Praise for Reach:
“The tone is heartfelt and gentle from the start. . . There are no villains here, just a desperately lonely tree and a guarded boy, and the tender ending that finds them both feeling less alone is the literary version of a comfy, homemade quilt. A thoughtful author’s note offers additional (factual) reflections on the ways that a forest is more of a tight web than a series of individual plants and animals.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Descriptive language draws readers into Denver’s world, where lightly magical elements help him understand what family means and open a door to a better, more hopeful future. Rimington (The Elephant’s Girl, 2020) has created an emotional and well-paced adventure that intriguingly mingles reality and fantasy. A solid recommendation for those who love to step into other worlds while keeping one foot planted in reality.” —Booklist
“In this empathetic speculative novel. . . Denver’s complex feelings surrounding his parents’ divorce and his shifting relationship with Harlan, forms parallel narratives about the impact of grief and change across families.” —Publisher’s Weekly
“The forest setting provides rich sensory details, and Mae’s unique perspective adds depth to the magical elements. . . Denver’s character growth from resentment to acceptance feels authentic . . . [in this] exploration of family bonds.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A heartwarming and magical story for any reader searching for where they truly belong in a family. Kids will be drawn into Denver’s satisfying journey of finding family roots and unexpected connections.” —J.L. Esplin, author of 96 Miles
“A beautiful story of love and connection for anyone who’s ever felt like a stranger in their own family.” —PJ Gardner, author of the Horace & Bunwinkle series and The Great Zoodini
Praise The Elephant’s Girl:
A Junior Library Guild Selection
2021-2022 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List Pick
2024 Grand Canyon Reader Award List (AZ)
2022-2023 Mark Twain Readers Award List (MO)
2022-2023 Virginia Readers’ Choice Award Master List
2022 Children’s Sequoyah Book Awards Master List (OK)
2021-2022 Volunteer State Book Award List (TN)
2021-2022 Keystone to Reading Book Award List (PA)
2020 Northern Lights Book Award Winner
2020 Reading the West (Mountains and Plains Independent Bookseller Association) Book Award Winner
“Poignant…An already engaging tale of life at a zoo turns into a mystery…[and] a bittersweet ending completes the story’s magic and mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Skillfully paced with just the right amount of tension, this offers a thoughtful look at how our past shapes our present, and how, similarly, memory is shaped by our current circumstances.” —BCCB
“This story of friendship includes magical realism, mystery, and adventure that is sure to capture young readers’ attention. Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo.” —School Library Journal
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