Leeva at Last

   
　　9歲的Leeva得知鎮上將開設一間新學校時，她非常興奮，渴望能去上學，但鎮長（Leeva 的媽媽）與鎮上的財務主管（Leeva 的爸爸）只在乎權力、財富、和金錢，他們任意使喚Leeva，還限制她的活動，讓她幾乎只能待在家裡。Leeva 對世界的了解只能來自於週刊和觀賞電視肥皂劇，直到某天，她發現隔壁有一間放了滿滿書籍的屋子！
 
　　這間圖書館的管理員是哈利，他幫忙受傷的阿姨管理圖書。在圖書館裡，熱情的哈利向 Leeva 介紹了文學、友誼以及新鮮出爐的餅乾等等讓 Leeva 驚訝不已的世界。在圖書館裡，Leeva 也第一次有機會交朋友：她認識了整天穿著防護衣的 Osmund，還有得照顧祖父母和一堆兄弟姐妹的Fern。在得知自己貪婪的父母對這座小鎮帶來許多問題時，Leeva 下定決心保守自己身份的秘密，為這些問題尋找答案：究竟 Leeva 的父母對她隱瞞了什麼？
 
　　這本由暢銷作者莎拉．潘尼帕克（Sara Pennypacker）創作的諷刺性幽默故事，讓人想起英國童書大師羅德．達爾（Roald Dahl）的經典《瑪蒂達》（Matilda），故事圍繞著行為糟糕的父母、朋友間堅定的情誼還有善意的回報。作者在書中巧妙地融入了公平、責任與信任的主題，有趣又溫暖的冒險，帶來改變的正向力量和勇氣。（文／博客來外文館）

　　Award-winning, bestselling author Sara Pennypacker and illustrator Matthew Cordell come together in this hilarious absurdist tale about a precocious girl who transforms her community in surprising ways.

　　What are people for?

　　That’s the burning question on the mind of Leeva Spayce Thornblossom.

　　Fame! says Leeva’s mom, the mayor of Nutsmore.

　　Money! says her dad, the town treasurer.

　　With the help of an orphaned badger, a risk-averse boy in a hazmat suit, and the town's librarians, Leeva sets off to discover her own answer—setting off a chain of events that will change Nutsmore forever.

　　Review
　　"Pennypacker delivers a hugely entertaining mix of outsized comedic villainy, dreadful parents, delicious cookies, and kindness rewarded. Leeva’s sturdy instincts for both survival and justice are worth celebrating, as is the gift of books that expand her world. Splendid fun." — Kirkus Reviews

　　"Pennypacker tells the story with warmth and whimsy, recalling the tone and charm of Matilda. Though stuck in comically gloomy situations, Leeva is a delight, her eccentric companions are lovable, and the writing sparkles. A terrifically funny, tender tribute to the power of perseverance, community, and kindness." — Booklist

　　Sara Pennypacker is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pax; the award-winning Clementine series and its spinoff series, Waylon; and the acclaimed novels Summer of the Gypsy Moths and Here in the Real World. She divides her time between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Florida. You can visit her online at www.sarapennypacker.com.

　　Matthew Cordell is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the 2018 Caldecott winner Wolf in the Snow. He is also the author and illustrator of Trouble Gum and the illustrator of If the S in Moose Comes Loose, Toot Toot Zoom!, Mighty Casey, Righty and Lefty, and Toby and the Snowflakes, which was written by his wife. Matthew lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, writer Julie Halpern, and their daughter, Romy.