THE LAST RABBIT, by Shelley Moore Thomas, Wendy Lamb Books, Feb. 9, 2021, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
Shelley Moore Thomas’ The Last Rabbit is a timeless read that’s both magical and memorable.
On the magical island of Hybrasil there lives a Magician and four enchanted rabbit sisters. One by one, the rabbits have been leaving the island, accompanied by a Boy and his boat. He takes them wherever they choose. When the rabbits leave the island, they can turn back into girls.
The last rabbit, Albie, remains. She does not want to leave, but the island is sinking. Before deciding where she wants to go, Albie visits each of her sisters. Caragh has joined a circus. Isolde is the captain of a pirate ship. And Rory wants to go home to the family’s house in Cork.
Through many furry twists and hoppity turns, we learn how one mistake can lead to many consequences, and that forgiveness and family are always within reach. —Synopsis provided by Wendy Lamb Books
I’ve never read anything like Shelley Moore Thomas’ The Last Rabbit. Thomas’s lyrical prose is thoughtful and engaging. And her story of a young rabbit who doesn’t want to become a girl is compelling.
Albie is smart and stubborn and struggling with the cards she’s been dealt. As the story progresses, her true motives become clear, and she becomes all the more dear.
The Last Rabbit is a mostly quiet read sprinkled with bits of adventure throughout. Though intended for middle readers, it will appeal to older readers — YA and adult — as well. Its universal themes of love, loss, and forgiveness make it a book I highly recommend.
