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Staff Pick
A deeply moving and beautifully written middle grade historical novel set during the Great Depression, Echo Mountain features a wise old hag, untamed wilderness, and a lovable protagonist. A coming-of-age story that celebrates folk medicine and the beauty of the natural world, this book is for kids who want to learn to listen to their own inner voice and retain a sense of wildness. An atmospheric, tender triumph! Recommended By Ariel K., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
The Newbery Honor-winning author of Wolf Hollow returns with the story of an unforgettable young heroine in Depression-era Maine.
After the financial crash, Ellie and her family have lost nearly everything--including their home in town. Forced to start over, Ellie has found a welcome freedom, and a love of the natural world, in her new life on Echo Mountain. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that left her father in a coma. An accident for which Ellie has accepted the unearned weight of blame.
Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as "the hag." But the hag, and the mountain, still have many untold stories left to reveal and, with them, a fresh chance at happiness.
Critically acclaimed author Lauren Wolk weaves a stunning tale of resilience, persistence, and friendship across three generations of strong women, set against the rough and ragged beauty of the mountain they all call home.
Review
"[A] magnificently related story of the wide arc of responsibility, acceptance, and, ultimately, connectedness.... A luscious, shivery delight." Kirkus, starred review
Review
"Complex and fiercely loving, Ellie is a girl any reader would be proud to have as a friend.... Woven with music, puppies, and healing, Wolk's beautiful storytelling turns this historical tale of family and survival into a captivating saga." Booklist, starred review
Review
"A girl realizes her standout gifts as a healer in this exquisitely layered historical novel set in Depression-era Maine.... Via strongly sketched cabin-life cadences and memorable, empathic characterizations — including, perhaps most vividly, of the wilderness itself — Newbery Honoree Wolk builds a powerful, well-paced portrait of interconnectedness, work and learning, and strength in a time of crisis." Publishers Weekly, starred review
Synopsis
"Soothing and exquisitely written." -
People "Surely there has never been a better time to read about healing, of both the body and the heart." -The New York Times Book Review
"A supple tale of struggle, ingenuity and the restorative power of generosity even in bitter times. This is a book that will soothe readers like a healing balm." -The Wall Street Journal
"Brilliant." -Lynda Mullaly Hunt, bestselling author of Fish in a Tree
When the Great Depression takes almost everything they own, Ellie's family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed forests of nearby Echo Mountain. Ellie has found a welcome freedom, and a love of the natural world, in her new life on the mountain. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that has left her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie.
Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as "the hag." But the hag, and the mountain, still have many untold stories left to reveal and, with them, a fresh chance at happiness.
Echo Mountain is celebration of finding your own path and becoming your truest self. Lauren Wolk, the Newbery Honor- and Scott O'Dell Award-winning author of Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea weaves a stunning tale of resilience, persistence, and friendship across three generations of families, set against the rough and ragged beauty of the mountain they all call home.
Synopsis
★ "
Historical fiction at its finest." -
The Horn Book
"There has never been a better time to read about healing, of both the body and the heart.
" -
The New York Times Book ReviewEcho Mountain is an acclaimed best book of 2020
An NPR Best Book of the Year - A
Horn Book Fanfare Selection - A
Kirkus Best Book of the Year - A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year - A
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year - A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
After losing almost everything in the Great Depression, Ellie's family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed wilderness of nearby Echo Mountain. Ellie has found a welcome freedom, and a love of the natural world, in her new life on the mountain. But there is little joy after a terrible accident leaves her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie.
Ellie is a girl who takes matters into her own hands, and determined to help her father she will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as "the hag." But the hag, and the mountain, still have many untold stories left to reveal.
Historical fiction at its finest, Echo Mountain is celebration of finding your own path and becoming your truest self. Lauren Wolk, the Newbery Honor- and Scott O'Dell Award-winning author of Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea, weaves a stunning tale of resilience, persistence, and friendship across three generations of families.
"Soothing and exquisitely written." -People
"This is a book that will soothe readers like a healing balm." -The Wall Street Journal
"Brilliant." -Lynda Mullaly Hunt, bestselling author of Fish in a Tree
About the Author
Lauren Wolk is an award-winning poet, artist, and author of the adult novel Those Who Favor Fire, the Newbery Honor-winning novel Wolf Hollow, and the Scott O'Dell Award-winning Beyond the Bright Sea. She was born in Baltimore and has since lived in California, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Canada, and Ohio. She now lives with her family on Cape Cod.