parents can, but also desires the friendship of a village girl.
About the Author
Patrick Jennings was born in Crown Point, Indiana in 1962; He graduated from Arizona State University in 1985 with a bachelor of fine arts. He has taught preschool and English as a Second/Other Language to adults. In 1993 he lived in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico where he taught English as a Foreign Language to students, ranging in age from preschoolers to adults. Afterwards Patrick moved to Bisbee, AZ where he worked afternoons in the library, dedicating the rest of his working time to writing and doing activities (readings, storytimes, art activities) with children. One of his goals in visiting schools is to help children realize the value of their education and creative potential. His daughter, Odette, was born in April 1999, and he has happily been dividing his time between caring for her and writing.