The Last Wild Place

A complex story about small town life and displacement—both of humans and of wildlife
  • ISBN: 9781561454587
  • Publication date: 10/01/2008
  • Page Count: 256
  • Size: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
  • Age Range: 8-12
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  • ISBN: 9781561454587
  • Publication date: 10/01/2008
  • Page Count: 256
  • Size: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • ISBN: 9781561457687
  • Publication date: 09/01/2016
  • Page Count: N/A
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 8-12
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Description

A complex story about small town life and displacement—both of humans and of wildlife

Chip Martin’s life is going well, but now everything is beginning to fragment. His brother Justin’s away at college and his sister Kate is busy with her high school activities. His single mom’s lifelong friendship with Booker Wilson has suddenly taken a romantic turn, and now his best friend Luther won’t speak to him. Even worse, Chip has to face the possibility of being uprooted.

Chip’s feelings of dislocation are compounded when he meets kids at his community center who are refugees, left homeless in the aftermath of a recent hurricane along the Florida Panhandle. But then Chip discovers something unbelievable—a family of Florida panthers that have been driven out of their home in the Everglades. Chip is alarmed when he hears that the last few acres of the woods are to be cleared to make way for a meat-packing plant. When he tries to protect the panthers, he learns that he has more friends than he thought.

Author Rosa Jordan’s memorable, well-drawn characters are woven together into a web of complex relationships marked by the challenges of displacement. The result is an intriguing and relatable tale of unexpected friendship that will satisfy readers.

Author/Illustrator

Rosa Jordan

Author

Rosa Jordan holds degrees from Santa Monica Junior College, UCLA, and the University of Guanajuato, Mexico. She is the author of Cycling Cuba and Dangerous Places: Travels on the Edge and the director of the social justice program for Earthways Foundation. She lives in Canada.

Reviews

“The issues of development and declining habitats, and the importance of protecting “these last wild places” are made both real and exciting for middle-grade readers.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“This is a good, gentle read for boys and girls alike.” ―Booklist

“An empowering story of friendship and kids who step up to make a difference…. While readers of Jordan’s first two stories will enjoy meeting up with familiar characters, the novel easily stands alone.” ―School Library Journal

“The book offers some excellent food for thought about each student’s role in the environmental changes that are taking place in our world.” ―Library Media Connection

Awards

Henry Bergh Young Adult Award ―ASPCA, 2008

Green Earth Book Award (Honor Book, Children’s Fiction) ―Newton Marasco Foundation, 2009

Young Adult Top Forty ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2009

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―KSRA, 2009

Prairie Pasque Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Dakota South Dakota Library Association, SD Reading Council, SD State Library, SD Elementary School Principals, 2010-2011

More Details

AR Level: 4.8
Gr 6
Lexile: 780L
Themes: Animal Rights, Class, Family, Nature, Rural Life
BISAC 1: JUV002150 JUVENILE FICTION/Animals/Lions, Tigers, Leopards, etc.
BISAC 2: JUV129010 JUVENILE FICTION/Nature and the Natural World/Environment
BISAC 3: JUV039060 JUVENILE FICTION/Social Issues/Friendship