About this item
Resourceful fourteen-year-old Odette is on the move again, traveling as a stowaway on a cheese cart with her hapless mother, Anneline. They are in Burgundy, France, in 1799, fleeing yet another calamity caused by Anneline (who is prone to killing people accidentally) . At dawn they find themselves in a town called Nevers, which is filled with eccentric characters, including a man who obsessively smells hands, another who dreams of becoming a chicken, and a donkey that keeps the town awake at night, braying about his narrow life. As Odette establishes a home in an abandoned guardhouse, she makes a friend in the relaxed Nicois and finds work as a midwife's assistant. She and Nicois uncover a mystery that may lead to riches and, more important for Odette, a sense of belonging.
About the Author
Sara Cassidy is the author of ten critically acclaimed novels for children and young teens, most recently The Great Googlini. "A thoughtful glimpse into the life of an immigrant family [and a] refreshingly straightforward look at cancer and the struggle of having a loved one undergo treatment. For fans of Google, trivia, and family strength." -- Kirkus, starred reviewPublishers Weekly called Cassidy's early novel A Boy Named Queen "an eloquent celebration of individuality." The novel was a bestseller.Cassidy's three short novels about two boys who move from the city to the country -- Not For Sale, Blackberry Juice and Black Gold -- are "cheerful and full of insight," according to Booklist, and "hard to put down," writes the School Library Journal. Her novel Skylark, about a girl who discovers the transportive power of poetry while living in a car with her mother and brother, is "an excellent, brief look at homelessness and resiliency," wrote Puget Sound Review of Children's Media. The Vancouver Sun called it "beautifully written, full-bodied in its every aspect."Double Play is about a boy who wants to play on the girls' baseball team, and about the children of a same-sex couple in a small, conservative town. "Engaging, charming, a home run." -- BooklistIn Sara's chapter book Seeing Orange, seven-year-old Leland struggles at school despite being incredibly imaginative and skilled at drawing. "The content is just fantastic. My heart broke for this kid and the very real and very common problems that he has at school," said CBC Radio book reviewer Nikki Tate. Library Media Connection described Seeing Orange as "full of vivid descriptions and emotion...a fine choice for both classroom and school libraries." Slick and Windfall are about strong-willed Liza Maybird, 13, as she evolves into an environmental activist. "A well-written, fast-paced, high-interest novel with compelling characters written for reluctant readers. Liza is an appealing, interesting and realistic character. The book also encourages girls and tweens in general to become interested in political issues and current events." -- CM Magazine, four stars. "With its short length and high-interest, action-packed nature, this empowering book will be a favorite with younger teens." -- School Library Journal Sara lives in Victoria, BC. In 2019, her works will include the board book, the Moon is a Silver Pond, and a middle-grade novel, Nevers (Orca Book Publishers) ; a chapter book about a reluctant pirate, Scalliwag on the Salish Sea (Heritage House) ; and a wordless picture book, Helen's Birds (Groundwood Books) .
