Poppy

📘 About This Book

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner * ALA Notable Book * ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice * School Library Journal Best Book In the second book in the Tales of Dimwood Forest by Newbery Medal-winning author Avi, a tiny deer mouse named Poppy dares to stand up to a tyrannical owl. The story is accompanied by inviting illustrations from Caldecott Medal-winning artist Brian Floca. “This exciting story is richly visual. The underlying messages, to challenge unjust authority and to rely on logic and belief in oneself, are palatably blended with action and suspense.” — School Library Journal Poppy knew she was taking a risk following her beloved Ragweed to Bannock Hill, but a night of dancing with the handsome golden mouse was just too tempting. So when Ragweed is scooped up by the sinister owl, Mr. Ocax, who rules over Dimwood forest, she’s devastated. Her whole life she was warned of Mr. Ocax’s evil ways…how could she have been so foolish to put herself and Ragweed at risk? To make matters worse, when Poppy attempts to move with her family to a different part of the woods where the food supply is richer, Mr. Ocax refuses to let them go. Despite what she’s been led to believe for years, Mr. Ocax is not as strong as he wants the mice to think he is. Armed with the bravery, gumption, and wit of a hero, Poppy embarks on a dangerous quest—joined by the irascible but lovable porcupine, Ereth—to defeat Mr. Ocax and lead her family to a better home. A perennially popular story of courage and determination, Poppy is a fixture on state award lists and in classrooms across the country.

📖 Summary

Poppy by Avi is a captivating juvenile fiction novel and the second book in the Tales of Dimwood Forest series. The story introduces readers to a tiny deer mouse named Poppy, whose life changes dramatically when she takes a risk to follow her beloved companion, Ragweed, to Bannock Hill. Drawn in by the temptation of a night of dancing with a handsome golden mouse, Poppy faces immediate danger when Ragweed is suddenly scooped up and captured by the sinister owl, Mr. Dimwood Forest tyrant. This terrifying encounter forces Poppy out of her comfort zone and thrusts her into a high-stakes narrative filled with suspense, action, and unexpected bravery. As a deer mouse, Poppy stands on the lowest rung of the forest hierarchy, making her confrontation with a tyrannical owl seem nearly impossible. Yet, the narrative brilliantly showcases her transformation from a cautious follower into a courageous heroine. She must learn to stand up against oppressive authority, relying heavily on logic, resourcefulness, and a newfound belief in herself. The book is thoughtfully accompanied by inviting, richly visual illustrations from Caldecott Medal-winning artist Brian Floca, which bring the lush forest setting and its memorable animal inhabitants to life. Celebrated widely by critics and educators alike, Poppy has earned prestigious accolades including the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, an ALA Notable Book designation, an ALA Booklist Editors Choice award, and a School Library Journal Best Book honor. Reviewers have praised the book for seamlessly blending heart-pounding action and suspense with deep, meaningful underlying messages about justice, courage, and self-reliance. Ultimately, Avi crafts a timeless tale that resonates deeply with young readers, proving that even the smallest individuals can make a massive impact when they dare to challenge tyranny and trust their own inner strength.

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