Applegate does a wonderful job of tackling large issues (homelessness, animal rights, bigotry) and without reducing or minimalizing making them understandable to young readers. Willodeen, the novel, discusses the idea of balance in nature, and the impact of humans and our interference in nature's ecosystems. Willodeen the character is an orphan, and a prickly child. Taken in by an elderly presumably lesbian couple, she is loved but unable to accept it. Her town survives through the annual pilgrimage of hummingbears, delightful animals that are peaceful mini bears with hummingbird wings and appetites, who create beautiful nests from bubbles they blow. But Willodean prefers the Screetchers, animals that resemble warthogs, have sharp claws and teeth, let out bloodcurdling screams (hence the name) and who regularly (and always when feeling threatened) release noxious odors. The town lost a large part of their population (including Willodean's family) to a fire, and the fires seem to be happening more regularly. With the loss of people, and the hit on the economy, the local populace needs the hummingbears and the tourism they inspire even more. But the hummingbear population no longer seems to be visiting their town. With the use of a little magical realism, Willodean comes into possession of a baby screetcher, who she seeks to save, and in the end discovers a way to save the entire town. Through the course of the novel, Willodean learns to let people in, to find her voice as an individual and as a budding scientist A lovely novel with another quiet social message about finding one's own family and taking care of our environment.

Title: Willodeen
Author: Katherine Applegate
Publication Date: September 7, 2021

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Applegate has woven another vibrantly descriptive tale for the ages.

On its surface, Willodeen is an 11 year old girl who has suffered great loss in her young life. But, read farther and you’ll learn she’s been taught to question, to search for answers, and that she in fact does have a voice worth being heard.

Travel with her, Connor, Duuzuu the hummingbear, and Quinby the screecher as they learn how working together benefits everyone, and everything, in the town of Perchance.

“She has just a moment on this old, wise earth, this earth that will always be wiser than its inhabitants. And she is lucky indeed to be part of its magic.”

#BookReview #Willodeen #KatherineApplegate #NetGalleyARC #MGLit

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

Really sweet story that reminds us that we are all connected, sometimes in surprising and unexpected ways. Perfect middle grade read for children who may not be ready to tackle a longer novel. The cover is so cute, too!

Can’t wait to add a copy, or two, to my library when it’s published. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Willodeen is a soon to be 11 year old girl who is being raised by two old women after she barely escapes the fire that killed her family. She is different from other kids and would probably be on the autism spectrum due to her difficulty making eye contact and not understanding other people. The story takes place at the time of candles for light, ink pots for writing, and new steam engines, but also includes imaginary plants and creatures described so well they feel real. My favorites are the blue willow trees with leaves that turn dark blue and shiny silver in autumn and cute little hummingbears that make nests in trees out of sticky bubbles.

Willodeen observes nature and records what she sees which helps her figure out the connection between hummingbears that are greatly valued and screechers which are hated because they smell bad. The screechers are almost extinct and hummingbears are disappearing as a result.

I loved this middle grade book and plan to buy a copy as soon as it is published. The message is one of family, the difference one person can make, and how we are all connected to nature. I think it would be a great book for a reluctant reader and I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for a temporary digital ARC to use for my review.

I was so excited to receive an advance copy of Willodeen and this book did not disappoint! This is such a sweet, imaginative story that carries with it lessons about the environment, nature, and kindness. Katherine Applegate has once again created characters (both human and animal) that you will fall in love with and wish they were YOUR best friends so you could help, too. This is an easy read and because it is hard to put down, you could finish it in a couple of hours. It will make a great addition to any classroom and would also make a great bedtime read aloud.at home. The chapters are short, so it will be easy to read an extra one or two when the kids beg you not to stop! Kids will probably figure out what is causing the hummingbears to disappear even before Willodeen, but that does not make the story any less appealing - in fact, they will be pleased with themselves for figuring it out!

Love Applegate's stories (appropriate for children in grade three and above), which incorporate magic elements, and focus on the relationships between people and people and nature. This book features Willodeen, an eleven year old girl who has lost her family in a fire and been taken in by two older woman who are thespians. Willodeen adores screechers despite their horrible stench and discovers their importance to the beloved hummingbears, which are dwindling, but upon which the people of her small village depend upon for their survival. In this story, Willodeen bravely overcomes her fear to advocate for the screechers, makes a friend, and heals from her loss. It's not stated directly, but it's likely Willodeen is on the autism spectrum, and the two women who took her in are lesbisns. It's a story about the meaning of home and belonging, the importance of diversity, environmental conservation and advocacy, the interrelatedness of all, and it led to a rich conversation with my nine year old child.

This book has to be on your TBR list, however old you are. Ms. Applegate's tale brings home the thought that there is room at the table for everyone, especially when your world depends on everyone and everything getting along. I fell in love with all of the characters, especially the Screecher. "Willodeen" is a book that should be read aloud to as many children as possible.

Willowdeen, the book, is a quiet reminder to everyone that all creatures have a place in this world and that all should be cared for and respected. Willowdeen, the character is kind, brave, empathetic and a good friend to all. Her past sorrows help her appreciate and care for those creatures that people want to dislike. With a name like screecher it is easy to dislike. But Willowdeen sees past the name the the animal inside. Her friendship with Connor starts out rocky because Wil,lowdeen is quick to assume negative things about him like others do about screechers. But through quiet and calm perseverance Connor is able to prove that he is not like his father. Connor and Willowdeen set out to show everyone the value of screechers. Quiet, unassuming, yet powerful. This book will be loved by all kids.

I loved it! I love Katherine Applegate! Willodeen is a beautifully written story by Applegate. The short chapters make it a quick read. You will fall in love with the characters, Willodee, her new friend Connor, her Hummingbear Duuzuu and her Quinlan. This a great book to show our students how humans and nature depend on each other to keep things in balance. I will have to buy multiple copies of this book for my elementary library!

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for the opportunity to read an arc version of this book!

Willodeen is a great middle-grade novel featuring an 11 year old girl who lost her family in a fire. Willodeen (protagonist) now lives with two neighborhood thespians who frequently break out into song, which adds to the light-hearted tone. There is a lot of friendship in this story, and a strong message about the impact of our community actions on the environment--highly recommend adding to your middle grade classroom library.

Like her other stories this book is realistic but with make believe animals. It's a story about community and nature working together. The Hummingbears left because the town eliminated the disgusting, stinky, and loud screechers. Being inquisitive, Willodeen in her research discovers this bit of information and becomes brave enough to alert the townspeople. Willodeen is a young girl who lost her family in a fire and still grieves for them wondering why she survived. Being very much a loner Willodeen finds it hard to have a friend until Conner makes her a screecher that comes alive creating a beautiful friendship.

Willodeen is a fast-paced magical story from Katherine Applegate. Willodeen is a young girl who has lost her entire family and now lives with two women in her neighborhood. She is drawn to nature and the unusual animals that live near her. She will do anything to protect them. She befriends a boy from her town, and they work to care for and understand the animals and environment around them. This is a tender story that readers will fall in love with.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I can't wait to recommend Willodeen to my students once it hits the shelves! Sure to be a classic, this novel is classic Katherine Applegate...strong characters, beautiful prose, amazing story of love and family, and the added benefit of a profound love of nature, creatures, and the earth. I was immediately drawn in by Willodeen. She is a spectacular main character-one that many girls will be able to connect with. I feel certain this wonderful book will be loved by many, both young and old. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced eCopy.

Eleven year old Willodeen has been through a lot in her young life, including the fire that took her family and home. Taken in by two elderly sisters, Willodeen is brought up to be a child of nature, constantly observing and noting changes in the mountains around her. When the annual migration of hummingbears does not happen, the villagers blame the weird looking animals called screechers and set a price upon their heads. The annual migration is a tourist and financial bonanza for the town each year. Willodeen has always been fond of the ugly and stinky critters and is dismayed to find that they have been hunted to near extinction in the hills surrounding the town of Perchance. After receiving a surprise birthday gift, Willodeen experiences a magical event which eventually leads her to solve the problem of the missing hummingbears. Finally learning to use her voice, Willodeen stands up at the town council meeting and shares her observations about how to reverse the damage that has been done to their environment by removing the screechers from the land. A satisfying read for fans of Greta Thunberg and other kids who are standing up for what they believe with just enough of a fantasy/magical element to keep the story from becoming preachy.

Willowdeen is a traumatized young girl who keeps to herself while coming to grips with the loss of her family. She has a love for nature and the fantastical creatures that inhabit her special little town's environs. While immersing herself in the habits of those creatures she makes a discovery that will affect everyone in her town and give her courage to create attachments and relationships and find her voice.
Applegate has created a lovely fantasy that every human with a heart will relate to! Highly recommend for children, middle schoolers, but even older kids will appreciate this story.

Socially awkward 11 year old, Willodeen, is more comfortable exploring the woods than in attending school. she appreciates all creatures, no matter how smelly they may be. When the town's beloved hummingbears start to disappear and affect the local tourist economy, Willodeen's observations helps to uncover the interconnections among nature's creatures and they are all dependent upon each other to survive. Katherine Applegate weaves together a heart warming story about the need to protect, preserve and understand the natural world.

A wonderful children's/YA book that explains in beautiful terms how all of us are connected in nature, and how we all play an important role, no matter how big or small or smelly we may be. Perfect for classroom discussions on nature and how the food chain works as well.

This was my first book to read by this author and I can't wait to read more! The characters are amazing and the story flows so well. Really cannot recommend this one enough!!

This was such a lovely read. Katherine Applegate's standalone books are just so lovely with delicate prose and strong characters. Here, we have Willodeen, an 11 year old girl who is (informally) adopted by two older women in her village after her family dies in a brutal fire. She's a little odd and friendless, she loves nature, and if this weren't a fantasy she would probably be coded as autistic/on the autism spectrum. I loved her burgeoning friendship with Connor and her love and care of animals. This would be a strong read for those into conservation and talking about taking care of the earth with young readers.

Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read an advance copy of this sweet book. It’s a wonderful tale about humans and other creatures and the earth and how we’re all connected. It beautifully interweaves a story of love and family and friendship. The illustrations are enchanting (even on my old kindle). Highly recommend!