ALA Notable Childrenâs Book
Kirkus Reviews âBest Childrenâs Book of the Yearâ
Winner of the North Carolina Juvenile Literature Award
Winner of the NAPPA Gold Award
A feisty tweenage orphan discovers what it means to love and be loved in this powerful coming-of-age novel about hope, redemption, and found family
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A headstrong girl. A stray cat. A wild boy. A man who plays with fire. Eleven-year-old ZoÃĢ trusts no one. Her father left before she was born. At the death of her irresponsible mother, ZoÃĢ goes to live with her uncle, former surgeon and famed metal sculptor, Dr. Henry Royster. She's sure Henry will fail her as everyone else has. Reclusive since his wifeâs death, Henry takes ZoÃĢ to Sugar Hill, North Carolina, where he welds sculptures as stormy as his moods.
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ZoÃĢ and Henry have much in common: brains, fiery and creative natures, and badly broken hearts. ZoÃĢ confronts small-town prejudice with a quick temper. She warms to Henryâs odd but devoted friends, meets a mysterious teenage boy living wild in the neighboring woods, and works to win the trust of a feral cat while struggling to trust in anyone herself.
In this award-winning coming-of-age tale for young readers, ZoÃĢâs questing spirit leads her to uncover the wild boyâs identity, lay bare a local lie, and begin to understand the true power of Henryâs art. Then one decisive night she and the boy risk everything in a reckless act of heroism . . .