Toaff's Way

by Cynthia Voigt (Author)

Toaff's Way
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

Meet Toaff: a lovable squirrel, and new standout character, searching for a place to call home in this gem of a story by a Newbery Medal-winning author.

Toaff is a small squirrel full of big questions. Why must I stay away from the human's house? Why shouldn't I go beyond the pine trees? Why do we fight with the red squirrels across the drive? His sister shrugs--that's just the way things are. His brother bullies--because I said so. And the older squirrels scold--too many questions! Can Toaff really be the only one to wonder why?

When a winter storm separates him from his family, Toaff must make his own way in the world. It's a world filled with danger--from foxes and hawks and cats to cars and chainsaws. But also filled with delight--the dizzying scent of apple blossoms, the silvery sound of singing, the joy of leaping so far you're practically flying. 

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Hardcover
$16.99

Kirkus

Starred Review
A brilliant, bushy-tailed bildungsroman.

ALA/Booklist

Readers [will be] right at home with kind, brave Toaff and feel reassured in the formidable task of understanding the world outside their front door.

None

What if I--?" In the three opening words of this tale, inside the thoughts of a young gray squirrel named Toaff, Voigt establishes a tone that never lets up-- energetic, curious, joyful, and impulsive

Publishers Weekly

Fans of Voigt's Davis Farm books will relish this newest animal adventure featuring Toaff, a gray squirrel whose curiosity gets him in trouble as much as it brings happy surprises. Spanning one year, Toaff's story begins when the tree where he lives is uprooted during a winter storm. Not knowing where his family has fled, Toaff sets out to find a new place to live. He's been taught survival skills, but he still has many questions about the world: Are humans friends or enemies? Why is he supposed to hate red squirrels? What lies on the other side of the drive? In his quest to find answers, Toaff develops some unexpected friendships with a young red squirrel, a group of gray squirrels living a life of luxury, a playful dog, and a litter of orphaned "Littles." As the seasons pass, scary moments, such as when Toaff is attacked by a fisher, are well balanced with cozy moments when the young squirrel is warm and safe. Skillfully presenting sights from an animal's perspective and touching upon social issues such as prejudice and elitism, Newbery Medalist Voigt provides a lovely story to curl up with. Ages 8-12. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. (Aug.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"A hymn to inquisitiveness, independent thinking and experiential learning in an age of "alternative facts" and "fake news," Toaff's Way should be required reading." —Book Page


Cynthia Voigt
CYNTHIA VOIGT is the acclaimed author of many books, including Dicey's Song, winner of the Newbery Medal; A Solitary Blue, winner of a Newbery Honor; and Homecoming, a National Book Award finalist. For the body of her work, Cynthia Voigt was honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults. For younger readers, her books include the Mister Max trilogy, Teddy & Co., Young Fredle, and Angus and Sadie. You can read more about her work at CynthiaVoigt.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781524765361
Lexile Measure
790
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date
August 20, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV025000 - Juvenile Fiction | Lifestyles | Farm Life & Ranch Life
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV002230 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Squirrels
Library of Congress categories
-

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