Poppy (the flower AND the book)

4th grade book club member, Hannah, was wearing a beautiful poppy flower pin during our meeting last week in honor of Remembrance Day and Veterans Day. Her pin reminded me first of the beautiful poppy flowers that can be seen in late spring around Redmond (pictured here), and second of a wonderful book of the same name by Avi.

In the story Poppy, the main character is a timid, obedient mouse who endangers her family and community when she breaks the rules one night by entering the forest territory without the permission of the tyrannical and intimidating owl, Mr. Ocax. As a result, Poppy goes on a dangerous quest prove that Ocax is a phony who wants nothing more than to devour the mice rather than protect them. Will Poppy emerge a hero, or will Ocax rule again as the story ends in a one-on-one battle between these two characters?

Poppy is the second of six books in the Dimwood Forest series. You can listen to Avi read excerpts from Poppy by clicking here.

Happy reading!