Because of the Rabbit
Cynthia Lord, Author
Scholastic Press, Fiction, Mar. 26, 2019
Pages: 192
Suitable for Ages: 8-12
Themes: Rabbit, Rescue, New school, Feeling different, Special Needs, Friendship
Book Synopsis:
It is a powerful thing to rescue something. It changes both of you.
On the last night of summer vacation, Emma tags along with her game warden father on a call. They expect to rescue a wild rabbit that’s stuck in a picket fence, but instead they find a honey-colored little bunny, maybe someone’s pet. Emma convinces her father to bring him home for the night. She knows that rabbits can be lucky — and she needs all the luck she can get.
Because the next day, Emma starts public school for the very first time. After years of being homeschooled, she’s ready to ride the bus and eat in a cafeteria as a brand new fifth grader. More than anything, Emma wants a best friend, someone who’s always on her side.
But things don’t go as planned. On the first day of school, she’s paired with a boy named Jack for a project. He can’t stay on topic, he speaks out of turn, and he’s obsessed with animals. Jack does not fit in.
As Emma and Jack bond over her rescue rabbit, she worries that being seen with Jack will mean that’s she’s different, too. Will their friendship keep Emma from finding the best friend she’s meant to have?
Why I like this book:
A heart warming story about the bond between Emma and a rabbit that helps her face some major changes in her life. This sweet honey-colored rabbit nuzzles her neck and her worries melt away. She names him Monsieur Lapin, after a rabbit character in her deceased grandfather’s magical stories. Perhaps Pépère (grandfather) may be sending some rabbit magic and her life will be okay.
Lord writes characters with depth. I really enjoyed Emma’s relationship with her brother, Owen, and the clever banter between them that runs throughout the story. For example on Emma’s first day of school, Owen asks her, “So who’s ahead. Scared or Excited?” Emma responds, “excited has been training all summer for this day. Scared forgot to eat breakfast.” Owen slides a rock into her hand that says, “Be Yourself,” and tells her to look at it when she needs it most. Their sibling relationship sealed Lord’s story for me, because it is such special and unusual. And Emma’s relationship with a classmate, Jack, who is on the on the autism spectrum, took time to develop and was well worth the outcome. Jack knows a lot of facts about rabbits and their relationship is sealed with their love of animals.
Each chapter of the book starts with a torn piece of notebook paper with a rabbit fact: “If a rabbit refuses food, it can quickly become an emergency,” or “Rabbits are the third-most surrendered pets to animals shelters, behind dogs and cats.” Fun tidbits readers will enjoy.
I enjoyed learning about at the end how Lord explains how her books begin from a tiny “seed” of her real life and allows it to percolate over time until a story begins to form. And yes, she has rabbits. Many of the characters in this story are based on family members, including her son who has a sensory issues. She beautifully weaves them into her story.
Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of Rules, a Newbery Honor Book and a Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed Half a Chance and A Handful of Stars. She made her picture-book debut with Hot Rod Hamster, which won several awards, including the Parents’ Choice Award, and is the author of the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at her website.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Reviewed from a library copy.
It’s amazing how animals can make such a difference. I love this book already.
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They do. We had an albino rabbit as a child and I loved the rabbit. Dressed it in doll clothes and entered pet shows and won.
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How sweet, an albino rabbit! What a nice memory!
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I’m not aware of many books about homeschoolers and the transition back to a regular school. Thanks for reviewing this one, Pat!
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I may have reviewed another a while ago, but kids who are transitioning to public school will have Emma to identify with and help them. Lord really writes great character.
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Sounds like a great book! I love stories with animals. Thanks for sharing!
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It is a fun animal adventure!
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This sounds like a great book. I love the part – “So who’s ahead. Scared or Excited?” and the part where she puts facts about rabbits at the beginning of each chapter. Thanks for the review.
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That was just one of many, many examples of how she used feeling like “scared or excited,” throughout. It was a different way of understanding Emma’s emotions, with the support of her brother. I like to think “Jack” had part of writing the rabbit facts at the beginning of each chapter — that’s what he’d do.
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I’ve enjoyed Cynthia’s other books and will also have to read this one. The characters sound great and I raised rabbits when I was a teen in 4-H. Loved the few lines you shared.
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I know you will enjoy Lord’s new book. And I think many of us had rabbits as kids, thanks to a time when kids won them at Easter eggs hunts.
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Thank you for letting me know about another book I want to read! I love the title.
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You are welcome. You will love Lord’s writing style.
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My family had pet rabbits when I was a teen, and they’ve always seemed incredibly self-aware animals to me! I think I’d love this book for that reason, plus you can’t miss with a book by Cynthia Lord!
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I agree. I haven’t read a Lord book I haven’t loved.
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Sounds like a sweet story. And kids will love the rabbit. I really enjoyed that little snippet of dialogue you shared.
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the review. It’s a uplifting read.
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I loved RULES by this author. I’m sure I’d love this too. Thanks, Patricia, for bringing this to my attention.
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Almost hot off the press! I know you’d enjoy Lord’s new book — and so will her fans.
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I loved this book as well and will be featuring it on my blog soon. I thought the relationships were just perfect in this one. Thanks for your thoughts.
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I’m glad you loved her book! Will look forward to your review — spread that book love.
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I have never read a Cynthia Lord book I didn’t absolutely LOVE. This one sounds like another must-read. I am putting it on my Kindle immediately!
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Oh, you must be introduced to her books. You will enjoy this one, but all of her books shine. And, they are quick reads. Also loved Half a Chance, and a Handful of Stars.
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Love your review and this book! It sounds like a “must read.” There are 7 copies on order at the SF Public Library. I now have one on hold.
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I knew it was coming out and put a hold on it a while ago, so I got it right away. It is a sweet book and you will enjoy Lord’s writing style.
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Sounds like a beautiful story and I love the cover. Hopefully they have it in our library. Thanks Pat.
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Also reminded me of the upcoming holidays and spring. Quick read, with a unique style. Loved it!
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Awww–I love rabbit stories! This cover is lovely, and I hope I get a chance to read this one soon, Patricia. Thanks for sharing for it for MMGM!
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Thanks June! It is filled with a lot of heart and many readers will identify. It’s worth reading because of Lord’s writing style.
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You have introduced me to another author I didn’t know (which is shameful after reading the comments above). A good one for my 10-year-old granddaughter, it seems. You are leading me on as a good “reading” grandmother in so many ways! Thanks.
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Ha, Ha! I’m delighted you are becoming a good book reading grandma. This book just came out, so not to despair. It is a quick read and can be read aloud. But, it is delightful!
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🙂
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