cover image A House Full of Strangers: 9

A House Full of Strangers: 9

Emily Rhoads Johnson. Dutton Books, $14 (176pp) ISBN 978-0-525-65091-1

The natural world is as much a protagonist as any human in this poignant story of a lonely orphan who comes to accept the noisy foster family who moves into her home. Eleven-year-old Flora's calm, ordered world is shattered when the Quiggs, relatives she'd never met, come to take care of her after her grandmother's death. Bombarded by constantly blaring TVs and the six Quiggs' nonstop chatter, Flora can find peace only by hiding in a venerable maple tree in her beloved woods. But once Aunt Abbie decides that it isn't healthy for Flora to spend so much time alone, she's only allowed into the woods with the despised Missy, who pesters her with incessant questions. Slowly, however, Flora learns that sharing the wonders of nature is even more satisfying than enjoying them alone. And just as she learns to reach out to others, the boisterous Quiggs learn to keep still and appreciate the beauties around them. While spinning a moving tale, Johnson writes knowledgeably and lovingly of natural history and gently makes the point that the environment is as fragile as it is beautiful. Ages 10-up. (Aug.)