Inspirations

One day when it was raining, I opened the back door to let my dog out and a spider scampered in as if he were escaping the downfall. His determination amused me and the next morning I was still thinking about it. What did the spider want? When I realized he wanted a cup of hot tea, I picked up a nearby pen and envelope and began to write. That tiny moment grew into a story about a boy who moved next door to a lady who talked to animals. And they talked back.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"The dull and seemingly ordinary neighborhood in which Daniel fetches up with his newly divorced mom turns out to be anything but. Daniel's first impressions of While-a-Way Lane aren't good . . . Wondrous things that happen. . . After Daniel's experiences, readers will want to move there too."―Kirkus, starred review

"Holt applies her talent for writing quiet, heartfelt stories to this study of Daniel, a lonely boy struggling with his parents’ recent divorce. . .Quirky neighborhood characters occupy the idyllic town, and this serene backdrop gives Daniel and Tilda much-needed opportunities for uninterrupted personal reflection and positive steps forward."―Booklist

"Fans of Natalie Babbitt and Anne Ursu will appreciate the blend of emotional resonance and magic."―The Horn Book

"Touches of the fantastic augment accessible, straightforward prose, which permeates the neighborhood personalities’ lives and motivations, lending this novel a gently bustling yet intimate atmosphere." ―Publishers Weekly

"Holt’s whimsical narrative moves between Daniel’s struggles in his new life, Tilda’s reflections on her old one, and the critters and community that surround them both. . . A smart, hopeful perspective of life on any lane."―The Bulletin

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Illustrations by Jonathan Bean