"Okay," Louie said. I accept the mission."
"What mission?"
"To save this pitiful motherless donkey."
Louie is exactly the right person to care for a new-born baby donkey. Yes, he has not had a good track record with other pets and wild animals, but there is a deep emotional tenderness about Louie and even though everyone doubts the young donkey will live through the first night, Louie never gives up.
"I don't want to watch it die,' his mother said
'No!' Louie said. 'No dying. I told you, I accept the mission.'
The pitiful creature tentatively touched its nose to Louie's. 'Awww,'
'Don't get attached,' his mother warned. 'You're going to be heartbroken when it - '
'Shh,' Louie said. 'Don't let it hear you.' He asked his father if it was a boy or a girl.
'Boy,' he said. 'Poor thing."
Louie is determined to save the little donkey. He names him Winslow. Later we learn how this name connects with Louie's own difficult start in life.
Louie is a real kid. Sure he lives with a terrific mum and dad and has some loyal friends but his brother is away serving as a soldier and everyone deeply misses him. Gus misses his family too. He write brief letters but always with the sign off "Remember me." There are reminders of his brother all over the house - they think about him every day.
Living near Louie is Nora. Nora has had some deep sadness in her short life too. Her premature baby brother has died and so did the family dog. Sharon Creech does not need to spell this out but it is very clear Nora is scared of being hurt. She likes Winslow, the baby donkey, but she is wary of making a connection because, in her view, it looks as though he might die too. Yet she is drawn to the little fellow. His fur is soft and he keeps butting into her boots and making friendly noises. How can she resist him?
Colby Sharp talked about this book and the wonderful thing that happened for all the students in his school. One of his students loved Saving Winslow and he book talked it with all his class and it became such a popular book. An adult listening to Colby talk with passion about the urgency of getting books into kids hands decided to buy 60 copies - one for each child in Grade 5. Such a generous and special thing to do.
You might know that I am a HUGE (say this loudly) fan of Sharon Creech. I knew I just had to buy this book and buy it NOW! The power of the writing here comes both from what is said and what is left unsaid. I love that the reader is allowed to 'join the dots.' When you pick up this book take a look at chapter 10. It is titled Freeze that Scene. Louie records two contrasting scenes into his memory. One is of sunflowers growing against a white fence under a blue sky. This scene is made even more perfect when a small blue bird lands on a stalk.
"And now the scene appeared even more perfect to him: an indigo bunting atop a golden sunflower beside a white fence beneath a blue sky with drifting white clouds."
Does this sound poetic? It should. If you know the writing of Sharon Creech you are sure to be hearing echoes of words from Love that Dog.
That same day Louie sees a thin, disheveled man in a tattered army jacket sleeping on a park bench. "On his way home, Louie slid a small brown bag next to the bench. In the bag were two rolls and a candy bar." If we didn't know it already it is very clear Louie has a kind heart.
You can read the first 6 chapters on the author web site. I highly recommend you do this (now!) You can read about the inspiration for this story in an interview in the School Library Journal.
Another outstanding and unforgettable story that will work well both as a read-aloud for younger listeners and as a rich offering for those recently transitioned to chapter books. Kirkus Star review
Set in an unspecified small-town past, largely free of adults and rich with unscheduled play time, the story is told simply but subtly, celebrating the unexpected strength of the vulnerable. Horn Book Star review
SAVING WINSLOW explores the balance between holding tight to those we love most and recognizing that holding on may not be best for them. SAVING WINSLOW is a thoroughly enjoyable read and a future classic in the genre of children and the animals they love. KidsReads
Take a look at my review of other books by Sharon. Moo, Love that Dog, Heartbeat, Granny Torrelli makes Soup and The Boy on the Porch.
Compare the cover of Saving Winslow with Moo, Love that Dog and Hate that Cat. These four books would make a great set for any library or home collection.
Here is an indigo bunting - I just had to show you one because they look so amazing!
Image source: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/indigo-bunting
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