Zodiac Pets

<p><strong>In his follow-up to the award-winning <em>Ring On Deli</em> 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.</strong></p><p><strong>?</strong></p><p>Wendy 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 <em>Pennacook Beat</em>. 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 <em>Beat</em> like some sloppy Perry White-keep tormenting Wendy with picayune assignments and inane Fun Fridays?</p><p><br></p><p>Wendy tells the tale as a college senior rewriting <em>Zodiac Pets</em> 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 <em>Beat </em>colleagues for the book. In the process of rewriting she takes a fresh look at Pennacook herself and even the rascally Graham.</p><p><br></p><p>????<strong>Exciting</strong> and <strong>engaging</strong> with a <strong>satisfying conclusion</strong>. - <em>Foreword Clarion Reviews</em></p><p><br></p><p>???<strong>Convincingly explores the fragility of democracy.</strong> - <em>Kirkus Reviews </em>(<strong>Our Verdict: Get It</strong>)</p><p><br></p><p>????[A] <strong>potent </strong>novel of growing up and facing the world. . . . Giroux weaves a <strong>gripping</strong> narrative <strong>laced with humor</strong> that interrogates and encourages reflection on individuals' susceptibility to the influence of those in power. .... [A] <strong>compelling and thought-provoking</strong> read. ??- <em>BookLife</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Zany manic absolutely crackers </strong><em>Zodiac Pets</em> is a smart snarky satire of American idealism crashing headfirst into its mortal enemy human nature. - Stewart O'Nan author of <em>The Speed Queen </em>and <em>Last Night at the Lobster</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Smart witty and savage </strong><em>Zodiac Pets</em> 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 <em>RUSE</em> and <em>Malibu Burning</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>Zodiac Pets</em> brings to the page <strong>one of the most unique whip-smart and hilarious characters in memory</strong> in seventh grader Wendy Zhou. - Beth Uznis Johnson author of <em>Coming Clean</em></p><p><br></p>