White Fur Flying (Paperback)

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White Fur Flying By Patricia MacLachlan Cover Image
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Staff Reviews


When your father is a veterinarian who rescues a parrot with an odd sense of humor, why not have a mother who takes in Great Pyrenees dogs? Sisters Zoe and Alice are very different. But what they have in common is a loving family and a desire to help their new neighbor, Phillip, a young boy who does not speak. A touching story of how puppy love, friendship and a little understanding can go a long way. Quirky dialog will put this right up there with MacLachlan’s other great tails. — Jeanette

Spring '13 Kids List


“Zoe's mother rescues Great Pyrenees dogs, caring for them until a new home can be found. Across the street, Philip is moving in with his aunt and uncle. Philip doesn't speak, and no one knows why. Up until now, Zoe's family has been rescuing dogs. This time, it may be the dogs that do the rescuing. This simple, poetic story of trust and friendship will steal your heart. A line from the book perfectly describes MacLachlan's writing: '[she] always tells the truth ... even if it is fiction.'”
— Marika McCoola, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA

Description


A young boy tries to find his voice with the help of some four-legged friends in this “elegantly spare novel about the healing power of dogs and love” (Publishers Weekly), from the Newbery-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Zoe’s family rescues dogs in need. There is always the sweet smell of dog and a warm body looking to cuddle or play. There is always a new dog to be saved, and loved. Fur flies everywhere. It covers everything. Zoe’s house is never silent.

The house across the street is always silent these days. A new family has moved in and Phillip, the boy, has stopped speaking. He doesn’t even want to try.

Saving dogs and saving boys may be different jobs, but Zoe learns that some parts are the same. Both take attention and care. They take understanding and time. And maybe just a bit of white fur flying.

From Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan, White Fur Flying is an endearing tale of companionship and hope that is “beautifully told, quietly moving, and completely satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews).

About the Author


Patricia MacLachlan (1938–2022) was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb’s StoryEdward’s EyesThe True GiftWaiting for the MagicWhite Fur Flying; Fly Away; and Snow Horses. She lived in western Massachusetts.

Praise For…


"MacLachlan delivers yet another understated, quietly inspirational chapter book with this tale.... This is tailor-made for beginning readers looking for a gentle handling of powerfully felt emotions."
— Booklist

* "Beautifully told, quietly moving and completely satisfying."
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"MacLachlan crafts an elegantly spare novel about the healing power of dogs and love.... A graceful and quiet narrative with keen observations on how time and affection can remedy pain."
— Publishers Weekly

"MacLachlan shares with young audiences a touching story of compassion, trust, and patience. She weaves the themes of family and friendship throughout the narrative, peppering her well-paced plot with sufficient tension and avoiding an overdramatization of its climax. Like many of the author’s best stories, this one is told simply and gently with touches of light humor. The clear prose, combined with the brevity of the narrative, make the book an ideal selection for young readers, reluctant readers, and animal lovers everywhere. Children will feel satisfied as they discover that both dogs and boys can be rescued, and many will be pleasantly surprised that they can also rescue one another."
— School Library Journal


Product Details
ISBN: 9781442421721
ISBN-10: 144242172X
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: April 8th, 2014
Pages: 144
Language: English