{"id":8023310434541,"title":"The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow","handle":"the-remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow","description":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elaine-dimopoulos\"\u003eElaine Dimopoulos\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/doug-salati\"\u003eDoug Salati\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHelping a creature is a good reason to take a risk.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“With the confidence of a maestro, Elaine Dimopoulos breathes vigor and beauty into a tale of a brave and thoughtful young rabbit . . . A chorus of woodland cheer for such a remarkable rescue.\" —\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGregory Maguire, author of\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWicked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Cress Watercress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eButternut lives in the warrens of Milkweed Meadow with her nine rabbit brothers and sisters. Together, they practice strategies for survival and tell stories. With disastrous scenarios blooming in her mind, Butternut embraces the lesson of her families’ stories: stick to your own rabbit-kind. But after befriending an incorrigible robin and a wounded deer, Butternut begins to question what she has been taught. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen the three friends discover a litter of abandoned coyote pups, Butternut must decide whether she can help these pups, rally her friends and family, and be as brave as the heroes in the stories she tells.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeautiful and arresting black-and-white illustrations bring the animals to life in this heartwarming story about friendship, community, and doing what is right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" height=\"152\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/3CSLagwAqAtCR3Ug8x33tI?utm_source=generator\" style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/d-39\"\u003eD-39\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/of-salt-and-shore\"\u003eOf Salt and Shore\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1mz0S_f9wC4\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-spread.jpg?v=1667585925\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667585927\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1667585929\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1675084156\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Discussion Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1675084156\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1675084156\"\u003eListen to Elaine on the \u003cem\u003eBetween the Pages\u003c\/em\u003e podcast\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElaine Dimopoulos, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElaine Dimopoulos holds an MFA in Writing from the Simmons University Center for the Study of Children’s Literature where she is now faculty. Elaine has received the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence Award and was named a St. Botolph Club Emerging Artist. She is the author of \u003cem\u003eMaterial Girls \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Turn the Tide.\u003c\/em\u003e Elaine lives in Belmont, MA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elaine-dimopoulos\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Elaine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoug Salati, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoug Salati is the illustrator of several books for children, including \u003cem\u003ePip and Zip \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Lawrence in the Fall.\u003c\/em\u003e He is also the author and illustrator of the picture book \u003cem\u003eHot Dog.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/doug-salati\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Doug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 2023 Junior Library Guild selection!\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2023 - Holiday Gift Edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMassachusetts Book Award, Honor Book (Middle Grade\/YA Readers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wild rabbit narrates a tale of friendship, bravery—and storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung Butternut and her siblings receive an in-depth education from their mother, who in turn learned from Butternut’s grandmother Sage, a wise, experienced rabbit who’s determined to keep her family safe. Humor shines through as Butternut describes lessons in survival, storytelling, and grooming. Grandmother tells the younger rabbits that just as monarch butterflies have the advantage of eating milkweed (which makes them toxic and keeps them safe from predators), “Our milkweed is our brain power.” Despite her family’s misgivings, Butternut—known for her “brambles” (or anxiety) and storytelling prowess—befriends Piper, a baby robin who enjoys using alliteration. The duo soon start venturing out at night to help an injured fawn, and more adventures ensue as Butternut slowly learns that there are some things in life worth taking risks for. By the time of the titular rescue, a host of secondary characters have been introduced, including a bullying blue jay and a “little female human.” Cleverly, the text uses Butternut’s voice to point out literary devices and techniques as she tells her tale. Witty, engaging, and heartfelt, this novel compares favorably with Cynthia Voigt’s gray squirrel odyssey, Toaff’s Way (2018), expertly entwining actual, observed facts about wildlife with whimsical anthropomorphism. The charming illustrations complement the text and show the girl to be light-skinned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse your milkweed: Read this!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn anxious young rabbit with a gift for storytelling narrates this intimately voiced, community-centered novel by Dimopoulos (Turn the Tide), which explores the value of crossing species lines and the bravery required to live in the world. When a birdseed-controlling blue jay eats a robin’s egg in an act of retribution, Milkweed Meadow’s young bunnies—taught to “stay alive” via brainpower and rigid rules—are told to “worry about the burrow-dwellers only.” But young Butternut, an anxious rabbit who thrills at the stories recounted in her family’s root room, wonders about the event’s communal and long-term effects. Butternut soon meets a gregarious, newly fledged robin named Piper, and they encounter and befriend an injured fawn, acts that eventually lead to a cooperative rescue of creatures in dire need. As Butternut’s world grows larger (“I’d performed a feat of athleticism. I’d met a young robin that spoke like an old poet”), her action-packed adventures with Piper underline the way that a survivalist mentality can come at the cost of a compassionate, connected, meaningful life. Occasional illustrations by Salati (Hot Dog), in graphite and gouache, elegantly depict wildlife scenes. Ages 8–11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the latest litter of rabbits in Milkweed Meadow have been brought up with strict instructions to only commune with their own kind. Grandmother Sage survived a harrowing ordeal when she was young, and she’s raised inhabitants of the warren to prize their smarts and storytelling, which help them survive in a dangerous world. Butternut is a particularly anxious bunny (she refers to her worried thoughts as “mind brambles”), but she quietly begins to take risks when they are in service to other creatures, even befriending other neighborhood animals, including a chatty robin and an injured fawn. But Butternut is soon faced with a nearly impossible decision when a life is on the line: follow her upbringing and make the rational choice or risk her life with the compassionate one. The sparkling story is both terrifically funny and quietly contemplative, touching on heavy topics with a light hand and heaps of humor. Butternut narrates the proceedings at a brisk pace, and the occasional black-and-white graphite-and-gouache illustrations add appealing visual interest. The author has created a beautifully realized natural setting, and the story takes time to celebrate the joy in existence without shying away from some sobering realities of living as a wild creature. A marvelous reminder of the power in stories and the thrill in determining one’s own destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Bird affairs are not rabbit affairs,” says Butternut’s mother. But when the young rabbit meets Piper, and outgoing and adventurous fledgling robin, she starts connecting with other animals in Milkweed Meadow and finding the world less frightening. Butternut directly addresses readers, dropping carrots of wisdom about story structure and life. “Life-and-death stakes might enhance a story, but they were terrifying to live through.” The animal characters are anthropomorphized, but they retain core species characteristics and behaviors; some readers may even recognize the dynamics of wildlife interactions around the bird feeder near Butternut’s den. Salati’s (Hot Dog, rev. 11\/22) textured black-and-white illustrations mirror this blend of realism and fantasy. The animals’ faces are expressive, but they look like animals, especially in their body language. When Butternut has to decide whether or not to risk her safety to attempt the rescue she’s been foreshadowing since the first sentence of chapter one, no one will be surprised. But how it happens is “a wood-gnawing climax,” as Butternut’s grandmother would say. This chapter book has a relatively rare and welcome level of depth, and the strong narrative voice, ecological awareness, and themes around the value of connection and community will call to many readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a big, scary world for young Butternut the bunny, who lives with her family in the burrows of idyllic Milkweed Meadow. Under the cautios head of the family, Grandmother Sage, Butternut’s family lives a careful life isolated from other animals. Each night in the burrow, family members take turns sharing stories; Butternut’s are the best. So it’s a bitter pill for her when a brave excursion results in her mother and grandmother forbidding her to share the tale. But Butternut makes new stories and shares them with listeners outside of the rabbit family. She finds friends in the other meadow-dwellers and realizes she might be braver than she thought—maybe brave enough to pull off a remarkable rescue. This enchanting animal adventure is made up of a series of interconnected short stories. In a beautiful narrative voice, and brought to life by Salati’s charming black-and-white illustrations, Butternut describes her own storytelling process. Younger and still developing readers could find this one too challenging to be an independent read. VERDICT Sure to hold appeal to the animal lovers, this would make an excellent read-aloud, especially if the audience is working on learning the elements of storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf all the creatures in Milkweed Meadow, the most gifted storyteller is Butternut. She’s one of nine rabbit siblings and by far the most anxious of the bunch. With “brambles” of disaster scenarios running wild through her mind, Butternut knows she has to use her intelligence—what her protective grandmother calls her “milkweed”—to survive in a world where she could be attacked by dangerous predators.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eButternut, however, can’t stop thinking about the creatures in the world around her and how their lives affect one another. When she tries to help some squirrels in need, a rascally blue jay steals one of her warren’s treasures, and Butternut’s defensive brambles momentarily disappear in a fit of fury. Although she considers herself a coward, Butternut climbs a fence and steals the treasure back, and along the way makes friends with a robin fledgling. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs other creatures in the meadow begin to listen to her stories, Butternut finds herself questioning some of her grandmother’s advice and begins to build interspecies bonds despite the prejudices of her family—and the families of her new friends. And when disaster strikes, she must put aside what she’s been told in order to do what she knows is right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith charming black-and-white illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Doug Salati (\u003ci\u003eHot Dog\u003c\/i\u003e), Elaine Dimopoulos’ middle grade novel reckons with the realistic challenges of an untamed animal’s life while preserving the magic of wilderness. Butternut narrates the cozy woodland story with cheeky asides to the reader about how stories work: how she’s going to hold some information to build tension, and how she hopes you’ll love her cast of characters. Ultimately, readers will be left with the impression that, if they can be brave and put aside their stigmas, they too can have an adventure worthy of an audience the size of a meadow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYoung readers who squirm when bad things happen to animals will need to avoid this one: The novel starts with a blue jay stealing and eating a robin’s egg, and later, a car strikes a young mother coyote and leaves her pups orphaned. Children who understand the risky truths of living wild, however, \u003ci\u003eThe Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow\u003c\/i\u003e will be left with a deep desire to become wildlife rehabilitators—and maybe convince their parents to start on that journey too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-333-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-585-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 8-11\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 192\u003cbr\u003e5\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e x 8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublication date: May 16, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-01-13T09:44:17-05:00","created_at":"2022-11-07T13:33:33-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Age_Middle Grade","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Novel","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Animals \u0026 Dinosaurs","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":1099,"price_min":1099,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43471560442093,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"43334","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":38074695352557,"product_id":8023310434541,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-11-07T13:40:45-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-07T13:40:47-05:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":900,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667846447","variant_ids":[43471560442093,45359295267053]},"available":true,"name":"The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow - 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Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1099,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623545857","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":30660524966125,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667846447"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667846447"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667846447","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":30660524966125,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667846447"},"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667846447","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elaine-dimopoulos\"\u003eElaine Dimopoulos\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/doug-salati\"\u003eDoug Salati\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHelping a creature is a good reason to take a risk.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“With the confidence of a maestro, Elaine Dimopoulos breathes vigor and beauty into a tale of a brave and thoughtful young rabbit . . . A chorus of woodland cheer for such a remarkable rescue.\" —\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGregory Maguire, author of\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWicked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Cress Watercress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eButternut lives in the warrens of Milkweed Meadow with her nine rabbit brothers and sisters. Together, they practice strategies for survival and tell stories. With disastrous scenarios blooming in her mind, Butternut embraces the lesson of her families’ stories: stick to your own rabbit-kind. But after befriending an incorrigible robin and a wounded deer, Butternut begins to question what she has been taught. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen the three friends discover a litter of abandoned coyote pups, Butternut must decide whether she can help these pups, rally her friends and family, and be as brave as the heroes in the stories she tells.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeautiful and arresting black-and-white illustrations bring the animals to life in this heartwarming story about friendship, community, and doing what is right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" height=\"152\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/3CSLagwAqAtCR3Ug8x33tI?utm_source=generator\" style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/d-39\"\u003eD-39\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/of-salt-and-shore\"\u003eOf Salt and Shore\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1mz0S_f9wC4\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-spread.jpg?v=1667585925\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover.jpg?v=1667585927\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1667585929\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1675084156\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Discussion Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1675084156\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1675084156\"\u003eListen to Elaine on the \u003cem\u003eBetween the Pages\u003c\/em\u003e podcast\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElaine Dimopoulos, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElaine Dimopoulos holds an MFA in Writing from the Simmons University Center for the Study of Children’s Literature where she is now faculty. Elaine has received the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence Award and was named a St. Botolph Club Emerging Artist. She is the author of \u003cem\u003eMaterial Girls \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Turn the Tide.\u003c\/em\u003e Elaine lives in Belmont, MA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elaine-dimopoulos\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Elaine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoug Salati, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoug Salati is the illustrator of several books for children, including \u003cem\u003ePip and Zip \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Lawrence in the Fall.\u003c\/em\u003e He is also the author and illustrator of the picture book \u003cem\u003eHot Dog.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/doug-salati\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Doug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 2023 Junior Library Guild selection!\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2023 - Holiday Gift Edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMassachusetts Book Award, Honor Book (Middle Grade\/YA Readers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wild rabbit narrates a tale of friendship, bravery—and storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung Butternut and her siblings receive an in-depth education from their mother, who in turn learned from Butternut’s grandmother Sage, a wise, experienced rabbit who’s determined to keep her family safe. Humor shines through as Butternut describes lessons in survival, storytelling, and grooming. Grandmother tells the younger rabbits that just as monarch butterflies have the advantage of eating milkweed (which makes them toxic and keeps them safe from predators), “Our milkweed is our brain power.” Despite her family’s misgivings, Butternut—known for her “brambles” (or anxiety) and storytelling prowess—befriends Piper, a baby robin who enjoys using alliteration. The duo soon start venturing out at night to help an injured fawn, and more adventures ensue as Butternut slowly learns that there are some things in life worth taking risks for. By the time of the titular rescue, a host of secondary characters have been introduced, including a bullying blue jay and a “little female human.” Cleverly, the text uses Butternut’s voice to point out literary devices and techniques as she tells her tale. Witty, engaging, and heartfelt, this novel compares favorably with Cynthia Voigt’s gray squirrel odyssey, Toaff’s Way (2018), expertly entwining actual, observed facts about wildlife with whimsical anthropomorphism. The charming illustrations complement the text and show the girl to be light-skinned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse your milkweed: Read this!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn anxious young rabbit with a gift for storytelling narrates this intimately voiced, community-centered novel by Dimopoulos (Turn the Tide), which explores the value of crossing species lines and the bravery required to live in the world. When a birdseed-controlling blue jay eats a robin’s egg in an act of retribution, Milkweed Meadow’s young bunnies—taught to “stay alive” via brainpower and rigid rules—are told to “worry about the burrow-dwellers only.” But young Butternut, an anxious rabbit who thrills at the stories recounted in her family’s root room, wonders about the event’s communal and long-term effects. Butternut soon meets a gregarious, newly fledged robin named Piper, and they encounter and befriend an injured fawn, acts that eventually lead to a cooperative rescue of creatures in dire need. As Butternut’s world grows larger (“I’d performed a feat of athleticism. I’d met a young robin that spoke like an old poet”), her action-packed adventures with Piper underline the way that a survivalist mentality can come at the cost of a compassionate, connected, meaningful life. Occasional illustrations by Salati (Hot Dog), in graphite and gouache, elegantly depict wildlife scenes. Ages 8–11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the latest litter of rabbits in Milkweed Meadow have been brought up with strict instructions to only commune with their own kind. Grandmother Sage survived a harrowing ordeal when she was young, and she’s raised inhabitants of the warren to prize their smarts and storytelling, which help them survive in a dangerous world. Butternut is a particularly anxious bunny (she refers to her worried thoughts as “mind brambles”), but she quietly begins to take risks when they are in service to other creatures, even befriending other neighborhood animals, including a chatty robin and an injured fawn. But Butternut is soon faced with a nearly impossible decision when a life is on the line: follow her upbringing and make the rational choice or risk her life with the compassionate one. The sparkling story is both terrifically funny and quietly contemplative, touching on heavy topics with a light hand and heaps of humor. Butternut narrates the proceedings at a brisk pace, and the occasional black-and-white graphite-and-gouache illustrations add appealing visual interest. The author has created a beautifully realized natural setting, and the story takes time to celebrate the joy in existence without shying away from some sobering realities of living as a wild creature. A marvelous reminder of the power in stories and the thrill in determining one’s own destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Bird affairs are not rabbit affairs,” says Butternut’s mother. But when the young rabbit meets Piper, and outgoing and adventurous fledgling robin, she starts connecting with other animals in Milkweed Meadow and finding the world less frightening. Butternut directly addresses readers, dropping carrots of wisdom about story structure and life. “Life-and-death stakes might enhance a story, but they were terrifying to live through.” The animal characters are anthropomorphized, but they retain core species characteristics and behaviors; some readers may even recognize the dynamics of wildlife interactions around the bird feeder near Butternut’s den. Salati’s (Hot Dog, rev. 11\/22) textured black-and-white illustrations mirror this blend of realism and fantasy. The animals’ faces are expressive, but they look like animals, especially in their body language. When Butternut has to decide whether or not to risk her safety to attempt the rescue she’s been foreshadowing since the first sentence of chapter one, no one will be surprised. But how it happens is “a wood-gnawing climax,” as Butternut’s grandmother would say. This chapter book has a relatively rare and welcome level of depth, and the strong narrative voice, ecological awareness, and themes around the value of connection and community will call to many readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a big, scary world for young Butternut the bunny, who lives with her family in the burrows of idyllic Milkweed Meadow. Under the cautios head of the family, Grandmother Sage, Butternut’s family lives a careful life isolated from other animals. Each night in the burrow, family members take turns sharing stories; Butternut’s are the best. So it’s a bitter pill for her when a brave excursion results in her mother and grandmother forbidding her to share the tale. But Butternut makes new stories and shares them with listeners outside of the rabbit family. She finds friends in the other meadow-dwellers and realizes she might be braver than she thought—maybe brave enough to pull off a remarkable rescue. This enchanting animal adventure is made up of a series of interconnected short stories. In a beautiful narrative voice, and brought to life by Salati’s charming black-and-white illustrations, Butternut describes her own storytelling process. Younger and still developing readers could find this one too challenging to be an independent read. VERDICT Sure to hold appeal to the animal lovers, this would make an excellent read-aloud, especially if the audience is working on learning the elements of storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf all the creatures in Milkweed Meadow, the most gifted storyteller is Butternut. She’s one of nine rabbit siblings and by far the most anxious of the bunch. With “brambles” of disaster scenarios running wild through her mind, Butternut knows she has to use her intelligence—what her protective grandmother calls her “milkweed”—to survive in a world where she could be attacked by dangerous predators.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eButternut, however, can’t stop thinking about the creatures in the world around her and how their lives affect one another. When she tries to help some squirrels in need, a rascally blue jay steals one of her warren’s treasures, and Butternut’s defensive brambles momentarily disappear in a fit of fury. Although she considers herself a coward, Butternut climbs a fence and steals the treasure back, and along the way makes friends with a robin fledgling. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs other creatures in the meadow begin to listen to her stories, Butternut finds herself questioning some of her grandmother’s advice and begins to build interspecies bonds despite the prejudices of her family—and the families of her new friends. And when disaster strikes, she must put aside what she’s been told in order to do what she knows is right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith charming black-and-white illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Doug Salati (\u003ci\u003eHot Dog\u003c\/i\u003e), Elaine Dimopoulos’ middle grade novel reckons with the realistic challenges of an untamed animal’s life while preserving the magic of wilderness. Butternut narrates the cozy woodland story with cheeky asides to the reader about how stories work: how she’s going to hold some information to build tension, and how she hopes you’ll love her cast of characters. Ultimately, readers will be left with the impression that, if they can be brave and put aside their stigmas, they too can have an adventure worthy of an audience the size of a meadow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYoung readers who squirm when bad things happen to animals will need to avoid this one: The novel starts with a blue jay stealing and eating a robin’s egg, and later, a car strikes a young mother coyote and leaves her pups orphaned. Children who understand the risky truths of living wild, however, \u003ci\u003eThe Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow\u003c\/i\u003e will be left with a deep desire to become wildlife rehabilitators—and maybe convince their parents to start on that journey too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-333-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-585-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 8-11\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 192\u003cbr\u003e5\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e x 8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublication date: May 16, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e"}