The Thing with Feathers

GIVEAWAY

HOYLE, MCCALL
THE THING WITH FEATHERS

Emilie Day believes in playing it safe: she's homeschooled, her best friend is her seizure doge, and she's probably the only girl on the Outer Banks of North Carolina who can't swim.

Then Emilie's mom enrolls her in public school, and Emilie goes from studying at home in her pj's to halls full of strangers. To make matters worse, Emilie is paired with starting point guard Chatham York for a major research project on Emily Dickinson. She should be thrilled when Chatham shows interest, but she has a problem: she hasn't told anyone about her epilepsy.

Emilie lives in fear her recently adjusted meds will fail and she'll seize at school. Eventually, the worst happens, and she must decide whether to withdraw to safety or follow a dead poet's advice and "dwell in possibility."

My Review:

An enthralling story of recovering from loss and finding the courage to accept new challenges. And Emilie doesn't always do it gracefully but there is such exhilarating hope in her story.

I can totally relate to Emilie because I struggle with change too and have had periods in my life where I've been sure that I'm the only one with problems -- that everyone else is leading a perfect life. I loved being a part of Emilie's awakening -- not only in coming to grips with who she is and how she can relate with the larger world, but in her growing awareness of the people in that world. Of their individual struggles and challenges.

Emilie has a great 'voice', punctuated with humour and drama and plenty of teenage angst. The opening line sets the stage perfectly: "My mother lost her mind today, and I'm going to prison."  That prison is high school and Emilie is suddenly thrust into a world she has been hiding from for years. I lived every awkward, terrifying, exciting and ultimately triumphant moment right along with her. Budding friendships, first love and the joy of finding a place where you can grow and thrive and make a difference -- all the stuff that makes for a fascinating story. Not to mention my hero, Hitch, seizure dog extraordinaire who has never met a stranger. An inspiring debut novel that will delight YA and older readers alike.

My thanks to the author for gifting me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Thing with Feathers, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 29 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!