Nuts

This heartfelt debut novel stars 11-year-old Nell, who finds two orphaned squirrels in her backyard and decides to care for them. Nell and her younger brothers are homeschooled, and her parents approve of the project, so long as she adheres to the guidelines proposed by Libby, a squirrel expert Nell locates online. Though Libby immediately advises Nell to contact a wildlife specialist, Nell resists because she doesn't want to give up the squirrels, which she has named Mantha and Sam: “The squirrels were special. They made me feel special.” Consumed by her new project, Nell deceives her parents regarding the guidance she is receiving from Libby, and continues to raise the creatures. Curiously, Nell's otherwise attentive parents never seem to do their own research or contact Libby themselves. Characters sometimes speak out of turn for their age—particularly Nell's crush, Russ, a nature lover and hunter who seems a bit too wise for a middle-schooler. However, Cook effectively demonstrates the lessons of nature—birth, growth, and death—and Nell's need to let go. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)