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THE HOLLOW UNDER THE TREE

Cary Fagan

When a circus train derails in Toronto in 1925, a lion escapes and finds shelter in High Park, a four-hundred-acre park in the west end of the city. No one knows about the creature except for Sadie Menken, the feisty daughter of a pie-maker. As various squirrels, dogs and an expensive peacock meet unfortunate ends, and the park "beast" is spotted by visitors, the lion's presence draws the attention of the authorities.

Can Sadie save the lion? Can she resist the temptation to try to make a pet of a creature that is wild at heart?

That will take the help of some unlikely allies, including her busy pie-making father, Miss Clemons the retired librarian, and a polite but lonely rich boy named Theodore, as Sadie discovers that an “all-right” ending can sometimes be just happy enough.

A story about a child who follows her heart, set at a time when kids were not always under a grownup's watchful eye, when wild and urban spaces intertwined, and adventure could be found in a city's back alley, or just past the picnic tables of the local park.
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Published 2018-05-01 by Groundwood Books

Comments

[...] A quick read for younger middle grade readers looking for slightly offbeat mysteries. A solid purchase. -- School Library Journal

[...] The accessible, humorous storytelling voice, its sketch of life in an earlier time, and the premise of a wild beast who calms down with good food and caring friends all combine to make this short chapter book an excellent read. Equally suitable as a read-aloud or as a choice for independent reading, this short chapter book will please animal enthusiasts and readers of tales about brave girls alike. -- Kirkus Review Read more...

[...] Featuring a spirited, well-drawn protagonist and multifaceted side characters, as well as incorporating a bit of the fantastical within the realistic setting, this also interweaves familiar themes, from dealing with bullies to finding friendship and trust. With short, manageable chapters, descriptive historical details, this accessible, engaging read has ample appeal for fans of animal stories. -- Booklist

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