Because of the Rabbit

Emma has been homeschooled her entire life but is about to start fifth grade at a public school. The night before her first day, she and her game warden father rescue a lost rabbit, which Emma hopes to keep as a pet. As Emma navigates her new school environment, she faces challenges making friends and fitting in with her classmates. Her knowledge of animals, inherited from her father's work, becomes both a bridge and a barrier in her attempts to connect with others. The rabbit, which Emma names Jack, serves as both a comfort and a source of responsibility as she works to balance her old life with her new one. The parallel stories of Emma finding her place and discovering Jack's origins create the central narrative thread. The story explores themes of belonging, connection, and the ways people overcome differences to form meaningful relationships. Through Emma's experiences, the book examines how change can lead to personal growth and unexpected discoveries.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of friendship challenges, particularly through Emma's perspective as she transitions from homeschooling to public school. Many note the book's thoughtful handling of animal rescue, sibling relationships, and social anxiety. Parents and teachers highlight the book's usefulness in discussing empathy and inclusion with children. Multiple reviews mention the accurate representation of autism through Emma's classmate Jack. Common criticisms include the plot's predictability and a slow-moving first few chapters. Some readers found the ending rushed and wanted more resolution to certain storylines. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect for animal lovers and kids dealing with school transitions," notes one Goodreads reviewer. An Amazon review states, "The rabbit rescue storyline feels forced at times, but the friendship dynamics ring true." School Library Journal praised the "honest exploration of social dynamics in middle grade classrooms."

Rules by Cynthia Lord A girl with autism navigates fifth grade while learning to understand her brother and accept friendship on her own terms.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A sixth-grade girl with dyslexia discovers her strengths when a teacher helps her see past her learning differences.

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin A girl with high-functioning autism faces the loss of her dog during a storm while adhering to her need for order and rules.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A foster child opens herself to connection with a new family while processing her relationship with her birth mother.

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan A gifted girl who loses her parents builds unexpected connections with a diverse group of people who become her new family.

🐰 The author, Cynthia Lord, drew inspiration for this story from her own experience adopting a rescue rabbit that had been found in the wild. 🏆 Cynthia Lord's first novel, Rules, won the Newbery Honor award and helped establish her as a respected voice in middle-grade literature. 🐇 Wild rabbits in Maine (where the story is set) are typically Eastern cottontails or snowshoe hares, which change color from brown to white in winter to help them survive. 🏫 The main character Emma's transition from homeschooling to public school mirrors the experiences of many real students - approximately 3.7 million American students are homeschooled. 🗣️ The French phrases used throughout the book reflect the strong French-Canadian heritage present in Maine, where about 24% of the population has French ancestry.