The Village of Many Hats

Woodward, Caroline. (2012). The village of many hats. Fernie, BC: Oolichan Books.

When this novel arrived with the box from the donation book sale, I had to read it right away.  I discovered Caroline Woodward last year when her picture book "Singing Away the Dark" was listed as a Chocolate Lily Award nominee. Her lyrical style and clear images of country life that reminded me of my own childhood won me over immediately.  In this, her first novel for young readers, Caroline describes small town life with the same understanding.  She brings Gina, the nine year old narrator, to life by using clear, short sentences that give you the feeling you are really listening to a grade four student. Gina is forced to grow up a little faster as her family deals with her little sister's serious heart problems. Her journey, and the characters who help her along the way, offer deep insights into the virtues that help us to live together and the innate kindness of neighbours. You will be pulled along into Gina's world as she learns, with the help of a wise hat maker, how to stand up for what she believes in and recognize the virtues in herself and others.

Intermediate