{"product_id":"zodiac-pets-9781734224047","title":"Zodiac Pets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn his follow-up to the award-winning \u003cem\u003eRing On Deli\u003c\/em\u003e, Eric Giroux returns to the hard-luck hamlet of Pennacook, Massachusetts, for a hilarious and potent novel about a misfit's quest to save the local democracy.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWendy Zhou has just lost her father and is off to a brawling start in decrepit Pennacook, where wild boar roam the streets and dumpster living is the next big thing. She finds a new sense of mission after joining the other middle-schoolers staffing the town paper, the \u003cem\u003ePennacook Beat\u003c\/em\u003e. But when dark forces aim to sell the town (\"some assembly required\") and plunk a giant dome over it, can a still-shattered Wendy find the strength to fight them? And why does Graham Bundt-the supposed John Adams descendant who rules the \u003cem\u003eBeat\u003c\/em\u003e like some sloppy Perry White-keep tormenting Wendy with picayune assignments and inane Fun Fridays?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWendy tells the tale as a college senior rewriting \u003cem\u003eZodiac Pets\u003c\/em\u003e, her account of the Pennacook Dome debacle. She's inspired to add new chapters in which she travels down the East Coast with Lena Ko-not only her chauffeur but her troubled and much-loved girlfriend-to interview her former \u003cem\u003eBeat \u003c\/em\u003ecolleagues for the book. In the process of rewriting, she takes a fresh look at Pennacook, herself, and even the rascally Graham.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cstrong\u003eExciting\u003c\/strong\u003e\" and \"\u003cstrong\u003eengaging\u003c\/strong\u003e\" with a \"\u003cstrong\u003esatisfying conclusion\u003c\/strong\u003e.\" - \u003cem\u003eForeword Clarion Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cstrong\u003eConvincingly explores the fragility of democracy.\u003c\/strong\u003e\" - \u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews \u003c\/em\u003e(\"\u003cstrong\u003eOur Verdict: Get It\u003c\/strong\u003e\")\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"[A] \u003cstrong\u003epotent \u003c\/strong\u003enovel of growing up and facing the world. . . . Giroux weaves a \u003cstrong\u003egripping\u003c\/strong\u003e narrative, \u003cstrong\u003elaced with humor\u003c\/strong\u003e, that interrogates and encourages reflection on individuals' susceptibility to the influence of those in power. .... [A] \u003cstrong\u003ecompelling and thought-provoking\u003c\/strong\u003e read.\" - \u003cem\u003eBookLife\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cstrong\u003eZany, manic, absolutely crackers, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eZodiac Pets\u003c\/em\u003e is a smart, snarky satire of American idealism crashing headfirst into its mortal enemy, human nature.\" - Stewart O'Nan, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Speed Queen \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eLast Night at the Lobster\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cstrong\u003eSmart, witty, and savage, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eZodiac Pets\u003c\/em\u003e is the perfect read for anyone who believes that novels still matter and can challenge us to be better human beings and citizens-all while making us laugh till our sides split.\" - Robert Kerbeck, award-winning author of \u003cem\u003eRUSE\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eMalibu Burning\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eZodiac Pets\u003c\/em\u003e brings to the page \u003cstrong\u003eone of the most unique, whip-smart, and hilarious characters in memory\u003c\/strong\u003e in seventh grader Wendy Zhou.\" - Beth Uznis Johnson, author of \u003cem\u003eComing Clean\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"New Salem Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50604552749330,"sku":"9781734224047","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_53fa8a96-f362-4386-9735-e9ce9a74fbf5.jpg?v=1732261137","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/zodiac-pets-9781734224047","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}