Strange Wonders of Roots

by Evan Griffith, Jennifer Jill Araya (Read by)

Overview

From the acclaimed author of Manatee Summer comes a poignant story about a girl who learns to lay down roots as she’s drawn into a fight over a local grove of trees that’s in danger of being torn down. Perfect for fans of Hoot and Operation Redwood.

Holly Foster knows that nothing lasts—not hometowns or schools, or even family. It’s just safer to keep herself uninvolved. So when she’s sent to spend part of the summer with her uncle, she knows better than to get attached to him…or any part of his small Vermont town of Arden.

But when she arrives, she’s drawn into the drama that’s split the town: The local plastic factory is trying to tear down the trees in the center of Arden to build a visitor’s center and museum. Holly shocks herself by stepping into the fray and taking on one of the most powerful families in the area. But as she learns more about the town—and makes a new friend or two—Holly is determined to protect the one place she thinks she could finally belong. But will she be able to convince the other townspeople that the trees deserve to stay?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798874628796
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/28/2024
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Evan Griffith is the author of the picture book Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist and Manatee Summer. He received his MFA in writing for children and young adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. He lives in Austin, TX. Visit Evan online at EvanGriffithBooks.com.

Jennifer Jill Araya has been listening to audiobooks since she was a young child, so the fact that she gets to narrate them for a living is a dream come true. Trained as an opera singer and an orchestral cellist, she uses that experience to bring musicality and a depth of understanding to the recording booth. When not narrating, she can be found biking, running, hiking, or exploring with her husband in her home town of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

"There’s so much to celebrate in this book—the lovely prose, the realistic character development, the call to nurture our own mycelial connection to nature. Griffith writes with such warmth and such love for all his characters that it’s hard to put this book down, and I didn’t!"  — Brian Young, American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Honor winning author of Healer of the Water Monster

"A story both lyrically exquisite and wildly alive about the ties that bind us—to each other and to the earth. In The Strange Wonders of Roots, Griffith demonstrates the great gift—and responsibility—of belonging to one other." — Liz Garton Scanlon, author of Lolo's Light

“Readers seeking a title that touches on the environment, pollution, and the interconnectedness of life will find many educational moments woven into this gentle tale. A quiet story to spark conversation about conservation and community.” — Kirkus Reviews

"The town of Arden and its population of quirky townsfolk come alive through Griffith's vibrant prose and specific details. This compelling story about the power of putting down roots will speak to anyone who has ever felt a little (or a lot) out of place." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The story works on multiple levels; loner Holly must navigate new relationships and reexamine existing ones, all while learning about civic engagement and ecology. Hand this book to young readers who love realistic fiction and want to save the planet.” — School Library Journal

"Holly is a well-drawn, likable protagonist dropped into a New England setting, where she thrives. A gentle, uplifting, and memorable story." — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher