The Great Hibernation

by Tara Dairman
published by Wendy Lamb Books/Penguin Random House
ISBN: 978-1-524-71785-8
cover art and illustrations by Rebecca Green
ages 8 and up

What would happen if every grown-up in town fell asleep and the kids were left in charge?
 
The most important tradition in tiny St. Polonius is the annual Tasting of the Sacred Bear Liver. Each citizen over twelve must eat one bite of liver to prevent the recurrence of the Great Hibernation, when the town founders fell asleep for months.

This year is Jean Huddy’s first time to taste the liver. It doesn’t go well.

A few hours later, all the adults fall into a sleep from which they cannot be woken, and the kids are left to run things. At first, they have a blast. But then the town bullies take over the mayor’s office and the police force, and pretty soon Jean begins to suspect that this “hibernation” was actually engineered by someone in town.

Courage, teamwork, and scientific smarts unlock an unusual mystery in this delightful and funny story about one girl who inspires the kids around her to join together to save their home. A great pick for fans of A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff and Greenglass House by Kate Milford, or any reader seeking a quirky mystery with a big helping of hilarity.

or contact me directly; while hardcovers of this title are to find these days, I still have some available.

Praise for The Great Hibernation

“Definitely will not induce drowsiness. Utterly original.” Adam Rex, author of The True Meaning of Smekday and the Cold Cereal Saga

“Imagine Lord of the Flies as a comedy set in snowy terrain and you have The Great Hibernation: a hilarious, whip-smart page-turner you don’t want to miss.” —Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, New York Times bestselling author of the Book Scavenger Series and Sisterhood of Sleuths

Memorably humorousLighthearted enough to entice readers with the silly premise and whimsical illustrations sprinkled throughout, this middle grade book nonetheless explores some rather important political ideas about individuality and the need for a balance of powers in governance. A strong selection for most middle grade shelves.SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Quirky without being over-the-top, Dairman’s novel is a funny, wintry romp that explores just what might happen if kids were in charge.” –BOOKLIST

“[A] whimsical mystery…The fast-paced plot belies the sleepy small-town setting, and it’s refreshing to see a cast of characters who genuinely love their village and their families, whatever their quirks, instead of yearning to escape them.” –BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS (BCCB)

Entertainingly absurd, the book maintains an internal logic and a not-too-wacky tone, leaving space for the mystery of what really caused the giant group nap, and for the always-interesting question of what one would do if adults were (temporarily) out of the way.” –THE HORN BOOK

or contact me directly; while hardcovers of this title are to find these days, I still have some available.