Wolf Hollow

Wolf Hollow
by Lauren Wolk
published in 2016 by Puffin Books

I think I purchased this little gem in Marquette, Michigan at their lovely little homegrown bookstore, Snowbound Books. From Detroit, we made many trips to the jaw dropping Upper Peninsula when one of our sons was in college up there. As I spanned the cozy rooms full of expansive reading material one winter day, Wolf Hollow in its gorgeous jacket leapt off the shelf at me. I noticed it was a Newberry Honor Book and I proceeded to read a few pages; I knew I needed to finish the entire book. Wolf Hollow is crafted from the inside world of emotion. It brilliantly explores truth, integrity, trauma understanding, and when power and those with authority rush in with prejudice. The author, Lauren Wolk, also weaves in tools for facing bullies, learning to listen to an inner truth and sense of knowing, and speaking truth in situations of gaslighting. These are powerful topics for discussion with children and adults. So much wisdom and sadness in this coming of age story!

For kids ages 11 and up ~ great for a read aloud with opportunities for discussion. There aren’t a lot of “happy clappy” parts to this book, but this doesn’t detract from its beauty and deep kindness expressed throughout. Wolf Hollow describes the inner and outer world of WWII through the eyes, heart, mind, and body of young Annabelle in rural Pennsylvania.