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YOUNGER FICTION
Dimopoulos, Elaine

The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow

192 pp. | Charlesbridge | May, 2023 | Trade ISBN 9781623543334 $17.99 | Ebook ISBN 9781632893062 $9.99
(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Doug Salati. "Bird affairs are not rabbit affairs," says Butternut's mother. But when the young rabbit meets Piper, an outgoing and adventurous fledgling robin, she starts connecting with other animals in Milkweed Meadow and finding the world less frightening. Butternut directly addresses readers, dropping carrots of wisdom about story structure and life. "Life-and-death stakes might enhance a story, but they were terrifying to live through." The animal characters are anthropomorphized, but they retain core species characteristics and behaviors; some readers may even recognize the dynamics of wildlife interactions around the bird feeder near Butternut's den. Salati's (Hot Dogp, rev. 11/22) textured black-and-white illustrations mirror this blend of realism and fantasy. The animals' faces are expressive, but they look like animals, especially in their body language. When Butternut has to decide whether or not to risk her safety to attempt the rescue she's been foreshadowing since the first sentence of chapter one, no one will be surprised. But how it happens is "a wood-gnawing climax," as Butternut's grandmother would say. This chapter book has a relatively rare and welcome level of depth, and the strong narrative voice, ecological awareness, and themes around the value of connection and community will call to many readers.
Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

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