1 of 1 copy available
Toaff is a small squirrel full of big questions. Why must I stay away from the human's house? Why shouldn't I go beyond the pine trees? Why do we fight with the red squirrels across the drive? His sister shrugs—that's just the way things are. His brother bullies—because I said so. And the older squirrels scold—too many questions! Can Toaff really be the only one to wonder why?
When a winter storm separates him from his family, Toaff must make his own way in the world. It's a world filled with danger—from foxes and hawks and cats to cars and chainsaws. But also filled with delight—the dizzying scent of apple blossoms, the silvery sound of singing, the joy of leaping so far you're practically flying. Over the course of a year, Toaff will move into (and out of) many different dreys and dens, make some very surprising friends (and a few enemies), and begin to answer his biggest questions—what do I believe and where do I belong?
Master storyteller Cynthia Voigt offers readers a rich and rewarding story of finding one's way in the world.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
August 7, 2018 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780525624806
- File size: 169555 KB
- Duration: 05:53:14
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 790
- Text Difficulty: 3-4
-
Reviews
-
May 28, 2018
Fans of Voigt’s Davis Farm books will relish this newest animal adventure featuring Toaff, a gray squirrel whose curiosity gets him in trouble as much as it brings happy surprises. Spanning one year, Toaff’s story begins when the tree where he lives is uprooted during a winter storm. Not knowing where his family has fled, Toaff sets out to find a new place to live. He’s been taught survival skills, but he still has many questions about the world: Are humans friends or enemies? Why is he supposed to hate red squirrels? What lies on the other side of the drive? In his quest to find answers, Toaff develops some unexpected friendships with a young red squirrel, a group of gray squirrels living a life of luxury, a playful dog, and a litter of orphaned “Littles.” As the seasons pass, scary moments, such as when Toaff is attacked by a fisher, are well balanced with cozy moments when the young squirrel is warm and safe. Skillfully presenting sights from an animal’s perspective and touching upon social issues such as prejudice and elitism, Newbery Medalist Voigt provides a lovely story to curl up with. Ages 8–12. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. -
Narrator Ariadne Meyers rises to the challenge of portraying squirrels, both gray and red, and other creatures as she gives voice to Newbery Medalist Cynthia Voigt's chronicle of a squirrel year. When a winter storm topples the tree, newborn Toaff finds himself launched upon a quest to find a new home. Meyers's Toaff sounds curious and thoughtful as he hesitantly wonders about humans and their "white nest" with all the entrances, about the squirrels who don't always seem as wise as they pretend to be, and about the creature that barks and viciously attacks him. Myers's dogs are conversational; her newborn squirrels are squeaky and surely cuddly. With a gentle, unassuming delivery, Meyers provides listeners time to marvel at Toaff's resolve over his first year. A.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
-