Wolf Hollow

Wolf Hollow

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade historical fiction
• Originally Published: 2016
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 800L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: 27 chapters; approximately 304 pages; approximately 7 hours, 34 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story is set in the small town of Wolf Hollow, Pennsylvania, during World War II and centers around Annabelle, an 11-year-old girl, in the months leading up to her 12th birthday. She must contend with a new girl in town, Betty, who is cruel and lies convincingly. When Betty goes missing, Toby, a reclusive World War I veteran, is blamed, and Annabelle must stand up for what she knows is right.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Bullying; physical harm; traumatic injuries; depiction of war and its effects on veterans; death; prejudice

Lauren Wolk, Author

• Bio: Born 1956; distinguished American author and poet; known for her children's literature; serves as the Associate Director of the Cultural Center of Cape Cod; her work often explores themes of history, nature, and young protagonists grappling with moral dilemmas
• Other Works: Beyond the Bright Sea (2017); Echo Mountain (2020)
• Awards: Newbery Honor for Wolf Hollow (2017); Carnegie Medal nominee for Wolf Hollow (2017)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Female Empowerment and Self-Definition in a Patriarchal Society
• Religion, Nature, and the Unexplained
• Hardship, Responsibility, and Coming-of-Age

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts regarding prejudice that incites Annabelle’s conflict.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Female Empowerment, The Unexplained, and Coming-of-Age.
• Plan and compose an alternate ending for Wolf Hollow based on novel details.
•  Analyze and evaluate the plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding female characters, wanderers, and other topics.