WILLODEAN by Katherine Applegate
HARDCOVER
Author: Katherine Applegate
WILLODEAN is a gentle and thoughtful novel about caring for the natural world and standing up for what others overlook. Eleven-year-old Willodeen loves all creatures, especially the ones everyone else dislikes.
While the people of her town see screechers as pests, Willodeen understands that every animal has a place in nature. When the balance of the world around her begins to fail -fires, floods, illness, and the mysterious disappearance of the hummingbears - Willodeen knows something is wrong. As her town struggles, she teams up with her new friend Connor and follows clues that may explain what’s happening to the animals and the land they depend on.
Katherine Applegate’s writing is calm, clear, and full of meaning, making complex ideas about nature and responsibility easy to understand. The story blends gentle magic with real-world concerns, encouraging empathy, curiosity, and respect for the environment.
Perfect for thoughtful readers and nature lovers, Willodeen is a hopeful and inspiring read. It reminds us that small voices matter, and that caring for the most vulnerable can make a real difference to the world around us.