Willodeen

The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . .

Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kinds, but her favourites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as 'screechers'. The villagers of Perchance call them pests, even monsters, but Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature.

Lately, though, nature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled. For as long as anyone can remember, the tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists from far and wide. This year, however, not a single hummingbear has returned to Perchance, and no one knows why.

When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friend, Connor, she's determined to speak up for the animals she loves, and perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears.

A timely and timeless tale about our fragile earth, and one girl's fierce determination to make a difference.

Katherine Applegate is the author ofThe One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal. Her books have been widely acclaimed andNew York Times bestsellers. She lives in Tiburon, California, with her family.Charles Santoso has illustrated several picture books as well as fiction. He has worked at Animal Logic as a concept artist / art director and has been involved in various animated feature film and TV commercials. His work has been exhibited in Sydney, North America and France.

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