Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
(Dutton Children’s Books, 2016, Ages 10 and up, but could be enjoyed by adults, too.)
The setting of this book is the WWII era in rural Pennsylvania, but the war is more of a backdrop than a main focus. This story revolves around eleven-year-old Annabelle and how she deals with mysterious people and occurrences in her life. A bully named Betty whacks her on the legs as she walks home from school. A strange, silent man, who lives in a shack and loves to take photos, is accused of a horrendous crime. The various mysteries in the story pull the reader along, and the exquisite descriptions of country life provide a warm blanket that softens the sad ending. This might be a good book for teachers to read aloud to 3rd - 4th – 5th graders.