“A kindred spirit,” says Vole, “is someone who understands the deepest dream of your heart.” Join Peter as he struggles with the loss of a friend; Cricket as he learns to catch like the great ballplayer Yogi Berra; Vole as he summons the courage to sail the river as his grandfather did years before; and Firefly as she attempts to fulfill her dream of flying to the moon. These four unlikely friends are each striking out on their own, yet also provide strength and encouragement for one another. Author Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow (Atheneum, $16.99) takes us on a journey that is sometimes sad, but ultimately uplifting and empowering. Christopher Denise’s illustrations provide a dreamlike setting for this enchanting story of friendship and independence. Ages 8-11
