The Hermit Thrush Sings (Laurel-Leaf Books) - Softcover

Butler, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440228964 ISBN 13: 9780440228967

Publisher: Random House USA Children's Books, 2001

Synopsis

Leora has a gift, and a secret. She can see things no one else can, but can only draw them with her one webbed hand.

Several generations have passed since North America was struck with a meteor that changed life forever. Now, Leora lives safely locked inside the walls of Village Three. Only the guards and croptenders are allowed out, where the world is said to be undeveloped and dangerous. Leora doesn't know what is beyond those walls, but every day she wonders. She has heard stories of the ferocious birmbas -- half bear, half gorilla -- that resulted from the meteor. Mutants cannot be trusted.

But Leora herself is considered a "defective" with her hidden hand and gift. When she risks her life to free a baby birmba, she finds the courage to escape beyond the tyrannical walls without any idea of what -- or who -- she may find.

About this title

About the Author

This is Susan Butler's first young adult novel.

From the Back Cover

LEORA HAS A GIFT, and a secret. She can see things no one else can, but she can draw them only with her one webbed hand.

Several generations have passed since North America was struck by a meteor that changed life forever. Now Leora lives safely locked inside the walls of Village Three. Only the guards and croptenders are allowed outside, where the world is said to be undeveloped and dangerous. Leora doesn't know what is beyond those walls, but every day she wonders. She has heard stories of the ferocious birmbas -- half bear, half gorilla -- that were created after the meteor fell. Mutants cannot be trusted.

But Leora herself, with her hidden hand and her gift, is considered a defective. When she risks her life to free a baby birmba, she finds the courage to escape beyond the walls without any idea of what -- or whom -- she may find.

From the Inside Flap

"In the tradition of Lois Lowry's The Giver, "Susan Butler's futuristic first novel tells the triumphant story of Leora's refusal to conform to the rigid rules set forth by a tyrannical government.
Leora has a gift, and a secret. She can see things no one else can, but can only draw them with her one webbed hand.
Several generations have passed since North America was struck by a meteor that changed life forever. Now, Leora lives safely locked inside the walls of Village Three. Only the guards and croptenders are allowed out, where the world is said to be undeveloped and dangerous. Leora's heard stories of the ferocious birmbas -- half bear, half gorilla -- that resulted from the meteor. Mutants cannot be trusted.
But Leora herself is considered a "defective" with her hidden hand and gift. When she risks her life to free a baby birmba, she finds the courage to escape beyond the tyrannical walls without knowing what she may find.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House USA Children's Books
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0440228964
• ISBN 13: 9780440228967
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 282