about the book
Robert’s parents are both famous violinists. His father, who owns four pianos, also composes. His mother runs an acclaimed classical quartet, and droves of quirky musicians show up at their door to audition for it.
His aloof parents are totally involved in the musical scene. Life in their family is all about practicing and preparing for concerts. His parents seem to care more about their musical instruments than Robert, so it isn’t surprising that he feels unloved.
So this summer while his parents are touring, he is thrilled to go to stay with his grandmother Maddy. She is an eccentric old lady, laid back and maybe a bit insane. She tells the strangest, most outrageous stories about her escapades with wild animals. Robert loves their easy caring relationship and the way she calls him Robbie.
As Maddy helps Robbie train his dog, Ellie, she unveils glimpses into his mother’s past. Maddy actually gave his mother her first quarter-sized fiddle when she was only seven—just to distract the bossy tyke. That started the whole music thing. But more importantly, Robbie learns a family secret about his mother’s past—something that left his mom so emotionally frozen.
And when Maddy and Robbie go on an overnight campout in the forest, Robbie learns the truth about why Maddy makes his mother so nervous. The crazy stories are true! The animals come right up to his grandmother!
When Maddy falls and is hurt, Robbie has a revelation about his own truths. He has the courage to face a bear! But does he have enough courage to get past his mother’s indifference and try to heal their relationship?
about the author
Patricia MacLachlan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and spent her earliest years in Minnesota. An only child, she often played out favorite scenes in books and had an imaginary friend that was so real her father had to negotiate with her to get the couch after dinner! Both of Patricia’s parents died when she was young. Forced to move out east, she always carries a small bag of prairie dirt with her.
Although she loved books, the thought of writing was intimidating. She once completed a school writing assignment on a 3×5 index card. The teacher was not amused. That night, Patricia wrote in her diary, “I shall try not to be writer.”
After attending the University of Connecticut, Patricia taught English, married Robert, and had three children. They lived in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, in a house built in 1793 that had mice and snakes in the basement.
Patricia didn’t start writing until she was 35 years old. After living and working with foster care and adoptive families, she knew she wanted to write about families and children. She won the Newbery Medal for her book, Sarah, Plain and Tall. She also won a National Humanities Medal for her distinguished intellectual achievements in the humanities. She often collaborates with her daughter Emily MacLachlan on picture books.
After moving to a new house (one with no mice or snakes), Patricia had trouble writing. As she talked about what home is with young readers one day at the library, she recalled her little bag of prairie dirt, which helped her reconnect!
Sources:
Author biography: The NCBLA Board of Directors
Author interview : HarperKids on YouTube
Author biography: Houghton Mifflin Reading
Author biography: Amazon
Also by Patricia MacLachlan:
Fly Away. Margaret K. McElderry Books. 2014.
White Fur Flying. Margaret K. McElderry Books. 2013.
Kindred Souls. Katherine Tegen Books. 2012.
The Boxcar Children Beginning : The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm (Boxcar Children Beginning, Book 1). Albert Whitman & Company. 2012.
Waiting for the Magic. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2011.
Word after Word after Word. Katherine Tegen Books. 2010.
The True Gift : A Christmas Story. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2009.
Edward’s Eyes. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2007.
Grandfather’s Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall). Joanna Cotler. 2006.
More Perfect Than the Moon (Sarah, Plain and Tall. Joanna Cotler. 2004.
Caleb’s Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall). Joanna Cotler. 2001.
read more!
Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan
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Letters to Leo by Amy Hest
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Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer
Mark’s friends all have dogs, but not him. Buddy is a young dog whose owner doesn’t know how to play with her properly. And there is an old man, Mr. LaRue, who needs anyone who would come to visit him in his lonely old house. Perhaps the fates will connect these three—perhaps through a thunderstorm…